The Queendom of Essex is a colossal, genial nation, notable for its museums and concert halls, daily referendums, and absence of drug laws. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic, cheerful, devout population of 5.228 billion Essexians live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

The medium-sized, liberal, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Industry, Education, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Washington. The average income tax rate is 73.7%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Essexian economy, worth a remarkable 1,128 trillion dollars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Retail, Information Technology, and Book Publishing. Average income is an amazing 215,929 dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.7 times as much as the poorest.

The nation's universities are often mistaken for foreign embassies, the secret ingredient is love (and MSG), wealthy pranksters dump refuse on unsuspecting citizens from up high, and sharks are enjoying their deliveries of canned food. Crime is totally unknown. Essex's national animal is the eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Essex is ranked 260,153^rd in the world and 4,163^rd in Ambition for Largest Black Market, with 102 billion Standard Monetary Units.