The Federated Democratic States of Xanthal is a gargantuan, cultured nation, renowned for its daily referendums, smutty television, and complete absence of social welfare. The hard-nosed, democratic population of 44.75 billion Xanthalians enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Environment. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Chotei. The average income tax rate is 94.8%.

The frighteningly efficient Xanthalian economy, worth a remarkable 9,417 trillion quinaults a year, is quite specialized and mostly made up of the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an amazing 210,455 quinaults, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The government mails weekly updates on the new anti-junk mail laws to every citizen, flowering peace lilies are the best defence against Xanthal's military, environmentalists are advocating slash-and-burn in the nation's forests, and residents of houses built on a foundation of wishful thinking are prone to an odd sinking feeling. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Xanthal's national animal is the fox, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Xanthal is ranked 104,538^th in the world and 11^th in SPACE for Most Cheerful Citizens, with 50 Percentage Of Water Glasses Perceived Half-Full.