The Republic of Obliwek is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Grand Regent Johan Sogovberg with an iron fist, and renowned for its frequent executions, public floggings, and devotion to social welfare. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical, devout population of 2.055 billion Obliwekians 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 medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Aigelgrad. The average income tax rate is 67.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Obliwekian economy, worth 291 trillion Marks a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Beef-Based Agriculture, Tourism, and Information Technology. Average income is an impressive 141,720 Marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.9 times as much as the poorest.

Billions of Marks are being blown on orbital weapons development, trolls insist that strings of racial slurs mean "good morning" in obscure languages, some say that Grand Regent Johan Sogovberg can't handle the truth but can handle truth-seekers, and comedians who make offensive jokes have their ticket proceeds seized. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Obliwek's national animal is the Obliwekian Black Eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Obliwek is ranked 38,741^st in the world and 830^th in The North Pacific for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 216.25 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.