The Shipwreck of USS Monitor is a colossal, genial nation, ruled by Lt John L Worden with an even hand, and remarkable for its frequent executions, ban on automobiles, and complete absence of social welfare. The compassionate, hard-working, devout population of 6.784 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 International Aid and Social Policy are ignored. The average income tax rate is 6.1%.

The large but inefficient Monitorian economy, worth 258 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 Trout Farming, Information Technology, and Beef-Based Agriculture. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is 38,094 dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.1 times as much as the poorest.

The most popular WhoTube videos are ones featuring parodies of iconic songs, relations with Dàguó have warmed from frosty to chilly, billion-dollar sentient AI killbots roll through the streets dispensing hot dogs and T-shirts, and people who stay late at the office often come home to find their own funeral being planned. Crime, especially youth-related, is relatively low. USS Monitor's national animal is the powder monkey.

USS Monitor is ranked 108,157^th in the world and 17^th in North Carolina for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring zero on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.