The Haze and Dreams of Cataryn is a mammoth, efficient nation, notable for its keen interest in outer space, frequent executions, and pith helmet sales. The hard-nosed, cynical, devout population of 5.68 billion Cataryns 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 large, corrupt, moralistic government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Administration. The average income tax rate is 53.4%.

The powerhouse Catarynian economy, worth 528 trillion forints a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Beef-Based Agriculture, Uranium Mining, and Cheese Exports. Black market activity is extensive. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 93,009 forints, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.1 times as much as the poorest.

The teaching of evolution has been banned, Brancalandian Brie isn't available anywhere in Cataryn, millions of devastated 7-year-olds are denied astronaut and ballerina training, and the main interest rates change daily based on the latest news story. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Cataryn's national animal is the goulash, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Cataryn is ranked 62,766^th in the world and 4^th in Abraxas for Most Extensive Public Healthcare, scoring 2,774.69 on the Theresa-Nightingale Rating.