The Eternal Misfortune of Thalasse is a titanic, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by Leader with a fair hand, and notable for its daily referendums, ban on automobiles, and hatred of cheese. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful, devout population of 24.805 billion Thalasseans are free to do what they want with their own bodies, and vote for whomever they like in elections; if they go into business, however, they are regulated to within an inch of their lives.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, socially-minded, outspoken government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Education, Environment, and Welfare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Thalasse City. The income tax rate is 100%.

The frighteningly efficient Thalassean economy, worth a remarkable 9,415 trillion Flowers a year, is driven almost entirely by government activity, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is extremely specialized, is mostly made up of the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Book Publishing. State-owned companies are the norm. Average income is an amazing 379,584 Flowers, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Spiritual tourists meditate in the ruins of Thalassean cathedrals, no one questions why the chicken crossed the road anymore, flu research is commonly shut down for fear of creating a superbug, and the Thalasse City State Museum is said to be haunted by ghastly musicians playing 'Nearer Violet to Thee'. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Thalasse's national animal is the Radioactive Butterfly, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies, and its national religion is Peace.

Thalasse is ranked 311,171^st in the world and 37^th in Pencil Sharpeners Puppet Storage for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring -102.51 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.