Located in the Wind Country, the Hidden Sand Village is one of the top 5 greatest Shinobi countries. Being one of the 5 great countries, this village is ruled by a kage, namely the Kazekage. At the beginning of the series, it's Gaara's father who holds the title of 4th Kazekage.
In an attempt to scale down the country's military presence, the lord of the wind country has cut back on the Sand Village's budget. Furthermore, he has commissioned tasks normally reserved for the county's own hidden village to the Hidden Leaf Village, raising speculation of an attempt to dissolve the Sand Village.
Breaking the peace[]
To re-establish the Sand Village, Kazekage teams up with the Sound Village and plans to attack the Leaf Village, breaking their piece treaty. This surprise attack is foiled by the Shinobi of Konoha, and the 4th Kazekage is later on killed by Orochimaru. Orochimaru take's the Kazekage's identity in order to get close to the 3th Hokage during the third stage of the Chuunin exam. After the failed attack the Hidden Sand re-allies with Konoha, and acknowledges Gaara as the Fifth Kazekage.
One-Tailed Shukaku[]
The Hidden Sand Village is also the village that has the Shukaku, one of the tailed beasts. Shukaka is said to be the corrupted spirit of a Sand monk turned demon, and was originally sealed inside a teakettle. The last host for Shukaku was Gaara.