The Federative Republic of Ricel is a mammoth, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by President with an even hand, and renowned for its strictly enforced bedtime, unlimited-speed roads, and sprawling nuclear power plants. The hard-nosed, devout population of 5.822 billion Ricelians 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 Industry, Education, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Ricelia. The average income tax rate is 67.2%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ricelian economy, worth a remarkable 1,036 trillion Rixes a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 178,095 Rixes, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The reams of paperwork accompanying any electronic item are a recognised contributor to national deforestation, the "Underwear of Women in Power" issue of The Ricelia Times is sold out, space shuttles regularly launch rubbish into space, and the government is attempting to revitalize a gutted private sector. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ricel's national animal is the Tiger, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Christianity.

Ricel is ranked 23,985^th in the world and 508^th in The North Pacific for Lowest Crime Rates, with 91.29 law-abiding acts per hour.