Pontinia

The Commonwealth of Pontinia is a very large, safe nation, notable for its burgeoning eagle population. Its compassionate, intelligent population of 50 million have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The enormous government juggles the competing demands of Social Welfare, Education, and Religion & Spirituality. The average income tax rate is 32%, but much higher for the wealthy. A healthy private sector is led by the Furniture Restoration, Book Publishing, and Pizza Delivery industries.

Politicians are losing their jobs in a plan to make the government 'leaner and fitter', only fully-fledged members of MENSA are allowed to vote, school uniforms are compulsory, and dog breeding has been banned in accordance with recent animal experimentation laws. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Pontinia's national animal is the eagle, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the sovereign.

Pontinia is ranked 173rd in the region and 69,642nd in the world for Most Cultured. Pontinia is ranked 76th in the region and 35,527th in the world for Safest Nations. Pontinia is ranked 77th in the region and 26,995th in the world for Nudest. Pontinia is ranked 89th in the region and 51,937th in the world for Fastest-Growing Economies. Pontinia is ranked 147th in the region and 74,376th in the world for Largest Gambling Industry. Pontinia is ranked 131st in the region and 70,947th in the world for Largest Retail Sector. Pontinia is ranked 86th in the region and 44,305th in the world for Most Subsidized Industry. Pontinia is ranked 66th in the region and 32,692nd in the world for Most Devout Nations. Pontinia is ranked 90th in the region and 33,005th in the world for Most Income Equality. Pontinia is ranked 149th in the region and 63,653rd in the world for Largest Information Technology Sector. Pontinia is ranked 72,754th in the world for Largest Arms Manufacturing Sector.

Political Viewpoint

Pontinia is a strong believer in, and protector of, human rights and freedoms. It is classed as a New York Times Democracy by the NSUN. Pontinia will not back down unless is can be shown categorically that it has made an error (which does not happen very often), and will not hesitate to fight for what it believes is right. Corporations are subject to strict controls in Pontinia, because, in the past, unscrupulous businesses devastated large areas of Pontinia's much-cherished rainforest to access the uranium deposit beneath it, having promised to preserve the natural habitat. As a result, large areas of the county are now desolate wastelands, the national animal, the eagle, is an endangered species, and Pontinia has some of the tightest controls on industry in the region.

Military

Pontinia's army is of less-than-average size, but is highly efficient and well-trained. Pontinia's navy is very well-equipped, with many of its shis based on Proteus designs - the best available. Most notable is the CAC Hannibal, a highly advanced Assault Carrier, considered to be one of the best in the world. It also uses several highly advanced submarines, such as the CNS Victor attack submarine, and is in the process of deploying its first super-dreadnought ship - the Grecia class. Pontinia's air force is the largest of its three armed forces. It is larger than the air force of any country of comparable size, and is made up of highly trained pilots. The majority of its forces are made up of Artemis fighter-bombers, and uses highly advanced carriers such as the CAS Agamemnon - an air-carrier which Pontinia bought from Proteus for an undisclosed sum.

Government Officials

Head of State: Jonathan Andersen
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Alexander Wentworth
Minsiter of Internal Affairs: William Armstrong
Ambassador: James Pickering
United Nations Representative: Arthur Redburn
Minister for Industry and Commerce: Henry Jackson
Minister for Science and Medicine: Rebecca Lewis
Minister for Education: Sarah Webster
Minister for the Environment: Alice Freeman
Chief Military Co-Ordinator: Charles Highbury
Chief Naval Officer: John Carlton
United Nations Representative: Rachel Carling
Minister for Religion: Sofia Chu