The Federal Republic of Izern 217 is a massive, efficient nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, keen interest in outer space, and pith helmet sales. The compassionate population of 1.247 billion Izern 217ians are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Law & Order. The average income tax rate is 44.7%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The thriving Izern 217ian economy, worth 101 trillion monies a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Furniture Restoration, and Trout Farming. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 81,698 monies, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.8 times as much as the poorest.

Many politicians are serving jail time for minor drug offenses, school uniforms are compulsory, Izern 217's fine wines are renowned throughout the region, and singles on the dating scene no longer worry about looking their age. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Izern 217's national animal is the card, which can occasionally be seen sifting through garbage in the nation's cities.

Izern 217 is ranked 299,228^th in the world and 864^th in Izern for Most Cultured, scoring 47 on the Snufflebottom-Wiggendum Pentatonic Scale.