Location: the South Pacific

Overview • Factbook • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Democratic Republic of Merval is a massive, devout nation, ruled by Merval with an iron fist, and remarkable for its keen interest in outer space. Its hard-nosed, cynical population of 4.482 billion are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Education. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Merval City. The average income tax rate is 78%, and even higher for the wealthy. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry.

Public loudspeakers constantly tell citizens they are "happy people", Merval's educational system is the envy of many and regarded as a pinnacle of academic achievement, Bears are considered a delicacy, and speaking out against the government is punishable by flogging. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Merval's national animal is the Bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course, its national religion is The Dark Side, and its currency is the Mighty Dollar.

Merval is ranked 3,871st in the South Pacific and 116,538th in the world for Healthiest Citizens, with -2 Standard Bananas Ingested per capita per day.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and