The Republic of Ulm 279 is a massive, genial nation, notable for its daily referendums, parental licensing program, and avant-garde cinema. The compassionate, cynical, humorless, devout population of 1.501 billion Ulm 279ians 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, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Administration. The average income tax rate is 45.8%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 279ian economy, worth 175 trillion Ducats a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 116,695 Ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.0 times as much as the poorest.

Access to the woods is only granted to those who bring a small shrubbery, extreme hiring regulations mean a job in Ulm 279 is often a lifetime appointment, citizens who leave the nation for work are instantly charged with treason, and executions often take hours as amateurs attempt to find veins. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 279's national animal is the Bear, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ulm 279 is ranked 239,953^rd in the world and 404^th in Swabian autonomous region for Largest Welfare Programs, scoring 606.69 on the Safety Net Mesh Density Rating.