The Nation of United Islands of Cotarl is a massive, efficient nation, ruled by Garshield Bayhan with an even hand, and notable for its prohibition of alcohol, remarkably easy parental licensing program, and restrictive gun laws. The compassionate population of 2.263 billion Cotarlians 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 Healthcare, Administration, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Liocott. The average income tax rate is 70.2%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Cotarlian economy, worth 204 trillion Flanelas a year, is highly specialized and mostly made up of the Trout Farming industry, with major contributions from Tourism. Black market activity is rampant. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 90,074 Flanelas, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

The new Refuse Hills housing development is under construction, new funding allows inner city teachers to replace school laptops almost as fast as they get stolen, diaper ads feature vertically-challenged adults wearing bootees, and CEOs are forced to cut coupons during important conference calls to make ends meet. Crime is a problem, with the police force struggling against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Cotarl's national animal is the Fish, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Fishism.

Cotarl is ranked 104,866^th in the world and 36^th in Flanelistan for Most Politically Free, scoring 65.71 on the Diebold Election Inking Scale.