The Democratic Republic of Zarislav is a titanic, orderly nation, renowned for its closed borders, pith helmet sales, and compulsory military service. The hard-nosed, cynical population of 10.24 billion Zarislavians 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 medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Defense, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 42.8%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Zarislavian economy, worth a remarkable 1,088 trillion Dollars a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a large, well-organized, fairly diversified black market in Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, Uranium Mining, and Furniture Restoration. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is an impressive 106,320 Dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

The army consists of only generals and grunts, stony-faced ratings board panelists are unamused by free lap dances, arts classes now teach children how to sketch the perfect sine curve, and a law degree is required before telling people not to drink and drive. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Zarislav's national animal is the Armadilo, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Zarislav is ranked 214,913^th in the world and 4^th in The Realm of Varangia for Highest Drug Use, scoring 84.79 on the Pineapple Fondness Rating.