The Armed States of Skalliad is a huge, socially progressive nation, ruled by the 27th President William Shepard with a fair hand, and remarkable for its keen interest in outer space, irreverence towards religion, and devotion to social welfare. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 816 million Skalliadians enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The medium-sized, corrupt, outspoken government prioritizes Defense, with Industry, Administration, and Education also on the agenda, while Spirituality and International Aid are ignored. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Skallia. The average income tax rate is 65.2%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Skalliadian economy, worth 140 trillion AS dollars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Tourism, and Retail. Black market activity is rampant. Average income is an impressive 172,412 AS dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.0 times as much as the poorest.

A murderous reputation can revitalise a flagging celebrity career, military minds worry that 'the blue screen of death' on brand new operating systems may be a literal description, children play Capture the Flag and Capture the Bigtopian General Staff at summer camps, and to say that military robots are inclined towards violence is offensive. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Skalliad's national animal is the Bald Eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Skalliad is ranked 88,581^st in the world and 333^rd in Europe for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring 2,338.04 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.