The Republic of Laeden is a gargantuan, cultured nation, renowned for its museums and concert halls, sprawling nuclear power plants, and free-roaming dinosaurs. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic, devout population of 10.005 billion Laedenians 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, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Education, Defense, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Arcadia. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 74.7%.

The frighteningly efficient Laedenian economy, worth a remarkable 1,806 trillion denariis a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Arms Manufacturing, and Retail. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 180,605 denariis, with the richest citizens earning 6.0 times as much as the poorest.

Frisbee games on college quadrangles are grounds for expulsion, violence is always the answer in Laeden, labour strikes are routinely squashed by police, and religious leaders insist all life is sacred (but not those vat-bred wretches). Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Laeden's national animal is the Griffin, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Laeden is ranked 4,340^th in the world and 191^st in Lazarus for Largest Publishing Industry, scoring 20,485.89 on the Bella Potter Productivity e-Index.