Free Country, USA

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Revision as of 18:07, 5 September 2005

Free Country, USA is the where the Homestar Runner Universe is centered. All of the main characters live, work, and play here.

Geographical Features and Locations

Free Country, USA features gently rolling hills and a verdant field that typically serves as a central link between the various features of the landscape. At the center of the field itself is The Stick, which functions as a landmark and a meeting place for Strong Bad and whomever he chooses to meet there. Rounding out the natural features are mountains (usually seen only from a distance), and a pond with a wharf.

Specific locations in Free Country are treated with a certain ambiguity. Somewhere at the edge of The Field is the Athletic Field, while somewhere near the Sports Field is Bubs' Concession Stand. Logically, the locker room is near the Athletic Field.

Likewise, the homes of different characters do not exist in rigidly established locations around Free Country. With the exception of The Cheat's home (which is also the King of Town's grill and therefore always near the King of Town's Castle ) or Coach Z's locker room, the homes of Marzipan, Homestar and The Brothers Strong, as well as the King's Castle, are all located in locations that have no geographical relation to each other.

Flora and Fauna

The flora of the land is somewhat sparse. Though individual trees are seldom seen up close in Free Country, they are presented as being deciduous as opposed to evergreen, evidenced by the barren branches seen during Free Country's autumn. Shrubs and the occasional bush make appearences from time to time.

Fauna is in even shorter supply. Save for a few crickets, at least one fly and a cockroach, Free Country USA is largely free of life besides the characters themselves.

Politics

Free Country is nominally ruled by The King of Town, but the self-conferred sovereign's reign is not recognized by the populace. Therefore, Strongbadia exists as an autonomous enclave within its borders, free from outside control.

There seems to be a "Town Hall" of sorts, which has been used for various purposes, including a newsroom, police station, and set for the "Dangeresque" films. Free Country maintains a meager police force to ensure that any criminals (usually Strong Bad) are placed firmly in jail (a large cardboard box).

Militarily, Free Country is represented by The Homestarmy, which has intervened in the politics of Strongbadia but appears to represent no political movement.

Economics

The local currency is U.S. dollars (though the use of pencil shavings as currency was started by The Cheat in lackey). However, a strong barter system exists allowing trade of goods and services. Most local commerce occurs at Bubs' Concession Stand.

Estimated Location

In the email "radio," the CGNU radio station's call letters are given as WSBD. Real-world radio designations would place Free Country east of the Mississippi river. Its exact location has yet to be revealed, although it's likely a northern or high altitude town given the snowy weather around Decemberween. Furthermore, in the email anything, Homestar refers to his two liter bottle of Mountain Dew as "soda" which is a term more used in the north-east and in the west. In the mid-west it is frequently called "pop". On the other hand, the scene in the Theme Song Video where Homestar runs around the planet would lead one to believe that it's possible that Free Country is somewhere in northern Nebraska. The Brothers Chaps themselves live in Atlanta, making it a possibility that they draw the landscape according to their surroundings.

History

In the 1930s, Free Country was a home for dirt roads, picket fences, carnival tents and antiquated Industrial Revolution-era factories.

A possible future takes place in the year 20X6, and on Planet K. It looks much like it does today, albeit married with a futuristic city.