The Dominion of Marcanto is a tiny, safe nation, remarkable for its barren, inhospitable landscape and compulsory military service. The hard-working population of 16 million Marcantoans 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 relatively small government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Welfare. The average income tax rate is 13.0%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Marcantoan economy, worth 922 billion Hajaroes a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing, Door-to-door Insurance Sales, and Retail. Average income is 57,625 Hajaroes, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.6 times as much as the poorest.

Hiding wrinkles with make-up is illegal, the nation is ravaged by daily union strikes, the mining industry is making inroads into environmentally sensitive areas, and extreme political groups are outlawed. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Marcanto's national animal is the Dove, which can occasionally be seen dodging aircraft in the nation's cities.

Marcanto is ranked 280,565^th in the world and 11^th in Nova Iris for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring -28.28 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.