Location: the West Pacific

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Incorporated States of Mercanta is a massive, devout nation, ruled by Cking with an iron fist, and notable for its sprawling nuclear power plants. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 3.194 billion are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic government juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Commerce. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Mercantopolis. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 3%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Uranium Mining industry, followed by Arms Manufacturing and Information Technology.

Nursing mothers are often arrested for indecent exposure, airship use has soared while property values beneath their routes have plummeted, tourists need only sign on the dotted line to become citizens, and Mercanta-made cars tend to catch fire in people's driveways. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Mercanta's national animal is the thylacine, which is also the nation's favorite main course, its national religion is Glorification of Cking, and its currency is the credit.

Mercanta is ranked 4,520th in the West Pacific and 92,557th in the world for Best Weather, with -310 Metres of Sunlight Above Expected.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and