The Sovereign State of Elbestrone is a titanic, efficient nation, ruled by Ernst Richten with an even hand, and notable for its anti-smoking policies, pith helmet sales, and punitive income tax rates. The hard-nosed, devout population of 18.116 billion Elbestroneans 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 large government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Ecklingen. The average income tax rate is 64.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The powerhouse Elbestronean economy, worth a remarkable 1,665 trillion Florins a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Retail industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Door-to-door Insurance Sales, and Information Technology. Average income is 91,927 Florins, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Many parents are becoming frustrated with their children's choices in spouses, the government's suicide hotline now redirects callers to local tax lawyers, the logging industry is celebrating as tourists plaster Elbestrone with trees, and teachers regularly paddle unruly students. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Elbestrone's national animal is the Leopard, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its national religion is Catholicism.

Elbestrone is ranked 62,451^st in the world and 3^rd in The Kaiserreich for Highest Average Tax Rates, with 64.6 Effective Tax Rate.