The United Kingdom of Lalaton is a huge, genial nation, remarkable for its anti-smoking policies, ubiquitous missile silos, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic population of 613 million Lalatonians enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Welfare, Education, and Law & Order. The average income tax rate is 40.3%.

The powerhouse Lalatonian economy, worth 55.6 trillion Hoolars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Woodchip Exports, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Average income is 90,700 Hoolars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.2 times as much as the poorest.

Political dissidents are cut off from essential services, costumed characters wearing Maxtopian Grass leaves remind citizens that the government now sells the green stuff, holiday light displays just aren't the same without seizure-inducing strobe effects, and rebuilding efforts for a recently destroyed cathedral aren't expected to be completed for another century. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Lalaton's national animal is the Wampus, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Lalaton is ranked 64,942^nd in the world and 59^th in Federation of Martian Colonies for Largest Basket Weaving Sector, scoring 4,231.44 on the Hickory Productivity Index.