The Sovereign Commonwealth of Amstein is a colossal, genial nation, ruled by King James-Augustus with a fair hand, and remarkable for its national health service, keen interest in outer space, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful, devout population of 9.632 billion Amsteinians enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The medium-sized, liberal, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Kingsmouth. The average income tax rate is 74.8%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Amsteinian economy, worth a remarkable 1,982 trillion Commonwealth credits a year, is quite specialized and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology and Book Publishing. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an amazing 205,845 Commonwealth credits, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Visiting dignitaries often end up cuddling in the hot tub with King James-Augustus, children are often observed making 'sand angels' in bunkers, sales of trenchcoats are on the rise, and a sledgehammer and a spray can are seen as the default tools of political debate. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Amstein's national animal is the Lynx, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Nicene Christianity.

Amstein is ranked 43,112^th in the world and 270^th in Europe for Most Patriotic, with 35.2 flags saluted per person per day.