The United Republic of Cathendale is a massive, genial nation, ruled by Pinlo Makmud with an even hand, and notable for its daily referendums, ritual sacrifices, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, cheerful population of 1.496 billion Cathens are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.

The enormous, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Cath. The average income tax rate is 87.0%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Cathendalean economy, worth 186 trillion Caltas a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Basket Weaving. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 124,702 Caltas, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Undersea volcanoes receive strongly worded letters for violating environmental regulations, annual Formula One races bring the capital to a screeching halt, government leaders testify at international tribunals on why the sun went out, and Max Barry is this year's Miss Cathendale. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Cathendale's national animal is the Buzzard, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Cathendale is ranked 9,718^th in the world and 20^th in The Frontier Sea for Most Eco-Friendly Governments, scoring 5,669.34 on the Dolphin Recycling Awareness Index.