The Third Republic of Masdagnia is a massive, genial nation, ruled by George Newtron with an even hand, and renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape, parental licensing program, and compulsory military service. The compassionate, hard-working population of 2.045 billion Masdagnians 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, Law & Order, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 43.4%.

The powerhouse Masdagnian economy, worth 176 trillion Vargs a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Woodchip Exports industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 86,186 Vargs, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.7 times as much as the poorest.

Prime real estate is devoted to wind farms and solar energy generators, tourists visit Masdagnia to mass-moon Masdagnian politicians, sailors spend their shore leave helping old ladies cross the street, and Red Cross demand for body bags is rising while sutures go unused. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Masdagnia's national animal is the Crow, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to toxic air pollution, and its national religion is Christianity.

Masdagnia is ranked 57,264^th in the world and 18^th in Merciam for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 131.35 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.