The Republic of Ulm 228 is a massive, cultured nation, notable for its keen interest in outer space, enslaved workforce, and compulsory gun ownership. The cynical, devout population of 1.498 billion Ulm 228ians 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 medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Administration. The average income tax rate is 59.5%.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 228ian economy, worth 181 trillion Ducats a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Basket Weaving, and Woodchip Exports. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 121,007 Ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.7 times as much as the poorest.

The government regularly hires contractors to construct high rise apartments, in the mighty jungle the lion once again sleeps tonight, every day's an auto-de-fé day, and one tree's worth of paperwork accompanies each imported log of timber. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 228's national animal is the Bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Ulm 228 is ranked 263,211^th in the world and 279^th in Swabian autonomous region for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring -6.71 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.