The Democratic Highland Republic of Ardu is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Alexandre Beaumont with a fair hand, and remarkable for its keen interest in outer space, anti-smoking policies, and otherworldly petting zoo. The compassionate, democratic population of 1.56 billion Arduans are free to do what they want with their own bodies, and vote for whomever they like in elections; if they go into business, however, they are regulated to within an inch of their lives.

The large, socially-minded, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Ardaven. The average income tax rate is 80.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Arduan economy, worth 213 trillion DFS a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is fairly diversified, is led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Basket Weaving. Average income is an impressive 136,857 DFS, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The government seeks peaceful forum with terrorists, the government hopes that Federation janitors overhear all of the good gossip, high school boys are required to pass vigorous self-mastery and sensitivity training to graduate, and elections have become procedural nightmares due to voters persistently rejecting candidates. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ardu's national animal is the Bandit Shark, which frolics freely in the nation's sparkling oceans, and its national religion is Socialism.

Ardu is ranked 123,282^nd in the world and 78^th in Eladria for Largest Manufacturing Sector, scoring 9,827.57 on the Gooback-Jerbs Productivity Index.