The Matriarchy of Shteppi is a small, pleasant nation, remarkable for its burgeoning Otter population. The hard-working population of 26 million Shteppians 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 relatively small government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defense, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 16.5%.

The Shteppian economy, worth 1.20 trillion Ottertokens a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Gambling industry, with major contributions from Door-to-door Insurance Sales, Pizza Delivery, and Arms Manufacturing. Average income is 46,238 Ottertokens, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.6 times as much as the poorest.

Crime is relatively low, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Shteppi's national animal is the Otter.

Shteppi is ranked 234,443^rd in the world and 115^th in Garbelia Puppet Storage for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 37.42 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.