The Republic of Ulm 209 is a massive, orderly nation, notable for its disturbing lack of elderly people, keen interest in outer space, and state-planned economy. The compassionate, cynical, humorless, devout population of 1.496 billion Ulm 209ians 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, moralistic, socially-minded, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 63.3%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 209ian economy, worth 178 trillion Ducats a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a slick, highly efficient, fairly diversified black market in Information Technology, Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, and Beef-Based Agriculture. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is an impressive 119,087 Ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.7 times as much as the poorest.

People on the brink of death are put through unwanted and stressful procedures, the nation frequently scolds its subject territories for staying up past bedtime, war criminals are given full state funerals, and wildlife near farms is slowly becoming extinct. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 209's national animal is the Bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Ulm 209 is ranked 266,882^nd in the world and 287^th in Swabian autonomous region for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring -7 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.