The State of Xest is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape and complete lack of public education. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 31.885 billion Xestians enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

The minute, liberal government, or what there is of one, prioritizes Industry, although Welfare is also considered important, while Spirituality and Social Policy receive no funds. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Capital Heights. The average income tax rate is 5.7%.

The very strong Xestian economy, worth a remarkable 1,525 trillion betales a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is fairly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing, Woodchip Exports, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. Average income is 47,832 betales, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.7 times as much as the poorest.

Voting is voluntary, X-Files ratings have hit an all-time low, students are known to arrive at school in their pyjamas, and Xest has designated Capital Heights as its capital city. Crime, especially youth-related, is a serious problem, probably because of the absence of a police force. Xest's national animal is the deer, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Xest is ranked 69,738^th in the world and 234^th in State for Highest Unexpected Death Rate, scoring 46.93 on the Bus Surprisal Index.