The Republic of Ulm 288 is a massive, safe nation, renowned for its zero percent divorce rate, anti-smoking policies, and frequent executions. The compassionate, cynical, humorless, devout population of 1.461 billion Ulm 288ians 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 Law & Order, Defense, and Administration. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 47.4%.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 288ian economy, worth 160 trillion Ducats a year, is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Furniture Restoration. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 110,021 Ducats, but there is a significant disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 402,209 per year while the poor average 21,347, a ratio of 18.8 to 1.

A referendum must be held in order for any new law to be passed, military officers are given medals for disobeying orders, government police forces protect public schools from the threat of protest, and pallbearers at military funerals dive for cover when they hear the three-volley salute. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 288's national animal is the Bear, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ulm 288 is ranked 53,960^th in the world and 349^th in Swabian autonomous region for Highest Average Incomes, with 110,021.55 Standard Monetary Units.