Free Country, USA
From Homestar Runner Wiki
Free Country, USA is the where the Homestar Runner Universe is centered. All of the main characters live, work, and play here.
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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 Athletic 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 found 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 the fish in the pond, a few crickets, at least one fly and a cockroach, Free Country USA is largely free of animal life besides the characters themselves.
Politics
Free Country appears at first glance to be a monarchy, since it is nominally ruled by The King of Town. However, the self-conferred sovereign's reign is not recognized by the populace. Therefore, Free Country could be considered to be in a state of anarchy, where there is no accepted government but the members of the community co-exist with loosely established rules that maintain order.
To this end, Free Country can muster a meager police force to ensure that anyone engaged in criminal behavior (to date, only Strong Bad and The Cheat) are placed firmly in jail (a large cardboard box). Having no need for an army, Free Country has no military. It is home to the Homestarmy, a militia which has intervened in the politics of Strongbadia but appears to represent no cohesive political movement, other than discontent stemming from "playing second fiddle to a two-bit wrestleman and his yellow dog."
Besides the King's castle (which would be the seat of government if the King's rule had any legitimacy), 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, though not for actual political administration.
Strongbadia
Within Free Country's borders, the territory of Strongbadia exists as an autonomous enclave. Strongbadia has a flag, a national anthem, and has even had to defend its autonomy from outside aggression (as seen in army). Whether or not Strongbadia is a real country is open to debate, since the population of Strongbadia is a tire.
Economics
The economics of Free Country are as ambiguous as the locations and politics of the territory. Although the local currency is U.S. dollars, none of the residents save for Bubs appear to be regularly employed. It is therefore unclear in what manner currency arrives in Free Country, as the residents are generally not seen interacting with the outside world. The official currency is augmented by a strong barter system that allows trade of goods and services; most local commerce occurs at Bubs' Concession Stand.
Though their use has not been seen recently, pencil shavings (used by The Cheat in lackey) were accepted as currency at one time.
Free Country Through Time
In the 1930s, Free Country was characterized by dirt roads, picket fences, carnival tents and antiquated Industrial Revolution-era factories.
In the futuristic year 20X6, Free Country may or may not be one and the same as Planet K. While Planet K looks much like the current Free Country, it features significantly more architecture, to the possible extent of having a full city.
Estimated Real-World Location
Viewers of Homestar Runner have variously speculated about the "real" location of Free Country, USA, though it can be safely assumed The Brothers Chaps prefer to leave its location undetermined. The following collected observations may be used to interpret the "real" location of the territory.
- 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.
- Free Country is likely in a northern latitude or high altitude given the snowy weather around Decemberween.
- 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".
- 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, Georgia, making it a possibility that Free Country is located in the Southeast.
