The Republic of Obliwek is a massive, orderly nation, ruled by Grand Regent Johan Sogovberg with an iron fist, and notable for its frequent executions, keen interest in outer space, and compulsory military service. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical, devout population of 2.03 billion Obliwekians are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Education, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Aigelgrad. The average income tax rate is 68.1%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Obliwekian economy, worth 282 trillion Marks a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Beef-Based Agriculture, Tourism, and Information Technology. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 139,262 Marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.7 times as much as the poorest.

Engaged partners detail their fiancés' private lives in detail to prurient bureaucrats, sometimes a whole prison wing will house a single prisoner, most households' childcare costs are higher than their mortgage payments, and the examiners who examine examiners are being examined by examiners. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Obliwek's national animal is the Obliwekian Black Eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Obliwek is ranked 175,388^th in the world and 2,639^th in The North Pacific for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring 140.75 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.