Answer to Puzzle Contest:

Ecuador. The "imaginary circle" was the equator, "capital-ize" related to Ecuador's capital, Quito. Remove, the 'o' and you get quit ("cease"). The "empire" hint was the Incan Empire, or in-can, like soups and vegetables in a grocery store. Yes, I'm silly.

Winner: Charles Pavlack

Contest Statistics: Newsletter sent to 290112 subscribers, 5 answers submitted, 4 answers correct, 80.00% accuracy. Chance of a correct answer winning: 25.00%.