The United People's Directorate of Paltheria is a massive, genial nation, ruled by Sir Palthus O'Phelion Dar Teltherion with an even hand, and renowned for its museums and concert halls, unlimited-speed roads, and punitive income tax rates. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 3.375 billion Paltherians enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The large, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Centhropia. The average income tax rate is 93.0%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Paltherian economy, worth 491 trillion Paltherian Social Credits a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is quite specialized, is led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 145,544 Paltherian Social Credits, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Politicians "baring all" for the camera isn't always a figure of speech, workers tend to schedule naps during all-hands meetings, businesses are abandoning the city centre because of the lack of transport connections, and Paltheria isn't what it used to be. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Paltheria's national animal is the Paltherian Diamond Tipped Sparrow, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is The Collective.

Paltheria is ranked 4,791^st in the world and 229^th in The North Pacific for Most Cheerful Citizens, with 60.67 Percentage Of Water Glasses Perceived Half-Full.