The Imperial Seat of Shwaasburg is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, ruled by Marcus Haephestus XII with a fair hand, and renowned for its digital currency, rampant corporate plagiarism, and unlimited-speed roads. The hard-nosed, democratic, humorless population of 36.43 billion Shwaas hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The tiny, liberal, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Industry, Education, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Tar Valon. The average income tax rate is 4.4%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Shwaa economy, worth a remarkable 8,779 trillion AELS a year, is broadly diversified and dominated by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Book Publishing, and Automobile Manufacturing. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an amazing 240,992 AELS, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Immigrants who carry knives on them are presumed to be chefs, parking's carefree without parking car fees, first-time moms are expected to be experienced parents from day one, and hospitals fear government fines more than terrorist ransoms. Crime is totally unknown. Shwaasburg's national animal is the Nebelung, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its national religion is Technological Agnosticism.

Shwaasburg is ranked 84,784^th in the world and 4,512^th in Balder for Largest Black Market, with 3.70 trillion Standard Monetary Units.