The Federal Republic of Photan is a massive, efficient nation, ruled by Vorteen Of San Ming with an iron fist, and remarkable for its smutty television, keen interest in outer space, and hatred of cheese. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical, humorless, devout population of 4.321 billion Photanians 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 enormous, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Administration, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Shveersterdam. The average income tax rate is 87.3%.

The frighteningly efficient Photanian economy, worth 709 trillion bahtons a year, is quite specialized and mostly comprised of black market activity, especially in Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, Tourism, and Woodchip Exports. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is an impressive 164,186 bahtons, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.9 times as much as the poorest.

The government is dead set on letting people rest in peace, it's normal to start working life with crippling financial debt, government agents stalk the aisles of grocery stores for out-of-stock medications, and referenda are held for every conceivable government action. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Photan's national animal is the Rooster, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Photan is ranked 331,355^th in the world and 5,671^st in The North Pacific for Most Pacifist, with 4.15 cheeks turned per day.