The Republic of Ostro 8 is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, notable for its disturbing lack of elderly people, frequent executions, and stringent health and safety legislation. The cynical, devout population of 3.901 billion Ostro 8ians are ruled without fear or favor by a psychotic dictator, who outlaws just about everything and refers to the populace as "my little playthings."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic, socially-minded, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Education. The average income tax rate is 41.9%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Ostro 8ian economy, worth 243 trillion guilders a year, is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Uranium Mining, Information Technology, and Basket Weaving. Black market activity is extensive. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 62,488 guilders, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.8 times as much as the poorest.

"Mad Max: Returning Again to Barrydrome" is this year's unexpected summer blockbuster, citizens need to demonstrate a complete set of dental records to throw five bucks in a hobo's hat, foreign leaders' Twitcher accounts are monitored for potential threats to national security, and foreign lack of enthusiasm for Ostro 8ian nose-flute disco metal is seen as a reasonable casus belli. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ostro 8's national animal is the emu, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Ostro 8 is ranked 116,890^th in the world and 6,506^th in Lazarus for Highest Average Incomes, with 62,488.13 Standard Monetary Units.