The Most Serene Republic of Ulm 189 is a massive, efficient nation, remarkable for its enslaved workforce, prohibition of alcohol, and public floggings. The hard-nosed, cynical, devout population of 1.89 billion Ulm 189ians are ruled without fear or favor by a psychotic dictator, who outlaws just about everything and refers to the populace as "my little playthings."

The medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Industry, and Law & Order. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 43.4%.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 189ian economy, worth 263 trillion rubles a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Black market activity is extensive. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 139,280 rubles, with the richest citizens earning 6.1 times as much as the poorest.

The threat of economic apocalypse brings out the best in people, tampons are used as cheap fishing bobbers, 50% of adverts on children's television are for clothes made of cotton wool, and six-year-old children playing dress-up are viewed with suspicion. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 189's national animal is the emu, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Ulm 189 is ranked 111,421^st in the world and 388^th in Swabian autonomous region for Highest Average Tax Rates, with 43.45 Effective Tax Rate.