The Democratic Republic of The New Mercian Shires is a huge, orderly nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, restrictive gun laws, and complete absence of social welfare. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 320 million New Mercians 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, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Law & Order, and Industry. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 24.1%.

The powerhouse New Mercian Shiresian economy, worth 20.7 trillion Shillings a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Woodchip Exports, Arms Manufacturing, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Average income is 64,755 Shillings, with the richest citizens earning 9.5 times as much as the poorest.

Actively encouraging climate change is helping reduce winter fuel costs, employers are never quite sure if graduates' qualifications have any merit or meaning, barbed wire entanglements and guard towers surround the The New Mercian Shires City Natural History Museum, and homophobia is off the menu. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. The New Mercian Shires's national animal is the Mercian Wyvern, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

The New Mercian Shires is ranked 274,411^th in the world and 411^th in The League for Highest Foreign Aid Spending, scoring -10.95 on the Clooney Contribution Index.