The Republic of Messier 78 is a colossal, safe nation, renowned for its burgeoning cobra population. The quiet, industrious population of 3.046 billion Messier 78ians 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 25.5%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The sizeable but underdeveloped Messier 78ian economy, worth 80.4 trillion guilders a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Cheese Exports, Soda Sales, and Uranium Mining. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 26,397 guilders, 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 78's national animal is the cobra.

Messier 78 is ranked 194,037^th in the world and 4^th in Apatite for Largest Trout Fishing Sector, scoring 488.42 on the Nemo Depletion Efficiency Index.