And so we have arrived at Week 8 of our countdown to the summer by looking back at all the great things about iGosia. This is the last week as tourist season officially begins in iGosia this coming weekend. We so excited! So this week, as we remember the greatness that is iGosia, we also want to focus on important aspects as you prepare for your next visit.

Basic Facts

Official Name – People’s Republic of iGosia

Climate – The climate is officially ridiculously hot during the tourist season (mid-May through the end of July). Occasionally the earlier parts of the tourist season can have a lot of rain. In those cases, you will need to stay on the porch.

Population – iGosia was recently recognized as the third fastest growing fictional country of all time. Several times a year new citizens are welcomed and celebrated into the One Tribe that iGosians claim to be. The population passed the 3000 mark in the summer of 2011 and continues to add several hundred annually.

Monetary Unit – iGo. The exchange rate for the iGo is easily the most volatile exchange rate of any nation’s currency. Typically, the iGo is worth more than the US Dollar. How much more is subject to the decision of the currency exchange vendors of the day. It sounds crazy, but it just works.

Language – iGosian. This language has no written form. Most iGosians have learned English over the years, but the iGosian accent consistently causes difficulty for tourists as they first arrive.

Economic Summary – #1 on the list when it comes to sustaining the economy of iGosia is Tourism. As a result, most iGosians are employed in either the tourist, travel, or security industry, although competition for jobs is non-existent due to cultural standards. You basically just have to volunteer for a job first and it is yours. Many have suggested that this lack of job competition has led to the problems with the iGosian Airways baggage handling department; however, no studies have confirmed these suggestions, and none have been conducted. #2 is Agriculture. iGosians grow cucumbers and tomatoes and serve them at practically every meal. A very small percentage of farmers grow rice. About 8% of the iGosian population is unemployed. Most of them resort to begging or in some cases thievery.

National Symbol – iGosia chooses a different national symbol each year. 2012 has been designated as the Year of the Elephant. Past national symbols include the armadillo, penguin, goat, giraffe, octopus (squid), moose, and owl for obvious reasons.

Government – iGosia is currently considered a mock Republic and they are ruled by a president and vice president. Not elected to office, both the president and VP took control in the early days of iGosia’s history and took their offices before anyone else could claim them. There is no end in sight for the rule and reign of these men, but fortunately for the people of iGosia, the President and VP are benevolent dictators.

Royalty –  Interestingly, iGosians insist that there is an iGosian line of royalty despite the complete lack of historical documents to back up these claims. Legend has it that the royal line is traced through a specific group of young college students known simply as Jimmy. Not even the ancient iGosian rhapsodoi had lore regarding this Jimmy. Even so, annually a new royal group are depicted on the face of iGo currency. Jimmy remains one of the great mysteries of iGosia, which is both how it should be and how it is.

And speaking of pseudo-royalty, the 2012 version of Jimmy arrived at the World Wide Headquarters of iGo Global today to begin their summer journey. All the signs are pointing to the opening of iGosian tourist season. Do you have your reservations secured? Some of you do, but some of you are still waiting to sign up as an iGosian for the summer. We need these wonderful volunteers at each Base Camp. If you can join us and show us your best iGosian accent at one of our three base camps in Denton or in Oklahoma or in Kansas, please let us know. You can find more info and sign up on our website. We hope to see you soon.