The United Republic of Borstein is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Johnathan Mauser with an even hand, and remarkable for its keen interest in outer space, digital currency, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic population of 1.701 billion Borstenians 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 Administration, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Franklinburg. The average income tax rate is 43.4%.

The all-consuming Borsteinian economy, worth 170 trillion Borstenian Euros a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Book Publishing industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Information Technology, and Arms Manufacturing. Average income is an impressive 100,158 Borstenian Euros, with the richest citizens earning 5.3 times as much as the poorest.

Space research funding has hit a recent high while several military bases are being closed down, families waiting for delayed pipe installations hope daily for rain, the roar of the Niagara 3000 mega-loo can be heard several blocks away, and the nationalised Arms Manufacturing Industry is not interested in making weapons. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Borstein's national animal is the Panther, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Borstein is ranked 132,062^nd in the world and 659^th in Europe for Most Corrupt Governments, with 5.5 kickbacks per hour.