The Principate of Montecrux is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Marina Merchan with an even hand, and remarkable for its keen interest in outer space, irreverence towards religion, and restrictive gun laws. The compassionate, democratic population of 2.281 billion Montelians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Olphys. The average income tax rate is 71.0%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Montelian economy, worth 297 trillion Crossed Deniers a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Tourism. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 130,223 Crossed Deniers, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.4 times as much as the poorest.

A popular saying is "a chicken for every pot and an abortion clinic on every street", government officials have to mortgage their homes to make ends meet, many friends and relatives of Marina Merchan have been given ambassador jobs in tropical island nations, and bins outnumber trees in city parks. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Montecrux's national animal is the Royal Eagle, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Catharism.

Montecrux is ranked 231,812^th in the world and 1,081^st in Europe for Largest Automobile Manufacturing Sector, scoring -5.83 on the Henry Ford Productivity Index.