The Republic of Ulm 218 is a massive, cultured nation, renowned for its enslaved workforce, ubiquitous missile silos, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, cynical, humorless, devout population of 1.444 billion Ulm 218ians are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

The medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Defense, and Law & Order. The average income tax rate is 61.0%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 218ian economy, worth 161 trillion Ducats a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Furniture Restoration. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 111,541 Ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Women across the country are tying the knot, citizens need to demonstrate a complete set of dental records to throw five bucks in a hobo's hat, commuters travel in zigzags to avoid stalking accusations, and recent events have left citizens both shaken and stirred. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 218's national animal is the Bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Ulm 218 is ranked 34,791^st in the world and 157^th in Swabian autonomous region for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 230.86 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.