The Swabian Autonomous Zone of Ulm 31 is a massive, genial nation, renowned for its closed borders, keen interest in outer space, and compulsory gun ownership. The compassionate, cynical, devout population of 2.09 billion Ulm 31ians 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 large, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Shuzan. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 67.9%.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 31ian economy, worth 267 trillion Ducats a year, is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Tourism, and Woodchip Exports. Black market activity is rampant. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 127,997 Ducats, with the richest citizens earning 8.9 times as much as the poorest.

A widely accepted trade policy is "tit-for-tat", traffic jams are a common sight due to construction work from a massive overhaul of the nation's freeways, business leaders commend the government for enacting an emissions reduction strategy that reduces no Ulm 31ian emissions at all, and taxpayers cringe whenever someone brings up the Former Antagonist Reparations Treaty. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 31's national animal is the Bear, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ulm 31 is ranked 29,219^th in the world and 56^th in Swabian autonomous region for Most Eco-Friendly Governments, scoring 2,708.14 on the Dolphin Recycling Awareness Index.