The Commonwealth of Upperstand is a tiny, genial nation, renowned for its irreverence towards religion. The compassionate, democratic population of 9 million Upperstandians enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The medium-sized, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Welfare, Education, and Defense. The average income tax rate is 38.9%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Upperstandian economy, worth 419 billion kronor a year, is dominated by the Trout Farming industry, with significant contributions from Uranium Mining, Tourism, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is 46,610 kronor, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.8 times as much as the poorest.

A well-funded social safety net protects the unfortunate, genetic researchers have been expelled, organ donation is compulsory, and chrome-clad space marines are such stuff that dreams are made on. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Upperstand's national animal is the lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Upperstand is ranked 3,657^th in the world and 17^th in Horizon for Largest Trout Fishing Sector, scoring 13,038.17 on the Nemo Depletion Efficiency Index.