The Republic of Ulm 338 is a massive, orderly nation, remarkable for its keen interest in outer space, frequent executions, and compulsory military service. The compassionate, cynical, devout population of 1.491 billion Ulm 338ians 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 Education. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 67.9%.

The frighteningly efficient Ulm 338ian economy, worth 159 trillion Ducats a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Woodchip Exports, and Furniture Restoration. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is an impressive 106,804 Ducats, with the richest citizens earning 7.7 times as much as the poorest.

A cyber-war between file sharers and the music industry formats hard drives across the country, five-year-olds chanting "Little Miss Muffet" are accused of bullying arachnophobes, diplomatic fallout tends to be much more dangerous than radioactive fallout, and tombstones are ten feet high to accommodate the names of inhabitants. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ulm 338's national animal is the Bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Ulm 338 is ranked 293,617^th in the world and 444^th in Swabian autonomous region for Largest Welfare Programs, scoring 144.15 on the Safety Net Mesh Density Rating.