The Federal Republic of Bellcon is a colossal, efficient nation, ruled by Jack Roberts with an even hand, and notable for its museums and concert halls, irreverence towards religion, and punitive income tax rates. The hard-nosed, hard-working population of 5.923 billion Bellconians 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 medium-sized, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Environment. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Surrell. The average income tax rate is 66.7%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Bellconian economy, worth 924 trillion Bellconian bells a year, is led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, and Retail. Black market activity is frequent. Average income is an impressive 156,056 Bellconian bells, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Engine room hooch is the drink of choice among the nation's navy, chain-gangs are often seen toting barges and lifting bales, the military is researching proton packs and PK-meters to combat "unseen enemy forces", and demand for gourmet white truffles is on the rise. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Bellcon's national animal is the Bellconian Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Bellconian Orthodoxy.

Bellcon is ranked 6,811^th in the world and 373^rd in Lazarus for Most Cultured, scoring 139 on the Snufflebottom-Wiggendum Pentatonic Scale.