The Federal Republic of The Highland Union is a colossal, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by PM Paul DeGraff with an even hand, and notable for its punitive income tax rates, restrictive gun laws, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate population of 7.05 billion Highlanders enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The large government juggles the competing demands of Healthcare, Administration, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Warwick. The average income tax rate is 82.5%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Highlandic economy, worth a remarkable 1,065 trillion dollars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Book Publishing, and Retail. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 151,126 dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The latest electric jet fighter has almost enough battery charge to reach cruising altitude -- provided you don't use the radar, the "right of sanctuary" stops police pursuit into temples and churches, defense lawyers suggestively note to juries how flagrantly happy victims were, and several citizens have complained about scientists abducting their pets for experimentation. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. The Highland Union's national animal is the gryphon, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

The Highland Union is ranked 13,617^th in the world and 565^th in The North Pacific for Lowest Crime Rates, with 95.89 law-abiding acts per hour.