The Republic of Rio is a gargantuan, efficient nation, ruled by Leader with an iron fist, and remarkable for its keen interest in outer space, punitive income tax rates, and suspicion of poets. The hard-nosed, cynical, humorless, devout population of 29.459 billion Rioans are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

The large, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Industry, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Rio City. The average income tax rate is 61.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming Rioan economy, worth a remarkable 2,246 trillion Rios a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Woodchip Exports, and Furniture Restoration. Black market activity is extensive. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 76,242 Rios, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.6 times as much as the poorest.

The nation's diplomatic missives are now delivered via sniper rifle, marijuana is legal in the privacy of your own home, political activists are routinely executed, and wealthy parents-to-be can select their perfect baby. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Rio's national animal is the parrot, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies, and its national religion is a major religion.

Rio is ranked 304,885^th in the world and 3^rd in atlantiantic for Most Compassionate Citizens, scoring 23.71 on the Kitten Softness Rating.