The Republic of Driftmere is a very large, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its barren, inhospitable landscape and irreverence towards religion. The hard-working, democratic population of 297 million Driftmereans hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The tiny, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Welfare, and Healthcare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 6.9%.

The strong Driftmerean economy, worth 18.7 trillion Driftmere Marks a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is fairly diversified and led by the Gambling industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing, Cheese Exports, and Trout Farming. Average income is 62,893 Driftmere Marks, with the richest citizens earning 6.2 times as much as the poorest.

The latest Harry Potter book is a bestseller, scientists regularly clone human beings for research purposes, the tenet of free speech is held dear, and feuilletons can only be deciphered with a Galliennais dictionary. Crime is moderate, with the police force struggling against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Driftmere's national animal is the The Grey Heron, which can occasionally be seen dodging aircraft in the nation's cities.

Driftmere is ranked 66,127^th in the world and 2^nd in TRIDENT for Most Extensive Civil Rights, with 72.13 Martin Luther King, Jr. Units.