The Republic of Messier 56 is a colossal, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its burgeoning cobra population. The quiet, industrious population of 3.146 billion Messier 56ians enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

The medium-sized, liberal, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Healthcare. The average income tax rate is 24.7%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The sizeable but underdeveloped Messier 56ian economy, worth 84.4 trillion marks a year, is quite specialized and dominated by the Trout Farming industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Retail, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 26,814 marks, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Crime is well under control, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Messier 56's national animal is the cobra.

Messier 56 is ranked 320,463^rd in the world and 3^rd in Stone Statue for Largest Cheese Export Sector, scoring -8.65 on the Mozzarella Productivity Index.