The Republic of Xtal- is a very large, environmentally stunning nation, remarkable for its closed borders, punitive income tax rates, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate population of 343 million Xtal-ians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The large government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Education. The average income tax rate is 56.1%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The Xtal-ian economy, worth 19.6 trillion Coins a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Furniture Restoration industry, with major contributions from Basket Weaving, Information Technology, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 57,275 Coins, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.0 times as much as the poorest.

It is popularly believed that "cheese every day keeps disaster away", it is a common belief that a sport isn't sport if there are no decapitations, students who refuse to pray are expelled from school, and Xtal-ian novella fans become unusually flustered when thinking about Leader. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Xtal-'s national animal is the Animal, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Xtal- is ranked 66,323^rd in the world and 27^th in Charleslandia for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring 3,328.53 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.