Location: the Rejected Realms

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Democratic Republic of Marta is a huge, socially progressive nation, notable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working population of 578 million 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 government -- a sprawling, bureaucracy-choked morass -- juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Education. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of R'lyeh. The average income tax rate is 23%, but much higher for the wealthy. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry.

Recruitment posters proclaim the army to be both fabulous and fashionable, the government is spending millions on renovating the public transportation system, businesses often fire workers in favour of cheaper automatic systems, and the 'kind of scrawny' 500 meter hurdle is a popular event. Crime is moderate. Marta's national animal is the Velociraptor, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the Septin.

Marta is ranked 176th in the Rejected Realms and 12,445th in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -7 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and