The District of Characene is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, ruled by Liard with a fair hand, and notable for its complete lack of public education, complete absence of social welfare, and spontaneously combusting cars. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 28.513 billion Charmings live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

The minute, liberal, pro-business, outspoken government, or what there is of one, is solely concerned with Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of District City. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 4.9%.

The very strong Characenean economy, worth 998 trillion aurums a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is quite specialized and led by the Retail industry, with major contributions from Woodchip Exports, Automobile Manufacturing, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. Average income is 35,010 aurums, but there is a vast disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 238,030 per year while the poor average 1,881, a ratio of 126 to 1.

Citizens are enjoying a recent large cut in taxes, Characene has designated District City as its capital city, Liard has just been declared ruler of Characene in an international press conference, and the government has declined to declare any particular religion as its 'official' one. Crime is a major problem, probably because of the absence of a police force. Characene's national animal is the bovina.

Characene is ranked 63,704^th in the world and 1^st in Kuwait for Smartest Citizens, with 40.29 quips per hour.