The Incorporated States of Shackleford is a very large, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its sprawling nuclear power plants and absence of drug laws. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic, devout population of 471 million Shacklefordians hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The relatively small, liberal, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Spirituality, Education, and Welfare. The average income tax rate is 9.3%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Shacklefordian economy, worth 28.6 trillion dollars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing, Furniture Restoration, and Information Technology. Average income is 60,640 dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.4 times as much as the poorest.

The price of takeaway food quadruples after 6pm, dubiously qualified Skandilundian barristers keep referring to laws as 'government guidelines', spies caught red-handed are served cocktails on their first-class flights home, and one-stop superstores divide and conquer family businesses. Crime is almost non-existent. Shackleford's national animal is the bull.

Shackleford is ranked 62,703^rd in the world and 250^th in Concord for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring 3,445.28 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.