The Dominion of Gerfaanlich is a titanic, safe nation, remarkable for its compulsory military service, frequent executions, and national health service. The hard-nosed, hard-working population of 23.281 billion Gerfaanlichians 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 government — a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked morass — juggles the competing demands of Environment, Education, and Defense. The average income tax rate is 78.3%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The powerhouse Gerfaanlichian economy, worth a remarkable 1,299 trillion reichmarks a year, is highly specialized and led by the Cheese Exports industry, with major contributions from Soda Sales, Door-to-door Insurance Sales, and Pizza Delivery. Average income is 55,796 reichmarks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.4 times as much as the poorest.

The Gerfaanlich Automotive Racing Series draws millions of spectators annually while those near the tracks complain about the noise, there are no minimum wage laws, the Gerfaanlich Enquirer offers weekly cash prizes for 'most blasphemous song, story, or cartoon', and graffiti graces every city's streets. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Gerfaanlich's national animal is the imperial eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Gerfaanlich is ranked 227,960^th in the world and 56^th in Greater Dienstad for Largest Publishing Industry, scoring -2.21 on the Bella Potter Productivity e-Index.