The Union of Zaeli is a massive, safe nation, ruled by President Zel Roberts with an even hand, and renowned for its anti-smoking policies, public floggings, and irreverence towards religion. The compassionate, democratic population of 2.086 billion Zaelians 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 enormous government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Xerum. The average income tax rate is 90.5%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Zaelian economy, worth 268 trillion Zaelian Credits a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is highly specialized, is dominated by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Trout Farming, Arms Manufacturing, and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 128,476 Zaelian Credits, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The nation has opened its arms to an influx of refugees, the navy is chrome-plating its battleships to prevent rust, ambulances aren't allowed to overtake hearses, and vegetables are crisper thanks to CRISPR. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Zaeli's national animal is the Great Zaelian Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Zaeli is ranked 238,100^th in the world and 9,010^th in The North Pacific for Most Politically Apathetic Citizens, with 29.88 Whatever.