The Lazarene Gateway Republic of New Melanesia is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Solomon Moses with a fair hand, and notable for its ubiquitous missile silos, smutty television, and pith helmet sales. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic, cheerful, devout population of 3.152 billion New Melanesians 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, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Industry, Education, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Port Moresby. The average income tax rate is 47.8%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient New Melanesian economy, worth 456 trillion North American dollars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Tourism, Book Publishing, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Average income is an impressive 144,831 North American dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Children are often observed making 'sand angels' in bunkers, intoxicated AI mobile platforms are sometimes seen crashing through windows instead of being crashed by them, diplomatic missions typically end with a flurry of childish insults, accusations and phlegm, and the nation's counterintelligence budget is all up in the air. Crime is totally unknown. New Melanesia's national animal is the whale shark, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Christianity.

New Melanesia is ranked 8,869^th in the world and 456^th in Lazarus for Highest Food Quality, scoring 168.98 on the Meeshlin-Starr Index.