The Empire of Varradiz is a large, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its daily referendums, triple-decker prams, and complete absence of social welfare. The hard-nosed, devout population of 75 million Varradizians are highly moralistic and fiercely conservative, in the sense that they tend to believe most things should be outlawed. People who have good jobs and work quietly at them are lauded; others are viewed with suspicion.

The large, moralistic government juggles the competing demands of Spirituality, Law & Order, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 46.9%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The sizeable but inefficient Varradizian economy, worth 2.75 trillion Platinums a year, is led by the Book Publishing industry, with major contributions from Woodchip Exports, Basket Weaving, and Pizza Delivery. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 36,727 Platinums, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.4 times as much as the poorest.

Private law firms are unheard of, boys who even ask about cheerleading are placed on the Sex Offenders Register, group photos of the members of parliament are often mistaken for family reunions, and truncheon-mounted cameras record the beating of criminals in dynamic HD detail. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Varradiz's national animal is the Raven, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Varradiz is ranked 146,445^th in the world and 383^rd in Concord for Most Subsidized Industry, scoring 616.61 on the Gilded Widget Scale.