The People's Republic of Hepek is a massive, efficient nation, ruled by President with an even hand, and remarkable for its multi-spousal wedding ceremonies, smutty television, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic population of 1.078 billion Hepekians 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 Administration, Education, and Welfare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Hepek City. The average income tax rate is 66.8%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming Hepekian economy, worth 110 trillion marks a year, is quite specialized and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Book Publishing, and Trout Farming. Average income is an impressive 102,104 marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Heavy industry must go to expensive lengths to dispose of waste, older citizens lament over the loss of law and order, hostage-takers offer loyalty scheme points for prompt payment, and children as young as six shock their parents by coming out of the closet. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Hepek's national animal is the fox, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Hepek is ranked 199,966^th in the world and 7,486^th in The North Pacific for Largest Mining Sector, scoring -6 on the Blue Sky Asbestos Index.