The Republic of Marka is a mammoth, orderly nation, notable for its otherworldly petting zoo, parental licensing program, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, cynical, devout population of 8.531 billion Markans are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 58.9%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Markan economy, worth a remarkable 1,010 trillion Siths a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Beef-Based Agriculture industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, and Uranium Mining. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 118,430 Siths, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.6 times as much as the poorest.

Windows in Marka City don't have much of a view, nuclear submarines have been deployed to protect the nation's banana supply, teachers are dying as they attempt to read 500 word essays without pausing for breath, and thousands of picky mothers-in-law have been recruited to serve as even pickier cookery instructors. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Marka's national animal is the Puppy, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Marka is ranked 22,568^th in the world and 1^st in Byss for Highest Unexpected Death Rate, scoring 102.71 on the Bus Surprisal Index.