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The United States of America was a country in North America. It is the primary setting for all of The Walking Dead (with the exception of The Alien and Typhoon), and a major part of Fear the Walking Dead. It is bordered to the south by Mexico and to the north by Canada.

It reportedly dissolved in late September 2010, after Operation Cobalt, an attempt by the Federal Government to contain the pandemic, failed. Its territory is currently claimed by multiple factions and nations, such as the Civic Republic of Philadelphia, a state created by former elements of the U.S. Government with the sole purpose of reclaiming the 50 states.

Pre-Apocalypse[]

Considered to be the only world superpower left after the end of the Cold War, the United States was an economic powerhouse and a world leader in technology and entertainment, among many other areas. The in-universe President of the United States at the time of the outbreak is unknown, but it is presumed to be Barack Obama, elected in 2008 and sworn in on January 20, 2009. Whoever the President was/is at this time, they were the last de-facto President.

Post-Apocalypse[]

There are numerous, unconfirmed reports on how the outbreak began. It appears that the outbreak in the U.S. began west of the continental divide and spread eastwards across the continental United States, as well as northwards into Canada and southwards into Mexico. (It should be noted that a portion of a newspaper which was released in promotional material for Fear the Walking Dead seems to indicate minor infections nationwide with one or two individuals involved. This would fit with what Shane said about it appearing in isolated locations). France was the origin for the virus - while a modified version of the virus, made as an attempt to cure, or at least contain, the original strain - somehow also arrived in the United States through unknown means.

The initial responders to the crises were local law enforcement agencies such as the California Highway Patrol and the LAPD, as well as field offices of the CDC. Once it became apparent that local law enforcement was unable to handle the situation, National Guard Units were deployed (this would change to regular army units as the epidemic moved eastward). However, lack of information about the infection itself and those it affected led to these organizations gradually being overrun.

The leadership of the U.S. Military, ordered by the U.S. Government, devised Operation Cobalt in order to try and control the outbreaks. First was the establishment of "Safe Zones" within major population centers with a view to use them as springboards to reclaim infected territory. The establishment of safe zones was followed by quarantine of suspected infected individuals (and their termination if infected, with their bodies being burned). If these measures were to fail, then the final step was the large scale bombing of major urban areas to kill the infected. The bombing of Los Angeles was seen in the first episode of Season 2 of Fear the Walking Dead. The bombing of other areas was confirmed by George Geary or witnessed by other survivors (such as Shane and Lori witnessing Atlanta being bombed).

By the beginning of Season 2 of Fear the Walking Dead, it is unknown how many states have been infected, with some reports at this point claiming between eleven and thirteen states have declared emergencies.

US Outbreak map as of S2 of Fear

Outbreaks at the beginning of Season 2 of Fear (grey are known outbreaks, red are suspected).

According to the last broadcast from the Park Ranger at Shuteye Peak, the bombing of major cities has had major ecological consequences (at least in the California area. By his estimation, the fires caused by the bombing of Los Angeles and other California cities will wipe out the forests of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada mountains within a week.[1]

In the Fear episode North, it can be seen that there are still individuals guarding the U.S. border with Mexico. It is later revealed that these are members of Jeremiah Otto Sr. survivalist group and were not sanctioned by whatever remains of the government.

By Season 3 of Fear the Walking Dead (roughly about the time Rick Grimes awakes from his coma), it has been confirmed through independent sources that all of mainland America (and the rest of the world) has been overrun by the walker epidemic. At this stage, it would appear that all local law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Military (apart from scattered outposts) have ceased to function. It is implied that the Continuity of Government plan was put in place, owing to a broadcast by a citizen, however the Federal Government was somehow unable to communicate with elements of the military and it is assumed it was disbanded in the later years of the post-apocalyptic world, however it is also possible they continue to operate albeit in a severely isolated and reduced capacity. It can also be assumed that members of the Federal Government formed the Civic Republic of Philadelphia in an attempt to reclaim and restore the country to its former glory. However, the fate of the US president and his cabinet remains unclear.

As was seen by several characters, particularly Lydia, the Federal Emergency Broadcast System was activated. It ran for roughly twenty three/twenty four days on a loop, before being discontinued and being replaced with a repeating message to "Please stand by." It is unknown who, or by what means, this change was made.

The only known member of the U.S. Congress who survived until after the apocalypse is congresswoman Deanna Monroe.

Civic Republic US Map

Map of the United States, utilized by the Civic Republic of Philadelphia. Locations of Portland, Omaha, and Philadelphia are shown, as well as indications of radioactive fallout resulting from the Nuking of Texas, throughout the south.

Several years after the outbreak, the infrastructure in some parts of the country (roads, bridges etc) is in such poor shape as to be on the verge of uselessness to the survivors. In other areas, the infrastructure is showing only mild dilapidation. Other than damaged caused by Operation Cobalt and vegetation growth, many roads in the Lincoln, Nebraska area seem to be in relatively good condition ten years after the outbreak- even in areas outside the control of the Campus Colony.

By the end of Season 6 of Fear the Walking Dead, the state of Texas was currently devastated by a nuclear warhead launched from the USS Pennsylvania. Victor Strand and Morgan Jones tried to stop the Doomsday Cult from launching nuclear warheads but Theodore Maddox and Jason Riley managed to fire one missile right before they were stopped by the two of them. It is unknown how far the nuclear fallout reached. It is possible that the blast wasn't very large due to the fact that there wasn't any mentions of any nuclear fallout in the other shows.

Locations[]

Alabama[]

  • Birmingham, Alabama
  • Dothan, Alabama
  • Montgomery, Alabama
  • West Midlands County, Alabama
  • Houston County, Alabama
  • Montgomery County, Alabama
  • Interstate 85 - Partially Located Here
  • Interstate 10 - Partially Located Here
  • Chattahoochee River - Partially Located Here
  • The Appalachian Mountains - Partially Located Here

Arizona[]

  • Phoenix, Arizona
  • Tucson, Arizona
  • Maricopa County, Arizona
  • Pima County, Arizona
  • The Border - Partially Located In This Area
  • Interstate 10 - Partially Located Here
  • Unnamed Military Camp - Possibly Located Here

Arkansas[]

  • Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Pulaski County, Arkansas
  • C.J.'s Tent City - Possibly Located Here
  • The Mississippi River - Partally Located Here
  • Interstate 35 - Partally Located Here

California[]

Florida[]

Georgia[]

Iowa[]

Kentucky[]

Louisiana[]

Maryland[]

Maine[]

Michigan[]

Mississippi[]

  • Biloxi, Mississippi
  • Vicksburg, Mississippi
  • Harrison County, Missisippi
  • Warren County, Mississippi
  • The Flip-Flop Truck Stop
  • Augie's Ale
  • Interstate 10 - Partially Located Here
  • The Mississippi River - Partally Located Here

Nebraska[]

Nevada[]

  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Clark County, Nevada
  • Sierra Nevada Mountain Range - Partially Located Here

New Mexico[]

  • Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Santa Fe, New Mexico
  • Bernalillo County, New Mexico
  • Santa Fe County, New Mexico
  • The Border - Partially Located Here
  • Interstate 10 - Partially Located Here

New York[]

North Carolina[]

Ohio[]

Oklahoma[]

Oregon[]

Pennsylvania[]

South Carolina[]

  • Interstate 85 - Partially Located Here
  • Blue Ridge Mountains - Partially Located Here
  • Savannah River - Partially Located Here
  • The Appalachian Mountains - Partially Located Here

Tennessee[]

Texas[]

Vermont[]

Virginia[]

Washington[]

Washington, D.C.[]

West Virginia[]

Other Areas[]

References[]

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