Louisiana "The Monster State"

Louisiana, which in this world includes portions of Texas, Arkansas & Mississippi, has always been the least populated state in the union. This is because it is home to so many dangerous creatures that in our world would be called cryptids. Only the heavily walled and defended cities of Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria and Baton Rouge have populations over 5,000, with Shreveport being the largest at 90,000.

Some of the more common creatures found in the state include Sasquatch (several species, including the noxious Skunk Ape), Lizard Men (three species), Swamp Monsters (at least 17 species, including 5 dinosaurs and 2 ichthyosaurs), Giant Snakes (3 species), Mothmen (14-18 individuals, not all of whom are confirmed male), Little People (4 varieties) and Flying Monsters (5 species, including the extremely deadly Owl Man). There are at least 38 other varieties of monster on record, with the smallest being the Walking Mushroom and the largest being a 150 foot long sea serpent that the Cajun people call "Andre."

The Cajuns make up the bulk of the "Outlanders," the residents of Louisiana who do not live in or very near the walled cities. When asked how they can survive in such a monster infested place, they usually reply that "you got to know the land and the critters and respects 'em." Apparently, they do just that, since very few Cajuns die of monster related injuries and those that do "was either drunk or crazy."

Louisiana derives more money from the study and hunting of monsters than from any other source. The next most profitable industries are commercial fishing, agriculture and tourism (almost entirely to the Louisiana Monster Zoo in Shreveport).