The Republic of Zulrich is a massive, cultured nation, notable for its museums and concert halls, daily referendums, and complete absence of social welfare. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 2.982 billion Zulrichers 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 Industry, Education, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Staisroden. The average income tax rate is 7.5%.

The frighteningly efficient Zulrichian economy, worth 355 trillion Zulricher Dollars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Retail, and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 119,275 Zulricher Dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.1 times as much as the poorest.

Postcards from Zulrichian driving test centres are popular souvenirs, the government has certified several glow-in-the-dark athletes as drug free, a five-year-old and a convicted terrorist can sit alongside one another in jury service, and artists from across the nation compete to renovate the restrooms of old government buildings. Crime is well under control. Zulrich's national animal is the Zulricher Eagle, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Zulrich is ranked 22,139^th in the world and 378^th in Europe for Smartest Citizens, with 58.27 quips per hour.