ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

The Nine Nations of North America

So, you know how there are different countries in the world like the United States, Canada, and Mexico? Well, those countries are made up of different regions or areas that have their own unique qualities and cultures. They're kind of like little nations within the bigger nations.

One person named Joel Garreau wrote a book about nine of these regions in North America. He called them "nations" because they're kind of like their own countries, but not really. Each nation has its own personality and way of doing things.

Let's go through each of the nine nations and talk about what makes them special:

1. New England: This nation is in the northeast part of the United States and includes states like Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. It has a lot of history and is known for things like clam chowder and lobster.

2. The Foundry: This nation is around the Great Lakes region and includes parts of the United States and Canada. It is known for being a big industrial area with factories and lots of production.

3. The Breadbasket: This nation is in the middle part of the United States and includes states like Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. It is known for producing lots of food like corn and wheat.

4. The Islands: This nation includes places like Hawaii and Puerto Rico. They're unique because they're not part of the mainland United States.

5. Mexamerica: This is the area along the border of the United States and Mexico. It's a mix of both cultures and has a lot of customs and traditions from both places.

6. Ecotopia: This nation is in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and includes states like Washington and Oregon. It has a lot of forests and natural beauty, and people care a lot about the environment.

7. The Empty Quarter: This nation is in the middle of the western part of the United States and includes places like Nevada and Utah. It is mostly desert and not a lot of people live there.

8. The Foundry: This is another "Foundry" nation that includes parts of the United States and Canada. It's closer to the eastern coast and is known for manufacturing and industry.

9. The Islands: This is another "Islands" nation that includes places in Canada like Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. It's unique because it's made up of a bunch of small islands.

So, those are the nine nations of North America! They're not official countries, but they help us understand the different areas of North America and how they're different from each other.