The Republic of Izern 98 is a massive, genial nation, notable for its free-roaming dinosaurs, ubiquitous missile silos, and suspicion of poets. The compassionate, cynical, devout population of 2.471 billion Izern 98ians are prohibited from doing almost everything except voting, which they do timidly and conservatively.

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 37.5%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming Izern 98ian economy, worth 257 trillion dollars a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Tourism, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Furniture Restoration. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 104,183 dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.2 times as much as the poorest.

People's charity begins and ends at home, the dartboard at the Izern 98ian Cancer Research Charity bears a picture of Leader's face, Pinkerton agents are called in to forcibly break up white collar strikes, and the men in trenchcoats hanging around playgrounds are actually police officers. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Izern 98's national animal is the kangaroo, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Izern 98 is ranked 249,070^th in the world and 689^th in Izern for Largest Welfare Programs, scoring 539.52 on the Safety Net Mesh Density Rating.