The Fiefdom of Lower Melodia is a massive, safe nation, ruled by Federal Council with a fair hand, and notable for its multi-spousal wedding ceremonies, punitive income tax rates, and stringent health and safety legislation. The compassionate, democratic population of 1.211 billion Lower Melodians enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The enormous, liberal government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New Bergen. The average income tax rate is 82.9%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The thriving Lower Melodian economy, worth 111 trillion ducats a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is fairly diversified, is led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Tourism, Book Publishing, and Cheese Exports. Average income is 92,341 ducats, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The typical murderer weighs 150kg and has hairy arms, sales of disinfectant wipes have skyrocketed, standard-issue infantry rifles now have carnations instead of bayonets, and third world countries are rich in "I Love New Bergen" t-shirts. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Lower Melodia's national animal is the beaver, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Lower Melodia is ranked 31,951^st in the world and 1,164^th in The North Pacific for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 210.53 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.