The Democratic Republic of The New Mercian Shires is a huge, safe nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, irreverence towards religion, and complete absence of social welfare. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 277 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, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Law & Order, and Industry. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 23.7%.

The powerhouse New Mercian Shiresian economy, worth 18.0 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 64,937 Shillings, with the richest citizens earning 9.8 times as much as the poorest.

Mandatory state-funded classes teach Libertarianism, meat prices are soaring as the farming industry struggle under government-imposed restrictions, actively encouraging climate change is helping reduce winter fuel costs, and employers are never quite sure if graduates' qualifications have any merit or meaning. 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 114,512^th in the world and 186^th in The League for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring 1,287.54 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.