The Grand Duchy of Istiniar is a gargantuan, efficient nation, renowned for its daily referendums, frequent executions, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, hard-working population of 18.277 billion Istiniarians 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 Law & Order, Education, and Welfare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Istiniar. The average income tax rate is 55.5%.

The thriving Istiniarian economy, worth a remarkable 1,157 trillion denars a year, is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Uranium Mining, Woodchip Exports, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 63,320 denars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.3 times as much as the poorest.

Voting for pro-Bigtopian candidates is voluntary, high school bands practice by moonlight, the right to free speech is being drastically curtailed, and coffee cups have grown in size to accommodate the huge ingredients list. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Istiniar's national animal is the wolf, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Istiniar is ranked 55,094^th in the world and 4^th in Lennart for Most Patriotic, with 29.48 flags saluted per person per day.