The Empire of Laurendon is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Chancellor Philippa Lawson with an even hand, and renowned for its sprawling nuclear power plants, keen interest in outer space, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, hard-working population of 1.489 billion Laurendonians 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, Administration, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Carsen. The average income tax rate is 67.2%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Laurendonian economy, worth 238 trillion Laurons a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Retail industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Information Technology, and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 160,096 Laurons, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Life is short but human kindness is endless, army uniforms are replaced en masse to accommodate adult soldiers, religious organizations are being forced to leave the country or pay income taxes like everybody else, and people believe that if you teach a man to fish he won't buy fish from you any more. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Laurendon's national animal is the Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Christianity.

Laurendon is ranked 18,643^rd in the world and 763^rd in The North Pacific for Most Patriotic, with 32.25 Flags saluted per person per day.