The Most Serene Republic of Piehu is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Geo with a fair hand, and remarkable for its public floggings, keen interest in outer space, and absence of drug laws. The hard-nosed, democratic population of 2.613 billion Piehuans hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The medium-sized, corrupt, liberal government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Nihil City. The average income tax rate is 81.5%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Piehuan economy, worth 742 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, broadly diversified black market in Information Technology, Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, and Retail. 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 amazing 284,179 Dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Piehuans believe manners maketh the leader, the comic book series 'Geo and the Villainous Corporate Cronies' is a best-seller, neighbouring countries pay to situate their nuclear power plants in Piehu, and the rich tend their gardens inside gated urban farming communities. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Piehu's national animal is the Shadow Dragon, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Piehu is ranked 160,990^th in the world and 2^nd in Conglomerate of Varied Opinions for Largest Welfare Programs, scoring 767.54 on the Safety Net Mesh Density Rating.