The State of Barksdale is a mammoth, socially progressive nation, ruled by Governor Gus Kinsolving with a fair hand, and notable for its compulsory military service. The hard-working, democratic population of 6.218 billion Barksdaleans have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The relatively small government juggles the competing demands of Welfare, Education, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Selma. The average income tax rate is 11.0%.

The Barksdalean economy, worth 332 trillion dollars a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Cheese Exports industry, with major contributions from Trout Farming, Soda Sales, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. Average income is 53,512 dollars, with the richest citizens earning 5.3 times as much as the poorest.

The police are destroying all photographic evidence of their own existence, some of the country's most famous photographers are animals, politicians who vacation in East Lebatuck lose their jobs upon their return, and blind dates reemerge as a necessary evil in the quest for love. Crime, especially youth-related, is relatively low. Barksdale's national animal is the alligator, which frolics freely in the nation's sparkling oceans, and its national religion is Christianity.

Barksdale is ranked 196,884^th in the world and 12^th in Dixie for Highest Unexpected Death Rate, scoring 31.13 on the Bus Surprisal Index.