The United Cantons of Valtrona is a colossal, efficient nation, ruled by Director Johnathan Schneider with a fair hand, and notable for its smutty television, keen interest in outer space, and absence of drug laws. The hard-nosed, democratic population of 7.517 billion Valtronans hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The relatively small, liberal government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Rhina. The average income tax rate is 45.3%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Valtronan economy, worth a remarkable 1,559 trillion Yakkinas a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Tourism, Retail, and Book Publishing. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an amazing 207,421 Yakkinas, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The government's new "quiet competence" initiative has supporters and detractors alike reeling in confusion, feeling like a winner comes at a price, if there's something strange in your neighborhood you call Brancaland, and when their backs are against the walls Valtronans look out for gay men. Crime is almost non-existent. Valtrona's national animal is the Owl, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies, and its national religion is Secularism.

Valtrona is ranked 129,233^rd in the world and 312^th in Europe for Highest Crime Rates, with 3.73 crimes per hour.