The Cybernetic Federal Republic of Kaltovar is a colossal, efficient nation, ruled by The TEMPEST Council with an even hand, and renowned for its compulsory military service, punitive income tax rates, and compulsory gun ownership. The hard-nosed population of 6.831 billion Kalts 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 government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Education, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of The VDC. The average income tax rate is 90.3%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Kaltic economy, worth a remarkable 1,637 trillion Kaltmarks a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is broadly diversified, is led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Uranium Mining, and Retail. Average income is an amazing 239,704 Kaltmarks, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Kaltovar recently hosted the least successful trade negotiations since The Phantom Menace, military minds worry that 'the blue screen of death' on brand new operating systems may be a literal description, billions of Kaltmarks are spent to take high-quality photos of the Golden Jackal Nebula, and a National Academy regulates grammar and usage. Crime is totally unknown. Kaltovar's national animal is the Golden Jackal, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Seperation of Church and State.

Kaltovar is ranked 12,555^th in the world and 202^nd in 10000 Islands for Largest Publishing Industry, scoring 10,294.7 on the Bella Potter Productivity e-Index.