CIA World Factbook Entry - Zargstadt

The Armed Republic of Zargstadt: CIA World Factbook Entry

General Information:

Official Name: The Armed Republic of Zargstadt
Capital: Zargabad
Population: 8,000,000 (2024 estimate)
Official Languages: Freedish
Demonym: Zargist
Government Type: Armed Democratic Republic
Motto: “don't you tell me what to do!”
National Animal: The Wombat
Currency: Freedombuck (FBz)
GDP: 362 billion Freedombucks
Average Income: 45,287 Freedombucks
Time Zone: ZMT (Zargstadt Mean Time, UTC +2)

Geography and Environment

Zargstadt is a small, highly urbanized nation located in an mountainous coastal region, strewn with rivers and dense forest. Its geographic area spans approximately 30,000 square kilometers. The nation consists of five key provinces: Colt, Remington, Mossberg, Ruger, and the highly distinctive MEGACENTER, a sprawling, multistory commercial zone that is both a megastructure and a province in its own right.

Provinces:

Colt: Known as the administrative and political heart of Zargstadt, Colt houses key government buildings, military institutions, and the de facto capital. Its large avenues and many military buildings exemplify Zargstadt's commitment to a disciplined and mobilized society.
Remington: An industrial hub, home to manufacturing facilities for vehicles, firearms, and military equipment. It is known for its highly efficient production plants and its role in maintaining Zargstadt's self-reliant defense infrastructure.
Mossberg: Zargstadt’s rural province, famed for its trout farming industry. Mossberg is the breadbasket of the nation, producing not only fish but also much of the nation’s food supply. The wide, peaceful lakes are juxtaposed against the nation’s militarized nature, providing a rare glimpse of Zargstadt's untouched natural beauty.
Ruger: A technology-driven province, Ruger serves as the nation's information technology and research center. Despite Zargstadt’s focus on militarization, Ruger is home to Zargstadt’s leading universities and research labs.
MEGACENTER: A marvel of architectural and commercial engineering, MEGACENTER is a massive multistory car park and shopping complex, stretching miles across the horizon. This province provides a hub for commerce, entertainment, and tourism. Often considered the face of Zargstadt’s consumer culture, MEGACENTER is where the nation’s citizens and visitors indulge in the many freedoms the country affords, from unrestricted shopping to personal vehicle exhibitions.

People and Society

Zargstadt is home to approximately 8 million Sovereign Citizens, the official designation for the nation's population. Citizens are bound by a sense of personal responsibility and civic duty, stemming largely from the country’s compulsory military service and mandatory firearms ownership.
Demographics:

Ethnic Composition: Multicultural, Zargstadt promotes civic nationalism.
Religious Affiliations: The majority of the population identifies as adherents of the "Castle Doctrine," a loosely organized belief system emphasizing the sacred right to life and property. Minority religions are practiced freely, with no official state religion.
Population Density: Roughly 267 people per square kilometer, with denser concentrations in the urbanized provinces like MEGACENTER and Colt.

Social Structure and Civil Rights:

Zargstadt’s society emphasizes a balance between individual freedom and collective order. While Sovereign Citizens enjoy civil rights such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and economic liberties, these rights are exercised within the framework of national duty. All Zargists undergo compulsory military service upon reaching adulthood, typically at the age of 18. The completion of this service is a point of national pride and plays a crucial role in shaping each citizen’s identity and status in society.

There are, however, limitations on the extent of personal freedoms, particularly when it comes to identity. Zargstadt maintains a tight civil discourse, and divisions along ethnic, religious, or cultural lines are heavily discouraged. Fringe groups and religious sects are heavily monitored.

Government and Politics

Zargstadt is a democratic republic where sovereignty rests with the citizens, but decision-making power is concentrated in the hands of a medium-sized but powerful government. The government is structured with a strong emphasis on defense, but it also prioritizes education and welfare, reflecting its commitment to maintaining a well-rounded, highly skilled, and self-sufficient populace.

Executive Branch:

Super Duper Mega Ultra President: The head of state and government, elected once every decade.

Legislative Branch:

The Diet: A unicameral body, elected by the citizens every 5 years, responsible for passing laws and overseeing the national budget. Parliamentary sessions are frequent, but electoral terms are notably long by international standards, designed to promote stability and minimize political volatility.

Judicial Branch:

Uber Court: The highest legal authority, tasked with interpreting the constitution and ensuring laws align with Zargstadt’s values of national security, civil order, and personal liberty.

Political System:

Elections are held every 5 years. Zargists have the right to vote, but political campaigns are tightly regulated. The government endorses a “national unity” model, which discourages fractious or divisive political parties. While a range of political ideologies exists, the military’s influence in politics ensures a consistent national focus on security, economic growth, and minimal social unrest.

Economy

The Zargist economy is diverse and highly self-reliant, with major contributions from agriculture, technology, and services. Zargstadt’s total GDP is estimated at 362 billion Freedombucks, with the average income standing at 45,287 Freedombucks per year. The income distribution is notably egalitarian, with the wealthiest citizens earning only 2.8 times as much as the poorest. This is largely due to government regulation and wealth redistribution policies that favor a balanced society over extreme economic inequality.

Key Industries:

Trout Farming: The backbone of Zargstadt's economy, trout farming is centered in the Mossberg province. Zargstadt exports high-quality freshwater fish, renowned for their taste and sustainability, to neighboring countries and global markets. The industry benefits from Zargstadt’s clean lakes and rigorous environmental protections.
Information Technology: Ruger province is home to Zargstadt’s burgeoning tech sector. IT companies, supported by government grants, produce software, cybersecurity solutions, and defense technologies. The nation's emphasis on education, particularly in science and technology, has cultivated a skilled workforce that is globally competitive.
Pizza Delivery: Zargstadt’s unique culture of convenience is reflected in its highly efficient pizza delivery industry, which accounts for a surprisingly large portion of the economy. Local chains dominate the market, emphasizing speed, customization, and the nation’s love for both fast food and personal vehicles.
Door-to-door Insurance Sales: Another hallmark of Zargist society, this sector thrives on the citizens' mandatory firearms ownership and high demand for personal property insurance. Insurance salespeople traverse the nation, providing bespoke coverage plans to safeguard citizens’ homes, vehicles, and firearms.

Income Tax and Fiscal Policy:

The average income tax rate in Zargstadt is 19.7%, though the wealthiest citizens face significantly higher rates to support the government’s welfare and education programs. The government also subsidizes key industries, including manufacturing, defense, and agriculture, ensuring that critical sectors remain competitive and self-sufficient.
Public Transport and Infrastructure:

Zargstadt's public transport system is practically non-existent due to the nation’s unique policy of issuing an SUV to every citizen at birth. Roads are expansive, well-maintained, and designed to accommodate high volumes of personal vehicles. The MEGACENTER province serves as a central hub for commerce, and its vast parking structure underscores the nation’s reliance on SUVs.

Defense and Security

Zargstadt is known worldwide for its emphasis on defense and security. The nation has compulsory military service for all citizens, with service starting at age 18 and lasting a minimum of two years. Many Zargists continue to serve in the reserves or join paramilitary organizations after their formal service is complete.

Military Policy:

Every household is required to possess firearms, and mandatory firearm training is a central component of the education system. Zargstadt boasts one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in the world, but due to the nation’s rigorous training programs and deep cultural respect for weapons, crime rates are nearly nonexistent. Firearms are seen not only as a means of defense but also as a symbol of national pride and personal responsibility.

The nation’s military forces are highly trained and technologically advanced, drawing on the resources of the Ruger province’s IT sector. Defense spending makes up a large portion of the national budget, and Zargstadt’s armed forces are considered one of the most disciplined and well-equipped for a nation of its size.
Education and Welfare

Zargstadt places a strong emphasis on education, particularly in fields related to science, technology, and defense. The government prioritizes funding for educational programs, ensuring that citizens are well-prepared for both military service and participation in the nation’s high-tech economy. Conventional art is not formally taught in school, however the Zargstadt government regularly commissions art to beautify and edify the land of Zargstadt.

Education System:

The education system in Zargstadt is comprehensive and publicly funded. Students receive extensive training in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, alongside mandatory military education. This dual focus prepares citizens for careers in both the private sector and national defense. Higher education is also heavily subsidized, with top universities located in Ruger province specializing in technology and defense studies.

Welfare Programs:

While the government of Zargstadt is primarily focused on defense and security, it also maintains a range of welfare programs aimed at ensuring citizens' well-being. Universal healthcare is provided, though it is closely tied to military service; veterans receive preferential treatment in healthcare access and social services. Additionally, unemployment and disability benefits are available, although the country’s low unemployment rate (largely due to the mandatory service programs) means these benefits are rarely accessed.

Culture and Society

Zargist culture is shaped by its disciplined values, individualism, and self-reliance. Citizens take great pride in their national identity, which is built around the notion of Sovereign Citizenship—a blend of personal freedom and civic duty. While Zargists enjoy a wide range of personal liberties, these are balanced against the demands of a highly organized and security-conscious society. Personal freedom is vast, but freedom to affect the decisions of others is highly regulated.

Citizens enjoy a consumer-driven lifestyle, with access to abundant goods and services, particularly in the MEGACENTER province. Here, Zargists indulge in shopping, dining, and entertainment, all while celebrating their national values of strength, freedom, and personal responsibility.

Holidays and Festivals:

Arms Day: A national holiday celebrating the right to bear arms and the importance of personal defense.
Service Week: An annual event where citizens honor their military service and engage in public displays of civic pride, including parades, military drills, and community projects.
Founding Day: A commemoration of the establishment of Zargstadt, marked by political speeches, fireworks, and nationalistic displays.

National Symbols:

The Wombat: a beloved and protected species in Zargstadt, symbolizes resilience and community.
AR-15: Local folk deity
Hipoint: Symbol of Shame / Ignorance (see: dunce cap)
Patriot Thundermeister XL 4x4 Offroad Kingmaster Edition™️: The most common form of transport in Zargstadt

Sports and Recreation:

Zargists are highly active in shooting sports, particularly competitive marksmanship. Other popular activities include off-roading (thanks to the universal SUV ownership), hunting, and wilderness survival training.

International Relations

Zargstadt is currently in a cold war with Colboria. Otherwise, it maintains a policy of neutrality but is well-armed and highly self-reliant. It maintains cordial trade relations with most neighboring countries, primarily exporting trout and importing raw materials for its manufacturing sector.

Zargstadt is interested in maintaining its trade links and is supportive of increasing free trade in Anduava against the monopolistic tendencies of Colboria.

Conclusion

The Armed Republic of Zargstadt stands as a unique blend of militaristic discipline, personal freedom, and economic self-reliance. With its diverse economy, strong defense policies, and commitment to balancing individual liberty with national security, Zargstadt has carved out a distinctive place in the global order. Its citizens, bound by duty and bolstered by state-of-the-art infrastructure, enjoy a peaceful, orderly, and secure existence within the boundaries of this tightly governed yet freedom-loving nation.

Interesting Facts:

Zargstadt is the global leader in Trout exports, supplying nearly 40% of Anduava's trout.
The nation's pizza delivery sector is famed for its efficiency, with a nationwide 15-minute delivery guarantee.
Zargstadt's low crime rate is often attributed to its progressive social policies and the civic discipline instilled by military service.