No Maine's Land

== Background ==
"No Maine's Land" is the common name for the northern half of former Maine, the 23rd state to join the United States of America. It is often given this nickname due to it's isolation and poor infrastructure, which has discouraged settlementation, and the Appalachian mountains don't help. There are two main railways, one that once connected Quebec to New Brunswick, and one that splits off from the first railway and leads north, connecting multiple pre-war towns like Presque Isle, and eventually reaching near the northeast corner of the state.
Aroostook County is the largest U.S county by land area east of the Mississippi, and is slightly over the size of both Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. Although it does not include all of "No Maine's Land", it is still roughly a third of it and the most well-known county in Northern Maine.
== History ==
Maine has been an important part of the history of North America from the Viking Age to the Great War. It has seen major involvement during the colonialist times, but the state would remain largely untouched by industry.
Northern Maine is largely known for it's tourism industry of preserved natural beauty. There is no major industry north of the Augusta area and lumber is the main good of the region. Presque Isle is the largest pre-war settlement, with a population of 8,678. 
Due to environmental concerns, large amounts of cropland have gradually returned to forest in northern New England, and efforts have been taken by the State of Massachusetts and the State of Maine to recover depleting fishing reserves, which have declined due to foreign competition and additional waste sewage being dumped into the sea from industrial cities like South Boston.
The history of most of Northern Maine isn't that large and most events are minor. There has been some crime from residents in Quebec due to the American Annexation of Canada, but nothing huge.
In an attempt to cripple any government strength in Northern New England, the Chinese launched a warhead much smaller than most of the others, however an anomaly in weather and errors in guidance systems set the warhead off course from Portland and instead hitting the town of Elisworth, Maine, which isolated Mount Desert Island from the mainland due to the destruction of the bridge. This is also suspected to be one of the main causes of the mysterious fog on Mount Desert.
== Economy ==
Northern Maine's industry was largely based on tourism thanks to it's natural wonders. Small lumber companies can be found throughout towns and villages. Cranberries and maple syrup are staples of the small agricultural sector, which are prized and renowned products of New England.
== Infrastructure ==
=== Roads/Railways ===
Four highways exist within the boundaries of No Maine's Land, one Interstate. Two railways run throughout the region, one crossing through Canadian provinces. Few trails are maintained by local communities to keep the fragile trade network alive.
=== Electricity ===
Oil was the dominant source of heating and electricity for modern Maine until the Resource Wars, which eventually saw overhauls to regional infrastructure to connect to nuclear power plants in Northern New England. Some pre-war communities were never connected to the grid. Wood and alternative fuels are sometimes used. As of post-war, electricity is almost non-existent in No Maine's Land. Woodstoves(and rarely fireplaces) are used for heating and cooking.
=== Communications ===
Northern Maine remained virtually isolated from communications until the 21st century, which saw the installation of telephone landlines and radio broadcasting. In the Mid-21st century, Galaxy News opened a transmitter covering the region. As of post-war, all these systems are no longer operational.
== Factions ==
=== Passabscot Unity Tribal Society ===
There were multiple trust lands and sites in favor of small native groups in Northern Maine. When radiation swept in from the nuclear misfire on Elisworth, Maine, a gust of wind pushed radiation into the Indian Township Reservation, killing all people there. When contact was lost with the United States and one of their neighbors, the tribal groups of Passamaquoddy and Penobscot banded together and moved further north. The group, now called Passabscot, was safe in the Appalachian Mountains which were high enough to be spared from most radiation. They found an empty valley and began living there, developing villages and living off of hunting for the most part. As generations passed on, the town began to develop agriculture and grew the small variety of crops that survived largely in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire from trading. They are largely left alone but are peaceful and friendly according to trader reports.
=== The Whisper ===
Once combined with a large amount of other nearby wildlife reservations, Baxter State Forest is a notable national park within No Maine's Land, Before the war, many ranger towers had been constructed within the forest and saw extensive ranger schedules. Nobody knows what happened during or after the war, but travellers should steer clear of Baxter, for when one isn't suspecting it, they are shot by sniper fire. The cause is unknown until now.
=== Township of Presque Isle ===
Although Presque Isle was spared major difficulties and atomic contamination, lack of supplies quickly started to break down social order in Presque Isle. Food ran low and death rates of pre-war residents was considered to be nine in ten people if counting all factors. Presque Isle now remains largely deserted, but is still sparsely filled with pockets of people now living the land and hostile to outsiders, except for an unknown caravan service.
== Demographics: ==
==== POPULATION ====
There is no exact number of population in No Maine's Land. Numbers may range from a few ten thousand people to a measly few thousand. Population density is extremely low and is mainly based in rural areas.
==== SAFETY ====
There are no known raider or super mutant gangs anywhere in No Maine's Land. Feral ghouls are rare, but still somewhat a threat in larger towns and forgotten areas. The main danger of No Maine's Land is the wilderness and its animals. Tightly knit communities and societies do not tolerate even light crimes for their safety.
==== RADIATION ====
Due to natural decay and lack of strategic importance in Northern Maine, radiation is simply a word told in stories around towns and villages. There is absolutely no required preparation for radiation exposure.
==== VAULTS ====
There are no officially constructed Vault-Tec facilities in Northern Maine. Private fallout shelters are present in the area.
Category:United States of America
Category:Locations
Category:New England Commonwealth
Category:Maine