The Atlantic Republic of The Asten Islands is a colossal, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by President Adrienne Laurent with an even hand, and remarkable for its museums and concert halls, absence of drug laws, and punitive income tax rates. The compassionate population of 6.337 billion Astians enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

The large government prioritizes Healthcare, although Education, Welfare, and Administration are also considered important, while Spirituality isn't funded at all. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Port David. The average income tax rate is 74.8%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Astian economy, worth 665 trillion Euros a year, is quite specialized and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Furniture Restoration. Average income is an impressive 105,004 Euros, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Journalists often nap through tedious police press briefings, everyone hates people who encourage hate, people often feel unbalanced by their daily commute, and the fire protection service is wholly government-funded. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. The Asten Islands's national animal is the Biscian Owl, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies, and its national religion is Atheism.

The Asten Islands is ranked 16,162^nd in the world and 318^th in Europe for Most Beautiful Environments, with 1,176.79 pounds of wildlife per square mile.