The Recusancy of Blessed Isles is a gargantuan, cultured nation, renowned for its museums and concert halls, keen interest in outer space, and frequent executions. The hard-nosed, cynical population of 29.224 billion Blessed Islanders 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 enormous, corrupt, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Environment, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New Troy. The average income tax rate is 84.9%.

The all-consuming Blessed Islesian economy, worth a remarkable 2,922 trillion Guineas a year, is quite specialized and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism and Book Publishing. Average income is 99,987 Guineas, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.2 times as much as the poorest.

The richest individuals apparently buy nothing but noodles and toilet paper, reporters who negatively comment on politicians' haircuts are cut from the news, weekly religious services often resemble campaign rallies, and military training in Blessed Isles emphasizes the tactical advantages of stabbing backs. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Blessed Isles's national animal is the Y Ddraig Goch, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Blessed Isles is ranked 15,743^rd in the world and 795^th in Osiris for Most Extensive Public Healthcare, scoring 5,421.27 on the Theresa-Nightingale Rating.