The Armed Republic of Ulm 197 is a massive, orderly nation, notable for its free-roaming dinosaurs, ubiquitous missile silos, and lack of airports. The hard-nosed, cynical, devout population of 1.904 billion Ulm 197ians are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The large, corrupt, moralistic government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Industry. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 68.7%.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 197ian economy, worth 226 trillion kronor a year, is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Woodchip Exports, and Basket Weaving. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is an impressive 118,821 kronor, with the richest citizens earning 7.3 times as much as the poorest.

The right to free speech is being drastically curtailed, prisoners due for execution often use their final statement to complain about soggy bread rolls, legend has it Leader's shower singing echoes through the halls of government, and Ulm 197 City is a police state during international summits. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 197's national animal is the unicorn, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ulm 197 is ranked 50,765^th in the world and 30^th in Swabian autonomous region for Highest Unexpected Death Rate, scoring 90.67 on the Bus Surprisal Index.