The Big Holes of Thermite is a mammoth, safe nation, notable for its ban on automobiles, zero percent divorce rate, and stringent health and safety legislation. The quiet, industrious population of 6.232 billion Thermiteans 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 medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Industry. The average income tax rate is 33.8%.

The strong Thermitean economy, worth 405 trillion golds a year, is led by the Trout Farming industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Cheese Exports, and Door-to-door Insurance Sales. Black market activity is notable. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 65,137 golds, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.9 times as much as the poorest.

The government is in utter turmoil following the recent abolishment of the tax code, corporations claim the third ounce of any metal traded in a wicker-cone on the Sunday of a full moon as a charitable expense, the entire entry for Thermite in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the World reads 'mostly harmless', and one does not simply walk into the tundra. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Thermite's national animal is the dragon, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Thermite is ranked 14,911^th in the world and 18^th in The Blades for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring 5,387.4 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.