The Elective Principality of Carlia is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by Prince Charles with an even hand, and remarkable for its museums and concert halls, smutty television, and keen interest in outer space. The compassionate, cheerful, devout population of 9.568 billion Carlians enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The enormous, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Carlburg. The average income tax rate is 98.4%.

The frighteningly efficient Carlian economy, worth a remarkable 1,842 trillion Euros a year, is highly specialized and led by the Book Publishing industry, with significant contributions from Tourism and Information Technology. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 192,586 Euros, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.5 times as much as the poorest.

Armed war-criminals gain asylum if deemed 'fabulous' enough, 'The Anti-Government Hour' is a popular programme on many of Carlia's radio stations, a passport is literally priceless, and cyber-crime and tin-foil hat sales are both increasing at record rates. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Carlia's national animal is the owl, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Carlia is ranked 1,562^nd in the world and 2^nd in Caer Sidi for Most Beautiful Environments, with 4,137.11 pounds of wildlife per square mile.