Spotlight On: AMERINDIA

Amerindia


AREA
169,000 sq.m. (8th)
POPULATION
3,913,000 (15h)
DENSITY
23 people per square mile.

CAPITAL
Santa Fe
STATES
None (organized into tribal territories)

RELIGION
Various (tribal based)
LANGUAGE
Various (tribal based), English

NATL INCOME
120 billion.
MEDIAN INCOME
$30,735 (18th)

ECONOMY
Amerindia’s economy is below average. The government has a generally isolationist slant, and due to its insistence on an organized tribal structure and civic life, is slow to adapt and adopt new technology. Its cities, including Albuquerque and Tucson, have declined since the Division. There are significant possibilities in natural resources and mining, but the dominant environmentalist faction of the government has refused to utilize those resources. As a result, the nation has developed a largely independent structure that precludes financial growth, although the westernmost corner’s proximity to Nevada has made it a trafficking point for illegal goods. Recently the ANTU nations have tried to incentivize Amerindia to producing cotton. The cost of living is low.

OVERVIEW
Like Deseret-Utah, Amerindia was created in the Redivision of 1994, carved from the former nation of Arizona (in existence from 1981-1994, comprising the former states of New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah) after frequent cultural clashes between the four states. From the beginning, the nation organized along tribal lines instead of political parties, and allowed any immigrant from any other nation immediate citizenship and land ownership if that immigrant could prove Native American blood. Amerindia does not maintain a strong international relevance or economic position. Corruption in the administration of first President Wilma Pearl Mankiller led to a massive infrastructure overhaul by popular 2nd President, Ben Nighthorse Campbell. The administration of Texican immigrant Thomas Jeffrey Cole was overturned when it was revealed that Cole had promised the Texican government drilling contracts in Amerindian land, and allegedly further cession of Amerindian territory to the growing Texican Empire. Cole was removed in a joint Navajo-Chippewa coup led by Mark Maryboy and current president Winona LaDuke. Amerindia remain a poor nation, but one that has more successfully made the transition to a green economy than most.

HEAD OF STATE





Winona LaDuke,
Chippewa Tribe










Mark Maryboy,
Navajo Tribe

Spotlight On: MONTANA

Montana
(including the Nevada Territory)


AREA
647,000 sq.m. (3rd) (counting Nevada Free Zone)
POPULATION
12,933,000 (12th)
DENSITY
23 people per square mile. (17th)

CAPITAL
None (capital rotates as state capital of current president).
STATES
Lakota (Rapid City), Absaroka (Billings), Wyoming (Casper), Colorado (Denver), Montana (Helena), Idaho (Boise), Lincoln (Spokane), Oregon (Bend), Sierra (Susanville)

RELIGION
Protestant, various
LANGUAGE
English, various

NATL INCOME
620 billion
MEDIAN INCOME
$47,963 (12th)

ECONOMY
Montana’s economy is generally weak. With the exception of the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area, none of its cities are competitive internationally. It is not a member nation of the American Northeast Trade Union, preferring to maintain its staunch independence. Montana trades almost exclusively with Heartland, meaning that many goods not grown in those two nations (like saltwater fish, citrus, and wine) are often highly expensive. Montana does have enough coal, gas and mining resources to support itself and to export to a certain degree. Years of firmly minarchist government and the trading situation have contributed to a highly Spartan lifestyle; however, the government unofficially tolerates international smuggling in its unorganized Nevada territory. The cost of living is low.

OVERVIEW
Montana is a country rich in land and resources, but weak on the international stage. Built from many of the least populous states of the former USA, and landlocked and covered in many areas by the at times impassable Rocky Mountains, Montana has positioned itself as a staunchly libertarian society, with a very small federal government and no fixed national capital. Federal elections are held every three years with no possibility of a second term, and the national capital temporarily becomes the capital of the state the president has been elected from. A period of environmental conservation led by the Mountain Party presidencies of Cecil Andrus (Idaho) and Gary Hart (Colorado) was followed by a movement towards greater internationalism after the Redivision of 1994. President Richard Cheney (Mountain Party, Wyoming) sought a stronger centralized government and control of formerly federal military bases at Cheyenne Mountain, as well as involvement in the developing conflict between Atlantica and Texico (on the Texican side). A decentralist backlash saw the next three elections dominated by increasingly minarchist presidencies, concluding with a `night watchman’ state under Richard Mowell (Constitution Party, Lakota), a former Sheriff chosen by lottery. This experiment in governing led to a drastically weakened economy, and the Constitution Party was roundly defeated in the latest election by businessman Peter Coors, running on the promise to make Montana a stronger economic presence.

HEAD OF STATE






President Peter Coors,
Mountain Party










Vice President Dirk Kempthorne,
Mountain Party

Spotlight On: SUPERIOR

Superior


AREA
247,000 (5th)
POPULATION
11,348,000 (13th)
DENSITY
45 people per square mile. (16th)

CAPITAL
Minneapolis, Minnesota
STATES
Manistique (Marquette), Wisconsin (Eau Claire), Minnesota (St. Paul), Arrowhead (Duluth), Dakota (Fargo)

RELIGION
Protestant, various
LANGUAGE
English, German, various

NATL INCOME
672 billion
MEDIAN INCOME
$59,218 (7th)

ECONOMY
Superior’s economy is slightly above average. It is not a member nation of the American Northeast Trade Union, but trades freely with (and in large part depends on) those nations and Canada. Its few large cities have a healthy industrial base and an emerging technological field, although they have been suffering a `brain drain’ of hi-tech experts to Canada, Pacifica and Socali. It exports cattle, wheat and timber. Superior is so dependent on trade with Canada that it has considered being annexed by the nation. The cost of living is middle-to-low.

OVERVIEW
Superior was created in the Redivision of 1994 out of land from Lakeland and Montana, due to the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, heavily independent, feeling unrepresented in the Lakeland political system. The name was chosen for the lake under which it is situated after first president Walter Mondale and Foundryan president Gus Grissom could not agree on which nation should keep the name Lakeland. Superior has attempted to establish an international presence, and has enjoyed stable government, a low crime rate, a generally tolerant social climate, and a gradually improving economy. However, trade issues and a spiraling deficit due to infrastructure needs and a struggling health care system have convinced many in the government, specifically current President Paul Wellstone and his Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, that Superior should consider a proposed annexation by Canada. The Independence Party led by former President Jesse Ventura has staunchly opposed this.

HEAD OF STATE





President Paul Wellstone,
Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party










Vice President Tammy Baldwin-Azar,
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Spotlight On: HEARTLAND

Heartland


AREA
395,000 sq.m. (4th)
POPULATION
21,512,000 (7th)
DENSITY
54 people per square mile. (15th)

CAPITAL
Kansas City, Missouri
STATES
Wabash (Evansville), Illinois (Springfield), Ozark (St. Louis), Iowa (Des Moines), Missouri (Kansas City), East Kansas (Topeka), West Kansas (Colorado Springs), Nebraska (Lincoln), Oglala (North Platte).

RELIGION
Protestant, Baptist
LANGUAGE
English

NATL INCOME
1,230 billion
MEDIAN INCOME
$57,157 (8th)

ECONOMY
Heartland’s economy is generally medium-to-strong, but varies greatly with natural agricultural cycles, being based almost entirely off of agriculture. It maintains informal trading with most countries, serving as the primary source of certain foods for some like Dixieland, Montana, Superior, Deseret and Amerindia. It has enough natural resources to be generally self-sufficient, although these are in decline. Its economy is almost entirely agricultural export-based, although it does have to import important goods such as cotton and timber from other nations, so its prices are heavily regulated. Its cities, including Kansas City, St. Louis and Omaha, do have some financial strength, but not enough to truly drive the economy. The cost of living is generally median-low.

OVERVIEW
Heartland maintains a powerful position in continental politics due to its central positioning and agricultural importance. It has experienced times of dire poverty and high crime, as its fortunes fluctuate yearly with the agricultural yield. Heartland became the site of a bitter war with Texas in the 1980s, when that nation forcibly annexed Arkansas and Oklahoma. Though Arkansas voted to allow the annexation, Oklahoma at first did not, leading to a bloody conflict between Texican guards and the Oklahoma Resistance. At the time, Heartland was in a serious economic slump, and eventually did allow Texas to purchase the land. Heartland gained more land in the Redivision of 1994 (in former Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado) and has since repaired relations with Texico. For the most part, the administrations of Heartland have been populist, conservative-agrarian focused, and control of the region has reverted to its pre-Division Republican Party dominance. Current President John Ashcroft (R-Ozark), serving his second nonconsecutive term, has come under scrutiny for increasingly theocratic remarks that many in ANTU nations worry is an indicator of a future alliance with Dixieland.

HEAD OF STATE





President John Ashcroft,
Republican Party










Vice President J.C. Watts,
Republican Party.

Spotlight On: TEXICO

Texico
(The Texican Empire)


AREA
594,000 sq.m. (3rd)
POPULATION
42,792,000 (1st)
DENSITY
72 people per sq.m. (14th)

CAPITAL
Dallas, East Texas
STATES
Louisiana (Shreveport), Arkansaw (Little Rock), Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), East Texas (Fort Worth), Alamo (Austin), Comancheria (Amarillo), West Texas (Lubbock), Tejas (Corpus Christi), New Mexico (Roswell).

RELIGION
Protestant, Catholic, various
LANGUAGE
English, Spanish

NATL INCOME
2,175 billion
MEDIAN INCOME
$50,838 (9th)

ECONOMY
The Texican Empire has probably the strongest economy on the continent. It’s extremely rich in both natural resources and farmland, and its cities like Houston, Dallas and Austin are heavy centers of industry, finance, chemicals, defense, engineering and high-tech growth. As a result, it has the rare ability to be almost completely independent of foreign nations. It does, however, make a significant amount of money from exports to smaller countries, especially in the Caribbean and Central and South America. It generally runs competitively to the ANTU nations and is viewed as an aggressive expansionist, both in terms of business and territory (Texico recently annexed three states from the government of Mexico, almost doubling its size and population). Texico does maintain trade with Dixieland, Appalachia and Mexico, and occasionally, Heartland. The cost of living is median in most areas.

OVERVIEW
Texas was originally the only new nation created by the Division of 1980 made up of a single state (outside of Alaska and Hawaii). This was due both to its size and its extraordinary resources and independence. Three men – Governor John Connally and Senators George Bush and Lloyd Bentsen – were almost single-handedly responsible for the construction of the new nation and its position as a strong international presence right from the beginning. After President Bentsen was assassinated in a Dallas motorcade in 1983 by a Mexican-Marxist radical, President Connally implemented an aggressive foreign policy and economic structure, and by the end of the decade, Texas was firmly established as a plutocracy, with the dominant Lone Star Party being tied heavily into business and the oil industry. In the late 80s, Texas annexed Arkansas from Heartland (wanting access to the Mississippi River), and later invaded Oklahoma, leading to the bloody Oklahoma Border War. Both states would eventually fall to Texas, as would most of Louisiana. In 1996, Democrat Phil Gramm was elected, but soon proved in the eyes of the international community to be merely a figurehead administration designed to allow the Lone Stars a convenient return to power. The administration of Tom Delay almost led Texico (as it had been called since a famous speech by President G. Bush spelling out Texico’s manifest destiny to control Central America) to war with Atlantica and other ANTU nations over the territory of Cancun, which the Mexican government was considering selling. In early 2004, Mexican-Marxist suicide bombers destroyed part of the Alamo in retaliation for what they viewed as Texico’s harmful economic and immigration policies. Texico immediately mobilized its forces and sent tanks rolling across the border into three Mexican states, where they were greeted as liberators by a populace sick of the weakened and corrupt Mexican PRI party. Texico still holds territory in Mexico, despite condemnation by the international community, and the situation has devolved to a legitimate border war between the two nations. There is some question whether new president John Ellis Bush will resolve the situation in peace by withdrawing troops, or escalating the fighting by a full-scale attack on the rest of Mexico.

HEAD OF STATE





President John Ellis Bush,
Lone Star Party










Vice President Karl Rove,
Lone Star Party.

Spotlight On: NEORLEANS

Neorleans


AREA
10,000 sq.m. (20th)
POPULATION
1,717,000 (17th)
DENSITY
172 people per sq.m. (8th)

CAPITAL
New Orleans
STATES
None

RELIGION
Catholic, Vudun, various
LANGUAGE
French-Cajun, English, various

NATL INCOME
40 billion
MEDIAN INCOME
$23,582 (19th)

ECONOMY
The economy of Neorleans is seriously struggling. Neighbor to two aggressive, hostile nations (Dixieland and Texico), Neorleans has so little farmland and industry that its only substantial export is shellfish. It is a member of the American Northeast Trade Union, and is highly reliant on it for necessarily cheap imports. Trade to and from the nation is also problematic; ships traveling north on the Mississippi pass through four other nations before reaching the ANTU bloc; however, Neorleans does control the mouth of the Mississippi and has levied substantial taxes on foreign ships, coming under heavy fire. It is also dependent on the channel between Florida and Cuba. Neorleans does have some strategic oil reserves and is mostly energy independent. It is also popular for its tourist trade in the city of New Orleans. Income is low, and a large portion of the populace is destitute. Cost of living is fairly low.

OVERVIEW
Neorleans was created by charter of the United Nations in 1992, out of land that had belonged to Dixieland. The heavily African-American population was coming into conflict with the administration of white Louisiana Governor David Duke, and the problem was exacerbated when foreign black activists like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton promoted the idea that blacks from all over Dixieland move to the city of New Orleans in order to overpower the electorate and elect a black state government. When their gambit worked and Ernest `Dutch’ Morial was elected, a white backlash ensued. Jackson was assassinated by white radicals, and the region fell into rioting. Governor Duke sent the National Guard in, with over a thousand deaths as a result. Dixieland was forced to give up a portion of the delta to the black separatists, while most of the remainder of Louisiana it would cede to Texico in the 1994 Redivision. Today, Neorleans is a struggling, poor nation, utterly dependant on trade with other nations. It has maintained its black majority in populace and elected officials. In 2007, much of the area was devastated by Hurricane Melissa, setting the struggling nation back even further, but ANTU and international aid prevented a total collapse. The nation has recently undergone an increased militarization, under perceived threat of annexation by both Texico and Dixieland.

HEAD OF STATE





Governor Donna Brazile,
Democratic-Equality Party










Lt. Gov. William Jefferson,
Democratic-Equality Party

Spotlight On: FLORIDA

Florida
(The Florida-Disney National Corporation)


AREA
39,000 sq.m. (17th)
POPULATION
14,601,000 (10th)
DENSITY
374 people per square mile. (2nd)

CAPITAL
Orlando, Kissimmee
STATES
St. Augustine (Jacksonville), Kissimmee (Orlando), Cypress (Fort Myers), Biscayne (Miami), The Keys (Key West), Tampa (Tampa)

RELIGION
Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, Various
LANGUAGE
Spanish, English, Various

NATL INCOME
718 billion (estimated)
MEDIAN INCOME
$49,202 (10th)

ECONOMY
Florida is unique in that it is a nation owned entirely by a corporation: in this case, the Disney Corporation. The nation’s economy is co-dependent with that of Disney since 1990. Generally the economy is strong, maintaining a membership and free trade with the American Northeast Trade Union. Its big cities, including Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville, are centers of light industry and electronics, but the vast majority of the nation’s income depends on international tourism. Unlike most other ANTU nations, it has struck extensive deals with Russia for free trade of natural resources, and in return, Florida has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for middle class Russians. Florida has risen to a place of prominence in Caribbean trade, and has a crucially important trade agreement with Cuba. It is also the largest North American exporter of citrus. Its mostly service economy does make it susceptible to the economies of other nations. The cost of living is middle-to-high.

OVERVIEW
Originally part of Dixieland, the Florida panhandle was sold by President Fob James to the Disney Corporation in 1990. Dixieland had been struggling financially, and was promised favorable trade and other amenities with the new corporate nation. Florida is now governed by an elected Executive Governor, but the Governor’s actions and decisions are largely subject to the whim of the Board of Disney, making the un-elected Executive President of the Disney Corporation the effective leader. Florida is run like a corporation along the governing mandates set by long-term Executive President Michael Eisner (now President Emeritus). Under the leadership of Eisner and numerous Executive Governors, Florida made extensive trade deals with Cuba and Russian Alaska, and joined ANTU, on which it is highly reliant. The popular perception of Florida is a nation with an almost completely content populace; in reality, the government has come under heavy internal criticism from revolutionary, progressive, anti-capitalistic, and independent parties aimed at returning the nation to a non-corporate system of government. In addition, some other nations have cited Florida with quality of life crimes like excessive curfews, draconian laws and the forced deportation of the nation’s criminal and homeless populations.

HEAD OF STATE





Executive President George Mitchell,
Disney Corporation










Executive Governor Mel Martinez,
Democratic Party.

Spotlight On: DIXIELAND

Dixieland
(The Confederate States of Dixieland)


AREA
204,000 sq.m. (6th)
POPULATION
22,960,000 (5th)
DENSITY
113 people per square mile. (13th)

CAPITAL
Montgomery, Alabama
STATES
Georgia (Atlanta), Okefenokee (Macon), West Florida (Tallahassee), Magnolia (Mobile), Alabama (Montgomery), Cumberland (Birmingham), Mississippi (Jackson), Piedmont (Columbia).

RELIGION
Southern Baptist (official), Protestant
LANGUAGE
English

NATL INCOME
747 billion.
MEDIAN INCOME
$32,539 (16th)

ECONOMY
Dixieland’s economy is weak by North American standards. Due to its politics and policies against `secular states’ it maintains no formal trade with any nation except Texas, Heartland, and recently, Deseret. Because of this, certain goods not produced in the region (for example, potatoes, cranberries, maple syrup) are extremely expensive, if available at all. Its cities, including Atlanta, Jackson and Mobile, are centers of light industry, especially in chemicals, food processing and light electronics. With the exception of some recent development in Atlanta, Dixieland suffers a serious lack of hi-tech and finance operations, and a consistent decline of educational standards, leaving the nation competitively outpaced by most of the rest of the continent. Dixieland is mostly dependent on its two richer neighbors for its energy, having lost what slim reserves they did have with the secession of Neorleans. Dixieland has struck extensive deals for sugar and rice with island republics in the Caribbean. A significant amount of the Dixieland populace is destitute, although there is a very small wealthy `plantation class’. The cost of living is generally low.

OVERVIEW
Dixieland is a moderately powerful nation, but is considered a hostile one by much of the rest of the world. In its early history, white Christian conservatives in the Dixiecrat party dominated, leading to nonviolent persecution of both ethnic and religious minorities. This boiled over in the early 1990s, when black separatists, inflamed by foreign activists like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, advocated a mass migration to Louisiana in order to take over the government of one state (similar to the New Hampshire Free State project begun in the 1970s). The Dixieland government cracked down, leading to bloodshed, and eventually the separation of Neorleans. Dixieland profited from the sale of Florida to the Disney Corporation, and in the Redivision of 1994 lost the rest of its land in Louisiana, and some of northern Alabama, but gained land in South Carolina. In 1996, a conflict erupted over an Atlantican plane crash in Okefenokee, but the situation was calmed by governor Sam Nunn, a liberal. When Nunn came to power as President in the next election cycle, international observers expected a progressive revolution in the nation. But within a year and a half Nunn had been violently overthrown by Dixiecratic loyalists led by Newton Leroy Gingrich, who propped up Zell Miller of Mississippi as President. In 2004, an even more fiercely theocratic wing of the Dixiecrats under James Dobson of Louisiana came to power, leading to a massive exodus of progressives and ethnic minorities (including Cynthia McKinney, current Vice President of Pacifica). Dixieland came to further international attention over a rash of hate crimes in 2006. Despite a struggling economy, Dixieland has remained aggressive in its international dealings and, much to the concern of the ANTU and UN member nations, has struck numerous trade deals with Texico. There is further concern among international observers that Dixieland will try to retake Neorleans in the near future.

HEAD OF STATE






President James Dobson,
Christian-Dixiecrat Party










Vice President Ralph Reed,
Christian-Dixiecrat Party

Spotlight On: FOUNDRYA

Foundrya
(The Republic of Foundrya-Lakeland)


AREA
173,000 sq.m. (7th)
POPULATION
42,380,000 (2nd)
DENSITY
245 people per square mile. (4th)

CAPITAL
Toledo, Erie
STATES
Niagara (Buffalo), Pittsylvania (Pittsburgh), Erie (Cleveland), Ohio (Columbus), Michigan (Lansing), Huron (Muskegon), Indiana (Indianapolis), Chicago (Chicago)

RELIGION
Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, Islamic, various
LANGUAGE
English, various

NATL INCOME
2,606 billion
MEDIAN INCOME
$61,496 (5th)

ECONOMY
Foundrya’s economy is one of the strongest on the continent. It is a member nation of the American Northeast Trade Union and freely trades resources with its other member nations. Its big cities, including Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, are centers of heavy industry and powerful finance capitals. Foundrya has enough natural resources to supply its own energy and export some to other ANTU nations. It also is a major exporter of cattle, corn, soy, automobiles, electronics, and iron. It is a prominent international force, although downturns in the automobile industry and heavy pollution have hampered its recent economic growth; however, other continental nations have put restrictions on importing automobiles from overseas, which is expected to help. The cost of living is middle-to-high.

OVERVIEW
Originally known as Lakeland, Foundrya was from its inception a powerful continental presence, containing within its borders much of the former U.S.’s industrial base and major cities. It is a founding member of the American Northeast Trade Union, and is the chief supplier and processor of petroleum and natural gas (along with Canada) for those nations. Despite its wealth and size, Foundrya has gone through difficult economic times, including a serious depression in the early 1990s that resulted in race riots, excessive crime, and the burning of the city of Detroit. Its leadership has fluctuated from internationalist Republicans like Gerald Ford and Lynn Morley Martin, to business-oriented, non-interventionist Independents like Gus Grissom and Jack Murtha, to liberal Democrats like Paul M. Simon. Corruption has run rampant in Foundryan leadership, implicating numerous governors, senators, 3rd Vice President Don Riegle, and 5th President Morry Taylor, who was impeached due to allegations of improper financial operations. Foundrya has maintained itself as an important international power, for the most part allying itself with the other ANTU nations. In recent times, an impending recession and reduced demand for automobiles has again threatened Foundrya’s economy. Newly elected president Jesse Jackson Jr., an Illinois Democrat and son of the iconic assassinated activist, made history as the first popularly elected black president outside of Neorleans.

HEAD OF STATE





President Jesse Jackson, Jr.,
Democratic Party










Vice President Jennifer Granholm,
Democratic Party

Spotlight On: APPALACHIA

Appalachia


AREA
150,000 sq.m. (10th)
POPULATION
18,392,000 (9th)
DENSITY
122 people per square mile. (11th)

CAPITAL
Nashville, Tennessee
STATES Tennessee (Memphis), Franklin (Knoxville), Kentucky (Louisville), Vandalia (Lexington), West Virginia (Roanoke), Westsylvania (State College).

RELIGION
Protestant, Baptist, various
LANGUAGE
English

NATL INCOME
568 billion
MEDIAN INCOME
$30,874 (17th)

ECONOMY
Appalachia’s economy is fairly weak. Landlocked except for access to the Mississippi river, with extensive mountain ranges on two of its sides, and resisting formal membership to the American Northeast Trade Union, Appalachia is at a disadvantage. Its cities have moderate light industry, but a substantial lack of hi-tech, chemical and finance growth. Its chief agricultural products are cotton, poultry, timber and especially tobacco; in recent times, however, other countries have put in place substantial smoking bans, seriously damaging the Appalachian income. Appalachia is somewhat energy self-sufficient on coal and mining, although it has struck informal deals with Foundrya, and more recently Texico, to import oil. Parts of the mountains and the Nashville area have developed a decent tourist trade. In recent years it has taken to heavily taxing its stretches of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in order to bolster its economy, to the discomfort of the ANTU nations. The median income is low, but so is the cost of living.

OVERVIEW
Appalachia is one of the weaker nations on the continent, both in terms of economic growth and international relevance. Difficult terrain negatively impacts trade, and a slightly isolationist and traditionalist mindset, as well as four divisive but often indistinct political parties, have led to frustration and an exodus of progressive and scientifically minded citizens to other nations. Appalachia’s trade agreements are largely informal, and its alliances weak in recent years, although it started off as a member of what would eventually become ANTU. In the Redivision of 1994, Appalachia lost most of its land in North and South Carolina, but gained a substantial portion of Virginia, the middle third of Pennsylvania, and some land in Alabama. Its administrations have been characterized mostly by populist politics, with social conservatism often (but not always) defeating economic issues at the polls. President Albert Gore Jr. (Independent, Tennessee) had attempted to transform the country’s energy policy towards total independence, but conservatives opposed to the slightly higher taxes made that an impossibility. The economy hit rock bottom in the administration of Lamar Alexander (Republican, Franklin). Newly elected President Fred Thompson (Independent-Republican, Tennessee) won on a platform of stronger economic policy, including taxing the Mississippi river. There is some concern in ANTU nations that Thompson would be open to an alliance with Texico.

HEAD OF STATE





President Fred Dalton Thompson,
Independent-Republican Party










Vice President Karen Kwiatkowski,
Independent-Republican Party

Spotlight On: CAROLINA

Carolina


AREA
76,000 sq.m. (15th)
POPULATION
13,308,000 (11th)
DENSITY
175 people per square mile. (6th)

CAPITAL
Raleigh, Pamlico
STATES
Virginia (Richmond), Pamlico (Durham), Charlotina (Charlotte), Palmetto (Charleston)

RELIGION
Protestant, Catholic, Various
LANGUAGE
English, various

NATL INCOME
539 billion
MEDIAN INCOME
$40,480 (13th)

ECONOMY
The economy of Carolina is average but improving. An ANTU member nation, it freely trades resources with its other member nations. Being the strongest ANTU exporter of pigs, tobacco and peanuts, it has been able to keep its independence and economic position strong despite its smaller land area and lack of natural resources. Its cities, including Richmond, Raleigh, and Charlotte, have some strong finance and industry, especially in textiles and electronics. Carolina is largely dependent on Canada and Foundrya for oil and natural gas, which has led to recent flirtations with the Empire of Texico for free energy trade. The cost of living is median.

OVERVIEW
The nation of Carolina was created with the Redivision Act of 1994, with land from Atlantica and Appalachia (though some of this land, specifically the western half of South Carolina now known as Piedmont, would shortly thereafter be annexed to Dixieland). Its founders, notably its first President Jesse Helms, envisioned an independent, conservative government like Appalachia, but with a more up-to-date and less agrarian economy. Internationally, it is not as active as its other ANTU neighbors, although maintains a strong position in continental trade, and has a quickly growing economy due to some smart investing in high-tech fields. Carolina has had a generally stable government, although none of its presidents have yet served more than one term. Due to the death of President James Baxter Hunt in 2003, L. Douglas Wilder became the first African-American in the high office outside of Neorleans (although he was not re-elected on his own right). Recently Carolina has been more aggressive in its international relations, even apparently opening trade talks with the Empire of Texico, which has been roundly criticized by the other ANTU nations. There is some concern that the more conservative administration of President Elizabeth Obenshain bears a stronger ideological tie to Texico than the other northeastern nations; if Carolina were to shift alliances to its southern neighbors, the balance of power on the continent would change drastically.

HEAD OF STATE





President Elizabeth `Libby’ Obenshain,
Republican-Conservative Party










Vice President George Allen,
Republican-Conservative Party

Spotlight On: NEW YORK CITADEL

New York Citadel


AREA
13,000 sq.m. (18th)
POPULATION
18,892,000 (8th)
DENSITY
1,453 people per square mile. (1st)

CAPITAL
Manhattan
STATES / BOROUGHS
Catskill (Poughkeepsie), Long Island (Islip), Connecticut (Stamford), Jersey (Newark)

RELIGION
Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Various
LANGUAGE
English, Various

NATL INCOME
1,542 billion.
MEDIAN INCOME
$81,607 (1st)


ECONOMY
New York’s economy is one of the strongest on the continent, concentrated almost completely in financial, banking and international corporations headquartered in the nation. It has very little land, and most of it is heavily industrialized. It has very few natural resources, and relies almost entirely on trade with other nations. Its lack of energy independence has led to the Citadel both supporting ANTU drives to acquire foreign drilling rights, as well as exploring new methods of energy creation. The cost of living is very high.

OVERVIEW
One of the smallest but most economically powerful nations, New York Citadel (also referred to as New York) was originally part of Atlantica, but claims of under-representation by its generally more liberal populace, in addition to recognition of the monetary advantage of splitting, broke the city and its surrounding area into its own nation in the Redivision of 1994. It is considered an international economic and cultural capital and has a thriving economy, although it is completely dependent on trade with ANTU and other nations. Since the Redivision, which was engineered primarily by Governor Mario Cuomo and businessman Donald Trump, it has had a stable, generally liberal government. President Rudolph Giuliani (Independent, Manhattan) was responsible for the controversial measures of deporting criminals and orchestrating massive over-industrialization – though both measures were successful in promoting the city’s growth and safety. New York has frequently supported the international objectives of its allies, notably by sending troops into the Cancun War for Atlantica. Currently, President Michael Bloomberg (Independent, Manhattan) has driven the nation to unprecedented economic growth, although recent indices suggest that there may be a serious economic downturn in the nation’s future.

HEAD OF STATE





President Michael Bloomberg,
Independence Party










Mayor Elliot Spitzer,
Independence Party

Spotlight On: NEW ENGLAND

New England

AREA
55,500 sq.m. (16th)
POPULATION
10,847,000 (14th)
DENSITY
195 people per square mile. (5th)

CAPITAL
Boston, Massachusetts
STATES
Aroostook (Houlton), Maine (Augusta), New Hampshire (Concord), Vermont (Montpelier), Berkshire (Springfield), Massachusetts (Boston), Rhode Island (Providence).

RELIGION
Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Various
LANGUAGE
English, Various

NATL INCOME 764 billion
MEDIAN INCOME $62,800 (3rd)


ECONOMY
New England’s economy is fairly strong. It is a member nation of the American Northeast Trade Union and freely trades resources with its other member nations. Its big cities, including Boston, Providence and Portland, are centers of finance and high-tech, but industry and small business have suffered under institutionalized policies of high corporate taxes. It exports cattle, fish, timber, textiles, and produces most of the continent’s cranberries and maple syrup, making these products more difficult to come by outside of the ANTU nations. New England is largely dependent on Canada and Foundrya for oil and natural gas, which has led it to join with Atlantica in acquiring drilling rights both offshore and in other nations such as Colombia and Venezuela. Cost of living is high, with substantial pockets of very wealthy citizens.

OVERVIEW
New England is a prominent nation on the continent, but has lost some power in recent years. A founding member of the American Northeast Trade Union, it is highly dependent on other member nations for resources. It maintains a strong international presence, but has so far been unsuccessful in securing drilling rights in other nations, and has to rely on heavily taxed foreign oil. This led to a prolonged conflict in the Panama Zone in the 1980s. In the Redivision of 1994, New England lost little land and formally reclaimed the New Hampshire Free State. For most of its history, the nation of New England has been dominated by the Democratic Party in general, and the Kennedy family in particular (dating back to Vice President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s), widely perceived as a hawkish, left-of-center party favoring the upper class. Besides an Independence Party interregnum administration under Independent William Weld from 1997-2001, the Kennedy-Democratic alliance has held the high office since 1984, and with the exception of first President Edmund Muskie, all presidents have been elected from Massachusetts, the most populous state. Current president John Kerry named his wife, Caroline Kennedy-Kerry, vice president, causing widespread criticism that the Kennedy family was making the gradual transition from a perceived oligarchy to an actual dynastic monarchy. Kerry’s election against popular Independent candidate Lincoln Chafee was rife with allegations of voter fraud. Since the election, New England’s various anti-administration parties (including the right-wing New Hampshire Free Party led by Craig Benson and the Boston Tea Party led by Michael Cloud, and the left-wing Progressive Party led by Howard Dean and the Peace Party led by Samantha Smith) have found common ideological ground. Some ANTU member nations are worried that a possible people’s revolution could be in New England’s future.

HEAD OF STATE





President John Forbes Kerry,
Democratic Party










Vice President Caroline Kennedy-Kerry,
Democratic Party

Atlantica

Spotlight On: ATLANTICA

Atlantica
(The United States of Atlantica)

AREA 90,000 sq.m. (14th)
POPULATION 23,515,000 (4th)
DENSITY 260 people per square mile. (3rd)
CAPITAL Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

STATES Pennsylvania (Harrisburg), Hudson (Albany), Adirondack (Syracuse), Delaware (Wilmington), South Jersey (Trenton), Maryland (Baltimore). Territory: Cancun.

RELIGION Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Various
LANGUAGE English, Various

NATL INCOME 1,447 billion.
MEDIAN INCOME $61,522 (4th)

ECONOMY
Atlantica’s economy is strong. It is a member nation of the American Northeast Trade Union and freely trades resources with its other member nations. Its big cities, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Albany, are centers of finance and light industry, especially in chemicals and engineering. Atlantica is largely dependent on Canada and Foundrya for oil and natural gas, which has led to recent brushes towards acquiring drilling rights both offshore and in other nations such as Colombia and Venezuela. Being in the crossroads of Foundrya, Appalachia, New York, Quebec, Canada and New England, and controlling the Hudson River, Atlantica has risen to a place of prominence in trade. Atlantica controls the Territory of Cancun and its offshore interests. The cost of living is middle-to-high.

OVERVIEW
Atlantica is considered one of the most powerful nations on the continent. Initially containing the former capital of the U.S. and several of its financial centers (including, originally, New York City), Atlantica was for years considered by the international community the strongest successor to the mantle of `America’. It was newly elected first Atlantican President William Scranton (Independent, Pennsylvania) who, in an iconic moment, stood on the approaching tank in the National Mall during the Columbia Coup meant to interrupt the 1981 transition of power. It has maintained a strong international presence, favorable reputation and alliances overseas. During the 1994 Redivision, Atlantica lost significant land (including New York City, half of New Jersey, a third of New York state, two thirds of Pennsylvania, and most of Virginia). Atlantica has mostly enjoyed stable, moderate leadership in the Independence Party. The administration of President Oliver North (Republican, Hudson) pursued an aggressive foreign policy in hopes of solving the oncoming energy crisis, eventually resulting in the disastrous Cancun War with Texico. While the War did result in Atlantica gaining control of a prominent strip of beach in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, it also resulted in Texico taking over three additional Mexican states and Jamaica. In recent years, President Joseph Biden (Independent, Delaware) has initiated a national healthcare package and a new railroad system, but has come under fire for using eminent domain to reclaim commercial land for agricultural use.

CURRENT HEAD OF STATE




President Joseph Biden,
Independence Party.











Vice President Hillary Rodham,
Independence Party

Welcome to the Independent Nations of America.

The date is January 5, 2009.

In a few weeks, it will be twenty-eight years since the Great Division of the former United States of America.

As a reminder, here is what things looked like back in 1981:



Yes. One country.

Here's how it looks today:


Nineteen separate nations and one territorial free zone (and that's not including the nations of Mexico, Canada, Quebec or The Maritimes).

How things have changed.