The Empire of Bayaam is a large, orderly nation, notable for its compulsory military service, irreverence towards religion, and restrictive gun laws. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 187 million Bayaamians are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Administration. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 30.4%.

The strong Bayaamian economy, worth 9.30 trillion Bayaames a year, is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing, Trout Farming, and Pizza Delivery. Average income is 49,709 Bayaames, with the richest citizens earning 6.7 times as much as the poorest.

Coastal cities are being moved a dozen miles inland to reduce flooding risk, genetic researchers have been expelled, a PhD just ain't what it used to be, and the latest Harry Potter book is a bestseller. Crime, especially youth-related, is well under control, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Bayaam's national animal is the Bayaamian Swordfish.

Bayaam is ranked 189,123^rd in the world and 9,994^th in Lazarus for Highest Disposable Incomes, with 34,597.88 Standard Monetary Units.