The Socialist Paradise of Spruce is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by Thomas O'Leary with an even hand, and remarkable for its state-planned economy, keen interest in outer space, and absence of drug laws. The compassionate population of 1.816 billion Spruceans enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The large, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Hivetown. The average income tax rate is 92.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Sprucean economy, worth 262 trillion hearts a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector is led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Tourism, and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 144,677 hearts, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Public intoxication has decreased ever since fraternities were banned, the examiners who examine examiners are being examined by examiners, legislators toe the party line lest the Sergeant-at-Arms decide to conduct "truncheon practice" on the backbench, and almost half of the child population live rough on the streets. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Spruce's national animal is the honey bee, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Spruce is ranked 9,415^th in the world and 168^th in Europe for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 420.13 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.