The Republic of January 3rd is a very large, safe nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape, enslaved workforce, and ban on automobiles. The compassionate, democratic, devout population of 246 million January 3rdians are prohibited from doing almost everything except voting, which they do timidly and conservatively.

The medium-sized, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Spirituality, Defense, and Welfare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 38.8%.

The sizeable but inefficient January 3rdian economy, worth 14.3 trillion Cards a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a slick, highly efficient, broadly diversified black market in Beef-Based Agriculture, Woodchip Exports, Door-to-door Insurance Sales, and Retail. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is 57,995 Cards, but there is a significant disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 176,862 per year while the poor average 14,751, a ratio of 12.0 to 1.

Access to the woods is only granted to those who bring a small shrubbery, the only soporific permitted during sermons is the preacher's voice, acute politicians deride opposition members for being obtuse, and citizens are overwhelmed by beautiful simulacra. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. January 3rd's national animal is the Card, which can occasionally be seen sifting through garbage in the nation's cities.

January 3rd is ranked 15,465^th in the world and 2^nd in Calendar for Safest, scoring 115.68 on the Bubble-Rapp Safety Rating.