The United Socialist States of The Socialist Peoples Republic of Merka is a gargantuan, safe nation, notable for its soft-spoken computers, keen interest in outer space, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, cheerful population of 17.507 billion Merkans enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The enormous, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Education, Environment, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Washington DC. The average income tax rate is 99.3%.

The frighteningly efficient Merkan economy, worth a remarkable 3,079 trillion Dollars a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is highly specialized, is led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing and Tourism. Average income is an impressive 175,889 Dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Exam halls are littered with used needles and empty pill bottles, Leader is adamant that ponies aren't just for little girls, children are disappointed to learn that cavemen never had a yabba-dabba-doo time riding dinosaurs to work, and police conduct raids on children having snail races. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. The Socialist Peoples Republic of Merka's national animal is the Eagle, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

The Socialist Peoples Republic of Merka is ranked 2,636^th in the world and 74^th in the Pacific for Lowest Crime Rates, with 134.56 law-abiding acts per hour.