The Republic of Ulm 231 is a massive, cultured nation, notable for its keen interest in outer space, avant-garde cinema, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, cynical, devout population of 1.445 billion Ulm 231ians 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 Defense, Law & Order, and Administration. The average income tax rate is 74.7%.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 231ian economy, worth 179 trillion Ducats a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is broadly diversified, is led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Woodchip Exports. Average income is an impressive 124,553 Ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.3 times as much as the poorest.

The dish 'poisson avec poison' is only available on the black market, the government advises foreign diplomats to speak softly and carry a big bag of cash, exiles see that the line where the sky meets the sea is just clouds and rain, and Leader is worshipped as a god. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 231's national animal is the Bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Ulm 231 is ranked 180,546^th in the world and 179^th in Swabian autonomous region for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring 93.42 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.