The Swirling Stars of Merethin is a mammoth, efficient nation, ruled by Iris with a fair hand, and renowned for its state-planned economy, soft-spoken computers, and keen interest in outer space. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 6.055 billion Merethinians love a good election, and the government gives them plenty of them. Universities tend to be full of students debating the merits of various civil and political rights, while businesses are tightly regulated and the wealthy viewed with suspicion.

The enormous, socially-minded, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Merethin City. The average income tax rate is 99.6%.

The frighteningly efficient Merethinian economy, worth a remarkable 1,310 trillion golden coins a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is highly specialized, is mostly made up of the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing and Tourism. Average income is an amazing 216,383 golden coins, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

It is illegal for police officers to carry out searches due to strict privacy laws, selfie stick use is a required Scout badge, spoiler warnings are now given out before political speeches, and solving crossword puzzles requires fluency in at least five languages. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Merethin's national animal is the axolotl, which frolics freely in the nation's sparkling oceans, and its national religion is Star Sister.

Merethin is ranked 323,817^th in the world and 538^th in Starlight for Rudest Citizens, with 6.91 insults per minute.