The United Socialist States of Alternan is a huge, safe nation, notable for its pith helmet sales, triple-decker prams, and free-roaming dinosaurs. The hard-nosed, hard-working, devout population of 767 million Alternanians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Education, Defense, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Solburg. The average income tax rate is 58.7%.

The very strong Alternanian economy, worth 66.8 trillion Res a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, and Uranium Mining. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 87,084 Res, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.9 times as much as the poorest.

Beating enemies to death with a baseball bat is legal if done within nine innings, insolent whistleblowers receive their just desserts on deserted isles, the arms industry is strictly regulated, and most of the population has had bad experiences with hoes. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Alternan's national animal is the Red Horse, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Alternan is ranked 46,539^th in the world and 155^th in Europe for Largest Black Market, with 3.04 trillion Standard Monetary Units.