The Principality of Calanthe is a massive, genial nation, ruled by Prime Minister Sargon Dawson with an even hand, and renowned for its compulsory military service, free-roaming dinosaurs, and irreverence towards religion. The compassionate, democratic population of 1.163 billion Calanthians 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 Healthcare, Education, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Leonida. The average income tax rate is 37.5%.

The strong Calanthean economy, worth 69.3 trillion Calanthian ducats a year, is dominated by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Door-to-door Insurance Sales, Book Publishing, and Cheese Exports. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 59,593 Calanthian ducats, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.7 times as much as the poorest.

Foreign casinos have trouble paying fans who bet on the triumph of the Leonida Lions against long odds, houses and businesses are bulldozed to make way for ever-expanding cemeteries, sexually-starved male dinosaurs terrorise tourists during weekly breakouts from Mesozoic Park, and fancy dress parties are raided by military police for new recruits. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Calanthe's national animal is the lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Calanthe is ranked 60,264^th in the world and 161^st in Concord for Highest Food Quality, scoring 30.69 on the Meeshlin-Starr Index.