The Republic of Hurricane 8 is a massive, socially progressive nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape. The hard-working population of 1.805 billion Hurricane 8ians 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 relatively small government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Administration. The average income tax rate is 14.2%.

The strong Hurricane 8ian economy, worth 96.0 trillion Rains a year, is led by the Woodchip Exports industry, with significant contributions from Gambling, Uranium Mining, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Average income is 53,211 Rains, with the richest citizens earning 5.3 times as much as the poorest.

Boats straying just metres away from the shore will raise the ire of the Coast Guard, reflection is vital for badly behaved politicians, many in Hurricane 8 are born in the purple, and forest fires have dropped dramatically as there are hardly any forests left. Crime is moderate. Hurricane 8's national animal is the Dog, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Hurricane 8 is ranked 36,889^th in the world and 1^st in Civil Defense Siren for Largest Gambling Industry, scoring 5,636.7 on the Kelly Criterion Productivity Index.