The Republic of Emblehem 43 is a huge, genial nation, renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape, parental licensing program, and ritual sacrifices. The compassionate population of 653 million Emblehem 43ians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 33.7%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The strong Emblehem 43ian economy, worth 40.0 trillion marks a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a slick, highly efficient, fairly diversified black market in Uranium Mining, Arms Manufacturing, Basket Weaving, and Furniture Restoration. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is 61,261 marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.7 times as much as the poorest.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been banned for advocating gluttony, parents dread their examinations more than their children, crop circles are intently studied by investigators with questionable merits, and elections have become procedural nightmares due to voters persistently rejecting candidates. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Emblehem 43's national animal is the kiwi, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Emblehem 43 is ranked 73,053^rd in the world and 3,496^th in Osiris for Largest Black Market, with 1.14 trillion Standard Monetary Units.