The Nomadic Peoples of Vanden is a huge, cultured nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape, keen interest in outer space, and smutty television. The hard-working, devout population of 447 million Vandenians 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 relatively small government prioritizes Education, although Welfare, Law & Order, and Public Transport are also considered important, while Spirituality and Environment receive no funds. The average income tax rate is 24.1%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The strong Vandenian economy, worth 27.1 trillion Careys a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Basket Weaving industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing, Trout Farming, and Retail. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is 60,585 Careys, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Public loudspeakers constantly tell citizens they are "happy people", the children of Vanden are often remarked upon for their cheery attitude to extreme violence, artists are pillars of society, and high-income earners pay a 100% tax rate. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Vanden's national animal is the Voulte, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Vanden is ranked 110,297^th in the world and 567^th in Europeia for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 81.18 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.