The Republic of Mushroom Union is a huge, socially progressive nation, notable for its multi-spousal wedding ceremonies, prohibition of alcohol, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, democratic population of 441 million Shroomers are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.

The enormous, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Welfare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Mushroom Port. The average income tax rate is 70.6%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The strong Shroom economy, worth 27.0 trillion Nelphs a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is quite specialized, is led by the Book Publishing industry, with major contributions from Tourism, Information Technology, and Trout Farming. Average income is 61,165 Nelphs, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The diplomatic corps stinks, ministers browse Alright! magazine for fashion tips, several citizens have complained about scientists abducting their pets for experimentation, and business is banging at no-tell motels. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Mushroom Union's national animal is the Goombas, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Mushroom Union is ranked 138,481^st in the world and 678^th in Europe for Largest Automobile Manufacturing Sector, scoring 1,107.86 on the Henry Ford Productivity Index.