The Number of 974 is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Gods of 974 with an even hand, and notable for its ban on automobiles, ubiquitous missile silos, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, hard-working, devout population of 1.643 billion 974ians are highly moralistic and fiercely conservative, in the sense that they tend to believe most things should be outlawed. People who have good jobs and work quietly at them are lauded; others are viewed with suspicion.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Administration, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of 974. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 41.4%.

The all-consuming 974ian economy, worth 146 trillion 974s a year, is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Tourism, and Beef-Based Agriculture. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is 89,399 974s, but there is a large disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 431,311 per year while the poor average 10,773, a ratio of 40.0 to 1.

Politicians preface their speeches with a declaration that any resemblance to speeches given by individuals living or dead is purely coincidental, soldiers on first dates introduce themselves only by their ranks and serial numbers, citizens are overwhelmed by beautiful simulacra, and hospitals are run down while the rich pay for private treatment. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. 974's national animal is the Cat, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is 974ism.

974 is ranked 237,940^th in the world and 134^th in Fish Storage for Most Eco-Friendly Governments, scoring 169.57 on the Dolphin Recycling Awareness Index.