The Republic of Da 9 is a massive, efficient nation, renowned for its anti-smoking policies, keen interest in outer space, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, democratic, devout population of 1.57 billion Da 9ians are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Administration, and Law & Order. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 46.2%.

The thriving Da 9ian economy, worth 148 trillion Tthdhfjs a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a slick, highly efficient, broadly diversified black market in Arms Manufacturing, Tourism, Furniture Restoration, and Woodchip Exports. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is 94,878 Tthdhfjs, with the richest citizens earning 5.5 times as much as the poorest.

Parents are relieved they no longer need to help with their kids' algebra homework, drill sergeants yell in the ears of bespectacled nerds in cybermilitary "reboot camps", power to the people comes from the barrel of a gun, and the Ministry of Health has reported a sharp increase in the incidence of delayed menopause. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Da 9's national animal is the Me.

Da 9 is ranked 54,951^st in the world and 2,753^rd in Lazarus for Most Cheerful Citizens, with 51.48 Percentage Of Water Glasses Perceived Half-Full.