Modern Megacity formations are caused by a variety of factors ranging from environmental damage and terrestrial resource depletion to ongoing urbanization and centralization of human populations. For modern classification purposes, Megacities are generally defined as populations over 75 million with controlled borders. As of 2099 a total of thirty such population centers exist comprising of 93% of Earth's terrestrial population. The Martian city of Tharsis is projected to be the first non-terrestrial megacity by 2210 according to current demographic trends.
In North America, ten megacities exist largely autonomously with no collective military or legislative. Mayoral executives act as head of state and commander-in-chief in each. All North American megacities recognize the corporate court and use Nuyen as currency but only eight megacities recognize the shrinking federal government's investigation and arbitration authority.
The large federal Republic in former Aztlan. Though it has no constitution and is a considered puppet state of Aztechnology, it has the highest population satisfaction. It produces the majority of magical consumer goods and is the undisputed breadbasket of the Americas.
The Free Californian Megacity is considered the frontier of foreign investment and the true sister city of NeoTokyo. Its heavy Japanocorp presence, premier robotics industry, and Japanese culture has not eased its significant criminal activity which is the highest in North America. The San diego district is hotbed of revolutionary and criminal activity. The Megacity's citizens are among the largest users of Matrix direct connections and it has the highest population of cyberware users and transhumanists.
Home of the East Coast stock exchange and Federal District. The New York Mega is the financial and scientific capital of earth. New York Central has the highest cost of living in the world and its Mayor is considered the richest non-incorporated and non-draconic entity on public record. Its recent drug crime spike and infamous necropolis are at the forefront of its internal issues but the Mega Apple has managed to avoid recent nearby conflicts and enjoys the highest rated infrastructure as a result.
The Chicago Sprawls' two decade long isolation and high tech crackdown on civil rights was considered a positive turn when it first started compared to its aggressive military campaigns of past. Responsible for the decimation of Toronto and St. Louis of which only the latter recovered - its heavily cybered infantry and heavy armored divisions are its pride. The former military and industrial giant has been attempting to revitalize its economy through contracts with Saeder-Krupp and a renewed work visa program.
The triangle mega is still in many ways three cities. With one of the weakest mayor's offices and the strongest alderman, the megacorps control the politics of this city even moreso than the norm. Service industry heavy, it focuses much of its trade on military and law enforcement contracts and is engaged in a cold war with Aztechnology's base of power that often spills over into proxy conflicts.
The "Space City" of former Florida is the trade capital of North America. Its water docks transport most of the region's goods to other continents and its space docks launch the majority of earth's orbital traffic. One of the three former Confederate cities, it is currently the least politically active but retains the highest levels of persecution against meta-humans.
The heart of the former Confederacy in its last days. This city has one of the smallest and most feared militaries on the continent. Its famous magic academies are highly secretive and prestigious. It is also the home of both of North America's dragons. Its population is surprisingly forward thinking and its economic efforts are focused on revitalizing North America's agriculture using space age terraforming.
The highly controversial capital of Amerindian culture. Its current war with St. Louis is largely an aggressive and opportunistic one to distract from the growing rift between the Megacity and the Amerindian population that rejects urban life. Home of Thunder Tower, the earth's tallest tower and largest structure.
Former protectorate of Chicago. Its short lived rebellion ended in disaster for its population. Its gained independence only due to Chicago's isolationist policies. Its current war with Comanche City has continued to make it one of the most dangerous places on Earth. Its resilience is sometimes credited to its large Orcish population and efforts to maintain classic United States values.
The center of Elven life. It is the home city of the majority of the continent's executives, academics, researchers, and cultural icons as Elves continue to dominate leadership and intellectual roles across every city. Non-elven visitors are welcomed in its thriving tourist industry but closely watched. Like Comanche, much of the would-be population rejects urban life.
In space exploration, the Kravitz Generation Ship reached the halfway point in its 139 year journey to the Alpha Centauri solar system. It will be another 4.39 years before the encrypted midway progress report reaches Renraku's Aerospace Laboratories.
In military conflicts, Comanche City commits war parties to a new offensive against the St. Louis guard. Atlanta-Birmingham continues to withhold Ranger units and Grey Wizards from its strategic support of its former C.A.S. ally's defensive campaign.
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