The Rogue Nation of Pondem is a small, socially progressive nation, notable for its compulsory military service, complete absence of social welfare, and spontaneously combusting cars. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 40 million Pondemians live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

The minute, pro-business government, or what there is of one, is dominated by the Department of Defense, with Law & Order, Healthcare, and Industry also on the agenda, while Spirituality and International Aid receive no funds. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 4.6%.

The strong Pondemian economy, worth 2.35 trillion quizzes a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is fairly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Pizza Delivery, Cheese Exports, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Average income is 58,726 quizzes, but there is a vast disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 378,495 per year while the poor average 3,681, a ratio of 102 to 1.

Crime is a serious problem, with the police force struggling against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Pondem's national animal is the wuf.

Pondem is ranked 308,260^th in the world and 10^th in Catopia for Most Eco-Friendly Governments, scoring -6.32 on the Dolphin Recycling Awareness Index.