The Federal Republic of Mereline is a huge, efficient nation, renowned for its rum-swilling pirates, deadly medical pandemics, and absence of drug laws. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 818 million Merelineans hold their civil and political rights very dear, although the wealthy and those in business tend to be viewed with suspicion.

The medium-sized, liberal, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Industry, Administration, and Welfare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 19.4%.

The powerhouse Merelinean economy, worth 56.8 trillion golden coins a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Soda Sales industry, with significant contributions from Retail, Book Publishing, and Cheese Exports. Black market activity is frequent. Average income is 69,448 golden coins, with the richest citizens earning 5.9 times as much as the poorest.

A ban on unsolicited cold calling in all forms is in effect, stranded mountaineers can watch livestreamed footage of their rescues, students consistently complain that the wi-fi ate their homework, and drunk drivers are sent to rehabilitation paid for by the government. Crime, especially youth-related, is pervasive, probably because of the absence of a police force. Mereline's national animal is the moonlark, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to toxic air pollution.

Mereline is ranked 103,257^th in the world and 1^st in Merethin for Highest Average Incomes, with 69,448.6 Standard Monetary Units.