The Oriental Empire of Merlovich is a huge, cultured nation, ruled by Empress Zetian with an even hand, and renowned for its ban on automobiles, frequent executions, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, hard-working, humorless population of 760 million Merlovichans have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized, corrupt government prioritizes Defense, although Education, Law & Order, and Industry are also considered important, while Spirituality and International Aid receive no funds. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Tousunai. The average income tax rate is 54.5%.

The frighteningly efficient Merlovichian economy, worth 96.9 trillion Tousunai Dollars a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Tourism, and Trout Farming. Average income is an impressive 127,514 Tousunai Dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.3 times as much as the poorest.

Professional athletes can't see balls amid the deluge of advertisements, Empress Zetian has just been declared ruler of Merlovich in an international press conference, a cyber-war between file sharers and the music industry formats hard drives across the country, and giant no-kill traps baited with Bapst Red Ribbon and vintage bicycles have been popping up in back alleys nationwide. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Merlovich's national animal is the Red Panda, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Merlovich is ranked 15,434^th in the world and 376^th in The East Pacific for Most Advanced Law Enforcement, scoring 4,953.18 on the Orwell Orderliness Index.