The Western Republic of Wintercould is a colossal, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by President Schulz with an even hand, and renowned for its pith helmet sales, sprawling nuclear power plants, and irreverence towards religion. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 7.467 billion Wintercouldians 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 enormous government juggles the competing demands of Education, Defense, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Astargod. The average income tax rate is 94.5%.

The frighteningly efficient Wintercouldian economy, worth a remarkable 1,082 trillion Coulders a year, is led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, and Book Publishing. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 145,004 Coulders, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

A favorite "life hack" for gap year backpackers is to pretend to be homeless for government handouts, the government's new "quiet competence" initiative has supporters and detractors alike reeling in confusion, passengers often cause a stink on public transport, and the military has gone fission for more funding. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Wintercould's national animal is the Winternish, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Wintercould is ranked 7,321^st in the world and 452^nd in Lazarus for Lowest Crime Rates, with 107.47 law-abiding acts per hour.