The Emirate of Al Sahel is a huge, cultured nation, notable for its keen interest in outer space, avowedly heterosexual populace, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, cynical, devout population of 574 million Sahelis are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

The medium-sized, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Education, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Jasim Island. The average income tax rate is 48.8%.

The frighteningly efficient Saheli economy, worth 69.0 trillion Emreels a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Trout Farming, and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 120,137 Emreels, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.9 times as much as the poorest.

Buses are widely regarded as the safest way to travel, the world still seems flat to some people in space, students are explicitly allowed to write answers on their forearms before exams, and the 'kind of scrawny' 500 meter hurdle is a popular event. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Al Sahel's national animal is the Peregrine Falcon, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Al Sahel is ranked 295,274^th in the world and 11^th in The Union of the Worlds Nations for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring -8.38 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.