The Republic of ZMC18 is a very large, efficient nation, notable for its frequent executions, fear of technology, and lack of airports. The hard-nosed, hard-working, devout population of 356 million ZMC18ians are free to succeed or fail in life on their own merits; the successful tend to enjoy an opulent (but moralistic) lifestyle, while the failures can be seen crowding out most jails.

The medium-sized, pro-business government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Education. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 23.4%.

The thriving ZMC18ian economy, worth 19.6 trillion florins a year, is quite specialized and led by the Gambling industry, with significant contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Basket Weaving, and Woodchip Exports. Average income is 55,183 florins, but there is a large disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 208,574 per year while the poor average 10,158, a ratio of 20.5 to 1.

People say that cubists are rubbish because they can't draw faces, fake beard sales are on the rise amongst female commuters, citizens are remarkably well involved in the political process, and the diplomatic corps stinks. Crime, especially youth-related, is relatively low, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. ZMC18's national animal is the falcon, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

ZMC18 is ranked 321,050^th in the world and 40^th in RegionZ for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring -200.63 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.