The United Commonwealths of Great Altera is a mammoth, safe nation, ruled by Johansen Fenix with an even hand, and renowned for its daily referendums, keen interest in outer space, and punitive income tax rates. The compassionate, democratic population of 7.426 billion Alterans 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 government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Environment. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Greyhelm. The average income tax rate is 60.5%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Great Alteran economy, worth 793 trillion Eingots a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Tourism, Retail, and Basket Weaving. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 106,814 Eingots, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Doctors prescribe medicines but they rarely dispense hope or compassion, greased palms have made Johansen Fenix's office smell like gravy, coffee-addicted citizens look forward to baristas getting their name wrong at local coffee shops, and the army consists of only generals and grunts. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Great Altera's national animal is the Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Great Altera is ranked 22,579^th in the world and 41^st in The Western Isles for Highest Poor Incomes, with 86,621.1 Standard Monetary Units.