The Republic of Budace is a fledgling, genial nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape and compulsory military service. The compassionate, cynical, devout population of 6 million Budaceans 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, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Spirituality, Welfare, and Defense. The average income tax rate is 33.5%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Budacean economy, worth 240 billion pesos a year, is led by the Automobile Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Basket Weaving, Cheese Exports, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. Average income is 40,007 pesos, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.6 times as much as the poorest.

Surveillance cameras are banned, the diplomatic corps stinks, odysseying merchant sailors swear that they've heard sirens in the western seas, and doctors refer to inner-cities as newbie zones. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Budace's national animal is the cobra, which can occasionally be seen sifting through garbage in the nation's cities.

Budace is ranked 331,184^th in the world and 18^th in Unbound for Largest Black Market, with zero Standard Monetary Units.