The Kingdom of Asterdel is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, ruled by Barbara Schraeder with a fair hand, and renowned for its museums and concert halls, anti-smoking policies, and punitive income tax rates. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 14.24 billion Asterians hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The large, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Environment. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Eidelvig. The average income tax rate is 98.4%.

The frighteningly efficient Asterian economy, worth a remarkable 3,075 trillion Marks a year, is led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Information Technology, and Basket Weaving. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an amazing 215,970 Marks, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Barbara Schraeder is famed for giving great back rubs, mantis shrimp studies is academia's fastest-growing field, elementary school students are required to master Bach's Chaconne in D before graduation, and the horniness of the great-horned Bear is considered a national priority. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Asterdel's national animal is the Bear, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Christianity.

Asterdel is ranked 1,081^st in the world and 6^th in New Western Empire for Largest Publishing Industry, scoring 33,818.19 on the Bella Potter Productivity e-Index.