Only 23 million? In another game I play often, that would barely qualify as a Newb. You call that a nation? This is a nation!
The Nifty Republic of Tzorsland is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, ruled by The Master with an even hand, and renowned for its anti-smoking policies. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 19.516 billion are either ruled by a sleek, efficient government or a conglomerate of multinational corporations; it's difficult to tell which.
It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt, pro-business government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Education. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Eyesore. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Information Technology, Uranium Mining, and Woodchip Exports industries.
Cars speed down national highways while drivers sleep at the wheel, the CEO of Laws Incorporated must sign off on all new bills, all tariffs have been abolished, and mining is the nation's most dangerous occupation. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Tzorsland's national animal is the wild turkey, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is The Eye of Harmony Cult, and its currency is the Tzor.
Tzorsland is ranked 9th in The Pleiades and 11,653rd in the world for Safest, scoring 269.2 on the Bubble-Rapp Safety Rating.
But in the real world; you do realize that the "State" of California still out ranks you at 37 Million; Texas has 25 Million.