The Republic of -Mark- is a colossal, efficient nation, remarkable for its infamous sell-swords, prohibition of alcohol, and ubiquitous missile silos. The compassionate, cynical population of 8.632 billion -Mark-ians are ruled without fear or favor by a psychotic dictator, who outlaws just about everything and refers to the populace as "my little playthings."

The medium-sized, corrupt, socially-minded, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 58.1%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming -Mark-ian economy, worth a remarkable 1,014 trillion Marks a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a slick, highly efficient, broadly diversified black market in Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, Automobile Manufacturing, and Woodchip Exports. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is an impressive 117,470 Marks, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Children asking questions about science are referred to relevant sections in religious texts, prospective secessionists nervously declare how worthless and unimportant they are, the government has officially clarified that "wee on your hands to save time" does not count as proper hygiene, and the new Refuse Hills housing development is under construction. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. -Mark-'s national animal is the White Marked Tree Dog, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

-Mark- is ranked 34,188^th in the world and 1^st in A Taco Archipelago for Lowest Crime Rates, with 80.37 law-abiding acts per hour.