The Republic of Vara 8 is a colossal, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its teetotalling pirates, unlimited-speed roads, and spontaneously combusting cars. The hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical, humorless, devout population of 7.086 billion Vara 8ians are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Industry, and Law & Order. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 72.0%.

The frighteningly efficient Vara 8ian economy, worth a remarkable 1,207 trillion Object Permanences a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Tourism, and Retail. Black market activity is extensive. Average income is an impressive 170,355 Object Permanences, with the richest citizens earning 6.2 times as much as the poorest.

Unpopular scientists are shunned by name, solving crossword puzzles requires fluency in at least five languages, academics have a bone to pick with free market entrepreneurs, and genocide is seen as a topic best avoided in history lessons. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Vara 8's national animal is the Question Mark, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Vara 8 is ranked 23,486^th in the world and 139^th in Eye for Lowest Crime Rates, with 87.05 law-abiding acts per hour.