The Emirate of Upper Northern is a mammoth, efficient nation, ruled by King Ellenburg with an even hand, and notable for its unlimited-speed roads, public floggings, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, devout population of 7.959 billion Upper Northernians 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 medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Spirituality, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Northern lights. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 44.3%.

The very strong Upper Northernian economy, worth 698 trillion deniers a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Pizza Delivery, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Book Publishing. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 87,805 deniers, with the richest citizens earning 5.6 times as much as the poorest.

People believe that if you teach a man to fish he won't buy fish from you any more, school lessons are constantly interrupted by 'teacher needs a break' time, citizens brought into court for parking violations are never heard from again, and red fabric is banned. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Upper Northern's national animal is the sheep, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Upper Northern is ranked 140,447^th in the world and 4^th in The Great North for Lowest Crime Rates, with 62.92 law-abiding acts per hour.