The Commonwealth of Mera is a colossal, efficient nation, ruled by Kaiser with an iron fist, and remarkable for its compulsory military service, pith helmet sales, and ubiquitous missile silos. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical, humorless, devout population of 3.803 billion Merans 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, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Nakuru. The average income tax rate is 75.8%.

The frighteningly efficient Meran economy, worth 924 trillion marks a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Tourism, and Book Publishing. Black market activity is rampant. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an amazing 242,848 marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.2 times as much as the poorest.

It's illegal to be caught on tape, it is universally agreed that the first 31 issues are the only ones with humor and charm (Mera has found 2 easter eggs), this year's comedy award has left mothers-in-law seething, and nothing in life is promised except death and government support. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Mera's national animal is the dog, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Project at Eden's Gate.

Mera is ranked 14,022^nd in the world and 778^th in Lazarus for Most Extensive Public Healthcare, scoring 5,791.81 on the Theresa-Nightingale Rating.