The Republic of Astanecia is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by Frey Somerset with an even hand, and notable for its vat-grown people, pith helmet sales, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic, devout population of 4.266 billion Astanecians 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 medium-sized, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Industry, Administration, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Hivernia. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 88.0%.

The frighteningly efficient Astanecian economy, worth 928 trillion Astroes a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Retail, Arms Manufacturing, and Book Publishing. Average income is an amazing 217,620 Astroes, with the richest citizens earning 5.7 times as much as the poorest.

Minorities play dumb to get more welfare payments, cultural heritage is measured in Scoville Heat Units, a favorite "life hack" for gap year backpackers is to pretend to be homeless for government handouts, and finders keepers is the law of the land. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Astanecia's national animal is the Guepardo, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its national religion is Catholic.

Astanecia is ranked 53,086^th in the world and 2,748^th in Lazarus for Most Advanced Law Enforcement, scoring 5,148.16 on the Orwell Orderliness Index.