The Republic of Lightford is a gargantuan, cultured nation, ruled by Josip Pusztai with a fair hand, and notable for its smutty television, rampant corporate plagiarism, and absence of drug laws. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 10.798 billion Lightfordians hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The large, liberal, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Winterview City. The average income tax rate is 99.1%.

The frighteningly efficient Lightfordian economy, worth a remarkable 2,673 trillion Dollars a year, is quite specialized and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Arms Manufacturing. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is an amazing 247,554 Dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The nation's universities are often mistaken for foreign embassies, over a third of the seats in sports stadiums have been removed to make room for female-only commodes, Josip Pusztai has taken to wearing medal-adorned military uniform in all public appearances, and tourists outnumber citizens two to one. Crime is totally unknown. Lightford's national animal is the dove, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Lightford is ranked 31,958^th in the world and 8^th in Krillin for Most Patriotic, with 37.12 flags saluted per person per day.