The Democratic States of Zelheul is a mammoth, environmentally stunning nation, remarkable for its state-planned economy, punitive income tax rates, and devotion to social welfare. The democratic, devout population of 8.467 billion Zelheulians are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.

The government — a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked, socially-minded morass — juggles the competing demands of Healthcare, Welfare, and Spirituality. The average income tax rate is 78.5%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The large but sluggish Zelheulian economy, worth 240 trillion Platinums a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is quite specialized, is led by the Retail industry, with major contributions from Trout Farming, Cheese Exports, and Book Publishing. Average income is 28,348 Platinums, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Families waiting for delayed pipe installations hope daily for rain, a nickname of "Doctor Death" probably indicates a decorated war hero, a major religion has been named as Zelheul's national religion, and Leader has just been declared ruler of Zelheul in an international press conference. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Zelheul's national animal is the Eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Zelheul is ranked 280,942^nd in the world and 5,834^th in eta for Largest Arms Manufacturing Sector, scoring -6.63 on the Charon Conveyancy Index.