The Federation of Ziev is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by Berry Maxman with an even hand, and notable for its museums and concert halls, infamous sell-swords, and frequent executions. The hard-nosed, humorless population of 1.78 billion Zievians 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 Education, Administration, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Zlukland. The average income tax rate is 68.5%.

The frighteningly efficient Zievian economy, worth 319 trillion Zievian Deutsche Marks a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, and Beef-Based Agriculture. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 179,215 Zievian Deutsche Marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.5 times as much as the poorest.

A widely accepted trade policy is "tit-for-tat", corporate lobbying has been outlawed, airport users are more worried about radiation than terrorism, and healthcare workers are flummoxed over the spike in foreign tourists with sudden-onset heart disease. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ziev's national animal is the Eight Pointed Star, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Atheistic Leauge.

Ziev is ranked 261,718^th in the world and 383^rd in The League for Highest Foreign Aid Spending, scoring -7.75 on the Clooney Contribution Index.