The Republic of Ritake is a massive, socially progressive nation, notable for its smutty television, complete lack of prisons, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic population of 1.277 billion Ritakeans hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The medium-sized, liberal government juggles the competing demands of Education, Healthcare, and Welfare. The average income tax rate is 69.1%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ritakean economy, worth 155 trillion marks a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Retail, Book Publishing, and Basket Weaving. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is an impressive 122,091 marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.3 times as much as the poorest.

Polygraphs are relegated to the dungeon exhibit in castle museums, in a baffling press conference Leader proudly dismantled a broken door, write-in candidate 'Leader Sucks' is perennially popular, and for the sake of 'public interest' news programs tell viewers how to home-make Sarin gas bombs. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ritake's national animal is the swan, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Ritake is ranked 6,355^th in the world and 336^th in The North Pacific for Nicest Citizens, with 42.51 average smiles per day.