Location: Galts Gulch

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Free Domes of Meridiani Planum is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, ruled by Steven Dessler with an even hand, and renowned for its keen interest in outer space. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 12.055 billion enjoy some of the most opulent lifestyles in the region, unless they are unemployed or working-class, in which case they are variously starving to death or crippled by easily preventable diseases.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded, liberal, pro-business individuals juggles the competing demands of Defence, Education, and Commerce. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Prometheus Dome. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Uranium Mining industries.

Thousands of former welfare recipients are in a revolutionary uproar as the rest of society is enjoying a hefty tax break, 'A is for Annulment' is a popular children's song, leather-clad individuals can be seen walking their slaves in public parks, and euthanasia is legal. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is crippling. Meridiani Planum's national animal is the beaver, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is Eudaimonism, and its currency is the libra.

Meridiani Planum is ranked 3rd in Galts Gulch and 704th in the world for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring 13 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and