The Federal Republic of Balote is a small, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, irreverence towards religion, and complete absence of social welfare. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 32 million Baloteans live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

The minute, pro-business, outspoken government, or what there is of one, prioritizes Education, with Healthcare, Administration, and Defense also on the agenda, while Spirituality and Social Policy are ignored. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 4.3%.

The very strong Balotean economy, worth 2.03 trillion Copels a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is fairly diversified and led by the Book Publishing industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Soda Sales, and Basket Weaving. Average income is 63,586 Copels, but there is a large disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 285,885 per year while the poor average 8,731, a ratio of 32.7 to 1.

The streets are increasingly clogged with poverty-stricken beggars, the Balotean Arts Council pays teenagers to sit through opera performances, the latest Harry Potter book is a bestseller, and Balotean police have to pay out of their own pockets for bulletproof vests. Crime is a major problem, probably because of the absence of a police force. Balote's national animal is the Rattlesnake, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Balote is ranked 66,645^th in the world and 200^th in Concord for Largest Cheese Export Sector, scoring 4,129.82 on the Mozzarella Productivity Index.