The Commonwealth of Model 97 is a huge, genial nation, remarkable for its rum-swilling pirates, museums and concert halls, and national health service. The compassionate, democratic population of 847 million Modelians enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The medium-sized, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New Trenchia. The average income tax rate is 40.9%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The very strong Model 97ian economy, worth 56.8 trillion shells a year, is led by the Book Publishing industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Pizza Delivery, and Uranium Mining. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 67,038 shells, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Mantis shrimp studies is academia's fastest-growing field, veteran cops reminisce over their heavy armor days, school lessons are constantly interrupted by 'teacher needs a break' time, and disaster relief budgets are growing like wildfire. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Model 97's national animal is the pheasant, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Model 97 is ranked 102,367^th in the world and 739^th in the West Pacific for Largest Cheese Export Sector, scoring 3,201.5 on the Mozzarella Productivity Index.