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“Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind”

The Incorporated States of Mercanta is a huge, economically powerful nation, remarkable for its compulsory military service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 510 million are ruled with an iron fist by the corrupt, dictatorship government, which oppresses anyone who isn't on the board of a Fortune 500 company. Large corporations tend to be above the law, and use their financial clout to gain ever-increasing government benefits at the expense of the poor and unemployed.

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic, pro-business government concentrates mainly on Law & Order, although Defence and Commerce are secondary priorities. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 5%. A healthy private sector is led by the Uranium Mining industry, followed by Arms Manufacturing and Woodchip Exports.

Citizens live in superstitious fear of the mysterious glowing clouds that float over Mercanta, frequent fliers are obliged to submit to invasive security procedures by government security, citizens are frequently held up at gunpoint by their local pizza delivery boys, and corporations cut costs by taking away safety-features on their products. Crime is a problem. Mercanta's national animal is the thylacine, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the credit.

Mercanta is ranked 1646th in the region and 32,203rd in the world for Highest Unemployment Rates.