The Republic of Barold is a colossal, genial nation, remarkable for its keen interest in outer space, compulsory military service, and devotion to social welfare. The hard-working, democratic, devout population of 3.567 billion Baroldians enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Welfare, and Spirituality. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 36.5%.

The strong Baroldian economy, worth 258 trillion Ducats a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Basket Weaving, and Cheese Exports. Average income is 72,512 Ducats, with the richest citizens earning 7.6 times as much as the poorest.

Pinkerton agents are called in to forcibly break up white collar strikes, church and state are inseparable in their influence on education, truncheon-mounted cameras record the beating of criminals in dynamic HD detail, and endangered species are effective hostages against the Baroldian military. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Barold's national animal is the Eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Barold is ranked 84,074^th in the world and 19^th in Swabia for Highest Disposable Incomes, with 46,045.58 Standard Monetary Units.