The Republic of Grathenfell is a massive, genial nation, ruled by Allin Boroughstead with an even hand, and notable for its museums and concert halls, compulsory military service, and irreverence towards religion. The compassionate, democratic population of 1.854 billion Grathenfellians 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 government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Grathenlanding. The average income tax rate is 30.6%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The very strong Grathenfellian economy, worth 129 trillion Stacks a year, is led by the Beef-Based Agriculture industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Automobile Manufacturing, and Information Technology. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is 70,028 Stacks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.7 times as much as the poorest.

People with political aspirations study how to make balloon animals, government leaders testify at international tribunals on why the sun went out, most ambassadors from Grathenfell retire only a few years after being appointed, and the richest individuals apparently buy nothing but noodles and toilet paper. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Grathenfell's national animal is the Fellen Otter.

Grathenfell is ranked 232,351^st in the world and 838^th in Concord for Highest Unexpected Death Rate, scoring 29.41 on the Bus Surprisal Index.