In the late 20th Century, unprecedented immigration changed completely the cultural foundations of the United States . As new majorities took over, a counter migration began as Americans moved back to ancestral countries. By 2038 the country had a new demographic make up, so Congress empowered a Constitutional Convention to decide the future composition of the country. Some states chose annexation into Canada , Mexico , or Caribe, while others combined into new countries. In 2040 the United States was dissolved by Congress. Another event of the time was climate change that caused most of the United States to be draught stricken except the Northern Appalachians where the United States constructed a huge artificial aquifer. By 2050, Atlantica, a new country, controlled the aquifer and unexpectedly decided to use this water resource to gain concessions from its neighboring countries. This act violated UN mandates and threatened Hemispheric peace. This is the scenario for Kurt Sloan, who decides to escape Atlantica by hiking a long forgotten trail. His journey, filled with unexpected events and people, is woven with these natural and human changes in the world of 2050.