The United Colonies of Nova Centaurus is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by President Konrad Stenberg with an even hand, and remarkable for its unlimited-speed roads, compulsory military service, and punitive income tax rates. The compassionate population of 3.337 billion Centaurans 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, Law & Order, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Concordia. The average income tax rate is 50.5%.

The powerhouse Centauran economy, worth 341 trillion Credits a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Beef-Based Agriculture, Information Technology, and Basket Weaving. Average income is an impressive 102,251 Credits, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.2 times as much as the poorest.

Kids these days know how to throw a proper punch, employers are finding it hard to screen candidates now that everyone gets A grades in their exams, citizens are regularly arrested in queues for 'loitering', and home renovation shows are increasingly popular. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Nova Centaurus's national animal is the Wraith, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Secularism.

Nova Centaurus is ranked 120,412^th in the world and 177^th in Starlight for Greatest Rich-Poor Divides, with 4.19 Rich To Poor Income Ratio.