The Machiavellian State of Gothic Vandelia is a colossal, cultured nation, ruled by John Kaiser with an even hand, and remarkable for its pith helmet sales, unlimited-speed roads, and daily referendums. The hard-nosed, hard-working, humorless population of 5.427 billion Gothic Vandelians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized, corrupt government is primarily concerned with Defense, with Education, Industry, and Administration also on the agenda, while Spirituality and International Aid receive no funds. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Deep13. The average income tax rate is 93.0%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Gothic Vandelian economy, worth a remarkable 2,815 trillion Rand a year, is broadly diversified and mostly comprised of black market activity, especially in Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Retail. Average income is a breathtaking 518,803 Rand, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.5 times as much as the poorest.

Nine out of ten citizens of Gothic Vandelia answered 'nuclear safety inspector' when asked their occupation, cleaners are very careful not to bump into the big red button on John Kaiser's desk, space has been brought down to earth with constellations of cancer cases across Gothic Vandelia, and John Kaiser's told that love often manifests itself through homicidal four-lettered litanies. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Gothic Vandelia's national animal is the Raven, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies, and its national religion is Norse.

Gothic Vandelia is ranked 199,722^nd in the world and 40^th in The Wolf Clan for Highest Crime Rates, with 1.67 Crimes Per Hour.