The Germanic Democracy of Belned is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Silke De Jong with an even hand, and notable for its keen interest in outer space, national health service, and frequent executions. The quiet, industrious population of 2.466 billion Belnedians enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

The medium-sized, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New-Antwerp. The average income tax rate is 69.9%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Belnedian economy, worth 310 trillion Crown franks a year, is led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, and Book Publishing. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 126,112 Crown franks, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Newspapers are running a front-page picture of Silke De Jong holding a crowbar and standing over a bloodied stockbroker, dog breeding has been banned in accordance with recent animal experimentation laws, from the highest mountain to the deepest cave - one can always count on finding a good cell signal in Belned, and ritual mummification is making a comeback. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Belned's national animal is the bear, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Freyaism.

Belned is ranked 179,621^st in the world and 135^th in 21st Century Rome for Most Armed, with 0.23 Weapons Per Person.