The Shipwreck of USS Monitor is a gargantuan, socially progressive nation, ruled by Lt John L Worden with an even hand, and remarkable for its frequent executions, complete lack of public education, and complete absence of social welfare. The compassionate, devout population of 15.48 billion crewmen 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 minute government, or what there is of one, is primarily concerned with Defense, although Law & Order is also considered important, while Social Policy and International Aid aren't funded at all. The average income tax rate is 6.1%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Monitorian economy, worth 710 trillion dollars a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is broadly diversified and led by the Book Publishing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Basket Weaving, and Trout Farming. Average income is 45,874 dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.0 times as much as the poorest.

The weather report is the prisoners' favourite programme, the government prefers to kill off its enemies by peaceful means, heavily subsidised Monitorian baskets litter the streets of North Carolina, and anyone who sneezes at border crossings is turned away. Crime, especially youth-related, is relatively low. USS Monitor's national animal is the powder monkey.

USS Monitor is ranked 137,844^th in the world and 14^th in North Carolina for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 62.76 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.