The Republic of Ulm 296 is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its public floggings, multi-spousal wedding ceremonies, and avant-garde cinema. The compassionate, devout population of 1.507 billion Ulm 296ians are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.

The medium-sized, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 50.1%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 296ian economy, worth 163 trillion Ducats a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Woodchip Exports, and Tourism. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 108,652 Ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.4 times as much as the poorest.

Tax assessment offices double as polling stations, blind students are at a disadvantage now that test papers printed in braille have been discontinued, the elderly are killed softly with a song, and murder victims' families receive windfall payouts when the murderers are executed. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 296's national animal is the Bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Ulm 296 is ranked 86,906^th in the world and 176^th in Swabian autonomous region for Largest Trout Fishing Sector, scoring 3,356.32 on the Nemo Depletion Efficiency Index.