The Shield Commonwealth of Mander is a gargantuan, safe nation, ruled by Thegn Algernop Pickering with an even hand, and renowned for its compulsory military service, keen interest in outer space, and pith helmet sales. The compassionate, hard-working, devout population of 10.685 billion Manderians 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 government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Newport City. The average income tax rate is 28.4%.

The thriving Manderian economy, worth 872 trillion thalers a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing, Information Technology, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Average income is 81,675 thalers, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.2 times as much as the poorest.

Most ambassadors from Mander retire only a few years after being appointed, it is illegal to have the wrong clock time showing on your microwave oven, the mentally ill are given high powered automatic weapons for "catharsis therapy", and matryoshka dolls resembling nested Death Stars are commonly sold. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Mander's national animal is the shark, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is New Avalon Catholic Church.

Mander is ranked 116,738^th in the world and 4^th in Fredonia for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring 1,216.7 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.