The Independent Star System of Gargolia is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, ruled by McGargoyle with an even hand, and renowned for its daily referendums, keen interest in outer space, and irreverence towards religion. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic, humorless population of 28.94 billion Gargolians 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 minute, corrupt government, or what there is of one, juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Public Transport. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Gargopolis. Income tax is unheard of.

The frighteningly efficient Gargolian economy, worth a remarkable 6,490 trillion credits a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Retail, Book Publishing, and Automobile Manufacturing. Average income is an amazing 224,271 credits, with the richest citizens earning 5.0 times as much as the poorest.

A speech a day keeps climate change away, there is no other place with more lab coats per square mile than former houses of worship, visiting dignitaries often end up cuddling in the hot tub with McGargoyle, and typing McGargoyle's name into a search engine always gives zero matches. Crime, especially youth-related, is pervasive, probably because of the absence of a police force. Gargolia's national animal is the eagle, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to toxic air pollution.

Gargolia is ranked 312,448^th in the world and 11^th in The Atheist Empire for Most Eco-Friendly Governments, scoring -5.48 on the Dolphin Recycling Awareness Index.