The Socialist Republic of Ashkia is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Ash d'al Kria with an iron fist, and renowned for its anti-smoking policies, digital currency, and frequent executions. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical, devout population of 1.843 billion Ashkians 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, corrupt, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Kia. The average income tax rate is 62.5%.

The thriving Ashkian economy, worth 220 trillion Ashes a year, is led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Tourism, and Book Publishing. Black market activity is extensive. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is an impressive 119,591 Ashes, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.4 times as much as the poorest.

Factories are regularly demolished to make way for low-cost housing areas, the government has legalised small-scale capitalism, exceptionally talented workers are praised more than Revolutionary heroes, and the nation's new foreign policy of 'very disproportionate retribution' has its neighbors on edge. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ashkia's national animal is the Komodo, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Azhkinism.

Ashkia is ranked 157,464^th in the world and 8,391^st in Lazarus for Most Valuable International Artwork, with zero Bank.