The Watchfires of English Channel-1 is a gargantuan, cultured nation, notable for its daily referendums, ban on automobiles, and pith helmet sales. The hard-working, cynical population of 21.164 billion English Channel-1ians 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 large government prioritizes Defense, although Law & Order, Administration, and Education are also considered important, while International Aid receives no funds. The average income tax rate is 45.1%.

The strong English Channel-1ian economy, worth a remarkable 1,252 trillion $$s a year, is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Basket Weaving, and Beef-Based Agriculture. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 59,197 $$s, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 3.2 times as much as the poorest.

Every workday begins with group therapy, the Department of Health is snowed under by requests for crisper ciabatta and tenderer tagliatelle, the experimental sculpture "Overtures In Dried Swordfish Dung" has been declared a national treasure, and the nation is committed to nuclear rearmament. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. English Channel-1's national animal is the swordfish, which frolics freely in the nation's sparkling oceans.

English Channel-1 is ranked 89,346^th in the world and 1^st in English Channel for Lowest Crime Rates, with 67.28 law-abiding acts per hour.