The Republic of Bentho is a mammoth, safe nation, ruled by Erick Berrocal with an even hand, and renowned for its ban on automobiles, compulsory military service, and state-planned economy. The compassionate population of 8.78 billion Bentheses 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 enormous government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of San Pera. The average income tax rate is 94.2%.

The frighteningly efficient Benthoan economy, worth a remarkable 1,108 trillion Benthese Pesos 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 significant contributions from Book Publishing, Tourism, and Basket Weaving. Average income is an impressive 126,206 Benthese Pesos, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Children crying over dropped ice creams are offered high doses of experimental antidepressants, large wigs have been banned for having racist implications, most towns have their Erick Berrocal High School located on Erick Berrocal Street, and radio stations are forbidden to play anything with too much drum or bass. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Bentho's national animal is the capybara, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Catholicism.

Bentho is ranked 6,251^st in the world and 5^th in Coalition of Crown Albatross for Longest Average Lifespans, with 92.45 years.