The Federation of Malarkea is a very large, efficient nation, notable for its museums and concert halls, compulsory military service, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, hard-working population of 443 million Malarkeans 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 Defense, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Batavia. The average income tax rate is 49.8%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The powerhouse Malarkean economy, worth 40.9 trillion Guilders a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is broadly diversified, is led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Uranium Mining, and Book Publishing. Average income is 92,324 Guilders, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

The nation's universities are often mistaken for foreign embassies, M-SPAN viewership drops as MPs act their age, getting an autograph has become harder than ever, and the big red machine has ground to a halt. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Malarkea's national animal is the Black Panther, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Malarkea is ranked 307,734^th in the world and 262^nd in Eurth for Largest Black Market, with 11.0 billion Standard Monetary Units.