The Republic of Lightford is a titanic, cultured nation, ruled by Josip Pusztai with a fair hand, and renowned for its smutty television, keen interest in outer space, and ubiquitous missile silos. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic, cheerful population of 15.955 billion Lightfordians hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The large, liberal, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Defense, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Winterview City. The income tax rate is 100%.

The frighteningly efficient Lightfordian economy, worth a remarkable 4,786 trillion Dollars a year, is led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Book Publishing, and Arms Manufacturing. Average income is an amazing 299,974 Dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Foreign workers are flooding in as Dollars flood out, Josip Pusztai's peyote-induced "let's all just be friends" speech is trending world-wide, skateboarding is considered a form of diplomacy, and military spending is on the increase. Crime is totally unknown. Lightford's national animal is the dove, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Lightford is ranked 665^th in the world and 1^st in Krillin for Largest Welfare Programs, scoring 13,225.8 on the Safety Net Mesh Density Rating.