The Swabian Autonomous Zone of Ulm 23 is a massive, cultured nation, notable for its museums and concert halls, infamous sell-swords, and lack of airports. The hard-nosed, cynical, devout population of 2.142 billion Ulm 23ians 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 large, corrupt, socially-minded, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Chemki. The average income tax rate is 77.3%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 23ian economy, worth 301 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 Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, Trout Farming, and Furniture Restoration. 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 140,655 Ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.9 times as much as the poorest.

Confused drunks wake up to irate drill sergeants whipping them into shape, people reciting Shakespeare have become a common sight, children have nightmares about the eerie red glow and constant whirring of newly-installed machines, and Maths Professor Barbie is the most popular toy for boys and girls alike. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 23's national animal is the Bear, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ulm 23 is ranked 276,630^th in the world and 328^th in Swabian autonomous region for Nicest Citizens, with 5.02 average smiles per day.