The Confederated Corporations of Balante is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by the Board with an even hand, and notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, multi-spousal wedding ceremonies, and irreverence towards religion. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 2.086 billion Balanteans 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 relatively small, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Education, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Laplace Ring. The average income tax rate is 36.6%.

The frighteningly efficient Balantean economy, worth 298 trillion thalers a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing and Retail. Black market activity is rampant. Average income is an impressive 143,099 thalers, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.5 times as much as the poorest.

The government is attempting to impose a new national language on the public, the Hanging Gardens account for half of Laplace Ring's water use, politicians tend to speak more loudly and slowly these days, and colonial subjects have Balantean culture shoved down their throats. Crime is well under control. Balante's national animal is the anaconda, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its national religion is NULL.

Balante is ranked 2,198^th in the world and 181^st in Europe for Most World Assembly Endorsements, with 103 valid endorsements.