The United Commonwealth of Laurel is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, ruled by Protector Serena Whitfield with an even hand, and notable for its zero percent divorce rate, keen interest in outer space, and absence of drug laws. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful, devout population of 32.346 billion Laurelans enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

The relatively small, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Education, Defense, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Sheridan. The average income tax rate is 29.1%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Laurelan economy, worth a remarkable 5,848 trillion dollars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, and Book Publishing. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 180,801 dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

CEOs and corporate executives are frequently found striking for better stock options, hedge fund managers are diversifying into herbaceous borders, war vets look after war animals, and foreign casinos have trouble paying fans who bet on the triumph of the Sheridan Ghost Bears against long odds. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Laurel's national animal is the ghost bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is New Avalon Catholic Church.

Laurel is ranked 35,758^th in the world and 21^st in Nordic Lands for Rudest Citizens, with 103.97 insults per minute.