The Republic of Ulm 254 is a massive, genial nation, notable for its ritual sacrifices, smutty television, and compulsory gun ownership. The cynical, devout population of 1.439 billion Ulm 254ians 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, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Administration. The average income tax rate is 57.9%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming Ulm 254ian economy, worth 159 trillion Ducats a year, is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Basket Weaving, and Tourism. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 110,775 Ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Universities now offer degrees in cycling etiquette, metal detectors at school gates make sure that teenagers are carrying at least one sidearm, veteran cops reminisce over their heavy armor days, and the nation frequently scolds its subject territories for staying up past bedtime. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 254's national animal is the Bear, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ulm 254 is ranked 279,219^th in the world and 349^th in Swabian autonomous region for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring -8.12 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.