Location: Unified Realm

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Corporate Sanctuary of Merkonia is a colossal, socially progressive nation, notable for its national health service. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 5.336 billion live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded, liberal individuals is mainly concerned with Defence, although Commerce and Education are secondary priorities. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Merkingrad. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, and Book Publishing industries.

Max Barry is this year's Miss Merkonia, the mining industry is making inroads into environmentally sensitive areas, the nation's youth is held blameless for all crimes, and even the most lowly council pen-pusher has the same political power as a senior minister. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is crippling, and the police force struggles against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Merkonia's national animal is the Bison, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the Credit.

Merkonia is ranked 7th in Unified Realm and 91,145th in the world for Most Compassionate Citizens, scoring -99 on the Kitten Softness Rating.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and