The Republic of United Hephaestia is a massive, cultured nation, notable for its daily referendums, otherworldly petting zoo, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic population of 1.434 billion Hephaestians hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The relatively small government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Hephaestia. The average income tax rate is 32.1%.

The frighteningly efficient Hephaestian economy, worth 251 trillion Hephaestian Pounds a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Retail, Information Technology, and Book Publishing. Average income is an impressive 175,520 Hephaestian Pounds, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.4 times as much as the poorest.

Census workers struggle to account for the rapidly increasing number of citizens to tabulate, earthquake sirens are a leading cause of hearing loss, the government tries to improve relations with hostile countries by sending gift baskets, and multiple births are a cause of celebration for tax collectors. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. United Hephaestia's national animal is the White Gazelle, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

United Hephaestia is ranked 16,378^th in the world and 1^st in Organization of Mediterranean States for Highest Average Incomes, with 175,520.73 Standard Monetary Units.