which nations are best "equipped" to survive the ZPAW

[Tater Raider]

Forget nations. Antarctica. Bitterly cold, isolated from other land masses, a population density so low that the risk of cross-contamination once quarrentine is in place is next to nil.

Of course you will end up running out of supplies, but you could last a year to year-and-a-half there and then see what the zeds left behind before rotting away into nothing.

Anything else is connected to everything else via air travel. No where is safe.

[PMCMerc]

wow, never thought about it like that gelgoog.

well I'd have to say the US, at least parts of it. For example Hawaii:

They have very rich soil due to its volcanic roots.
They have several mountains that could serve as lookout/observation points.
They are separated from land by a few thousand miles.
Not sure about their gun laws but they can definitely have some to defend themselves with

at the first sign of trouble, I can foresee the island stopping flights and ships to and from the island. They make their own power so they could still communicate with the outside world, or what is left of it.

So my vote is Hawaii. Just an uneducated opinion/answer

out of all of the opinions here this one is almost right. the only factor you left out is defensive power from the military. aside from the national guard you have every branch of military on the capital island of Oahu(army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard). both marine and army have infantry units, navy and air force would have logistical values as well as security for air and sea. so as far as having a "clean" or infection free real estate i would have to agree that hawaii would have my vote for sure. its just a matter of screening and containment. oh FWIW there are containment protocols set in place if anything unrealistic like this should happen. they are more than less for biological break outs. just my .02

[dzaverl13]

Didn't think of them removing the organs from the mummies, but that's quite true... had a senior moment there.
However, why wouldn't they arise from a 'proper' grave?

What is a proper grave, anyway? Isn't it just a hole dug into the ground with a rotting box in it? How could that keep a zombie in?

because when your buried under 6 feet of dirt it might as well be concrete. If your in a pine box then escaping is pretty much impossible.

Here I'll bury you upto your neck in the desert and you show me how you will escape from that. Hell look at people who are buried alive in an avalanche, even snow has enough mass to it that a full size man under a few feet wont be able to free himself.

If a zombie can climb its way out of a six foot grave, then it should have no problem demolishing even the most secured and sturdy buildings. They wouldn't need doors, they would just smash through the side of the walls like the koolaid man.



if zombies only have the strength of humans, then graveyards are probably going to be the safest places you can find.

I did not see the mythbuster but did they do the test to see if a person could dig there way out or an undead monster? A zombie could dig his way out with time nothing says for sure that zombies have to eat to survive. Lots of times it is said that they kept the basic instinct to feed. With time I bet a zombie could slowly dig his way out.

[theplague42]

Warning: Fanciful speculation follows as I'm rather bored right now

Though I may seem biased, I'd have to say USA/Canada alliance IF zombies from Mexico could be stopped. A good line of defense would be the Rio Grande; not sure about the western border though. The legions of hunters here, organized or not, would make quick work of any zombie invasions. They're used to long-range accurate shooting Lots of guns, highly trained and insanely well-funded yet relatively small militaries, plus one of the largest agricultural regions in the world all make for a good hold-out spot. Plus, the sheer amount of resources that the US and Canada currently have would be a lifesaver. The US does have the third-largest population in the world, but the density is very low.

Second would be Austrailia/New Zealand. Could be self-sufficient for food, and probably enough military and personal firearms to deal with some outbreaks.

Asia is probably doomed other than Sibera, Mongolia, and maybe some mountainous regions near the Himalayas. I can maybe see the Koreas surviving, but all other countries would be doomed by the world's largest population centers. The Koreas would depend on how fast they could settle down and work together. If they isolated the peninsula, it'd be a great place to hold out with the DMZ as your main line.

Japan and the UK are also doomed because of large population and low rates of civilian firearms. Other island nations would last until food ran out. Ireland could possibly survive if agricultural conditions remained good. Iceland is probably set if isolated enough; lack of a military would prove disastrous in the event of even a minor outbreak.

India is literally the world-case scenario for many reasons. Middle East and developed African nations would probably fare well, but I think my reason is politically-oriented so I won't say it.

Europe would be hard-fought because all the nations are developed, but I think the relative lack of natural borders (except for the Pyrennes and the Alps) would end up proving fatal. Italy and Spain would have the best chances simply because of borders.

[aus.templar]

Not Australia, probs Switzerland from what I read...

[theplague42]

Not Australia, probs Switzerland from what I read...

Why not Austrailia?

The Swiss may survive for longer than most, but I can't imagine them surviving surrounded by zombified Europe.

Also, +1 to the Fins. They're tough, resourceful people.

[dirkmanchest]

Hawaii is a near ideal choice for the many reasons stated. Potentially there is enough land for ranches and farming.
And the introduction of an isolated island state/nation solves the problem of resupply to carrier battle groups. The US has 11 nuclear aircraft carriers.
If only half made it there for resupply and assistance, the power and resources of both groups would increase substantially. The smaller outer islands could be reached without difficulty and a working infrastructure could improve.
A battle group would also provide security from infected ships and plane and lead them safely into a quarantine zone. Once the area is pacified, expansion into other island areas would be possible and settlements established to reduce overcrowding. Secure outposts at Wake, Midway, and the US territories in Samoa would be possible.The French have the Charles de Gaulle, but securing Malta, Crete, and Cypress would be dicey. They might be better off joining with us to secure oil rich areas of Alaska to supply the island and the fleet.
The OPEC nation of Indonesia may be closer, but getting that oil would mean dealing with up to 60 million ZED.
One thing for certain is that Dog the bounty hunter and his entire crew would be a perfect long range scout team, parchuted deep into New Guinea.
There, a non political use for our carrier groups.



So my vote is Hawaii. Just an uneducated opinion/answer

out of all of the opinions here this one is almost right. the only factor you left out is defensive power from the military. aside from the national guard you have every branch of military on the capital island of Oahu(army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard). both marine and army have infantry units, navy and air force would have logistical values as well as security for air and sea. so as far as having a "clean" or infection free real estate i would have to agree that hawaii would have my vote for sure. its just a matter of screening and containment. oh FWIW there are containment protocols set in place if anything unrealistic like this should happen. they are more than less for biological break outs. just my .02[/quote]

[Gatshicenteri]

Well obviously the ability of a nation to survive the zpaw is determined by how many ZS members live thier...DUH.

But seriously can you image being in the international space station when the zpaw hits. you would have to watch humanity go to shit then die of starvation.

[Foxen]

Sorry late response to an old post...

Here's my reasoning of WHY Hawaii (which is not a nation, we are part of the US) would not be the best place to survive the ZPAW...

Population... population...population... and we IMPORT just about everything!!!

With MOSTLY everything imported from the continental US or Asia, we are going to run out of stuff VERY VERY fast... this includes our oil which is imported from (if I remember correctly), two Asian countries. We actually refine their oil and keep a percentage to power almost everything in our state. Once things on the mainlan US falls apart and Portland and LA stop shipping stuff, we're in for a major shortage mess. I recall stories of the 1970s when OPEC was increasing their oil cost, folks here starts HOARDING like mad. toilet paper was a HOT commodity because Matson was raising their prices through the roof as shipping almost became impractical for them. Without stuff shipping in, especially FOOD and OIL, things WILL turn nasty FAST.

Here are a few counter points of what was brought up before...

Although there is plenty of land for farming, MOST of that land is NOT being used for farming on Oahu (1 millionish pop). Most of it probably is on Hawai'i, or the Big Island, the largest of the islands. So even IF, say our Governor, instated marshall law, using police power eminent domained land for farming use... it would still take quite some time to start mobilizing farming equipment, farmers, and all the details in between to get the land arable and going... although there are many many acres left barren now that Dole has pretty much pulled out of the Ewa plains. There probably will be a HUGE gap between the time our government kicks in, takes over land, farms it, and gets enough food for people... a hgue enough gap where people panic, starve, and perhaps go crazy and riot like nuts.

Now if our government were to jump on it RIGHT away, it may work... especially if we limited the amount of power output... cause for a lot of those farms... water has to be pumped it. Unlike the mainland, for Oahu at least, we don't have private wells that suck water out of the ground for our own use... I was dumbfounded by the concept when I visited friends in Montana...what, you get FREE water??? What the heck??? Heh. Water use is an issue for us, as with where that water goes, and what is needed to power those pumps into the very dry Ewa plains (where a lot of the Dole pineapple plantations were).

Personally, if there was a ZPAW or apocalyptic disaster...I would rather be on the continental US. I love Hawaii, I lived here most of my life... but in thinking scenarios through and through, we would be screwed if the world basically shut down... at least the folks on Oahu... for the rest of the islands, I think they have a MUCH stronger shot at survival, once the phase where food shortage and starvation kills off the majority of folks in the densely populated areas (namely Oahu)... and IF and only IF we had a strong government (which I don't believe we have now... at least locally), could we possibly survive as a State. I wish I could be as optimistic about Hawaii being the ideal place for a ZPAW... I can only hope ya'll are right.

[ei8htx]

CONUS+Alaska hands down.

We're the best populace-armed first world country (arguably, Switzerland is a close second).

[CiggsWar]

All these remote places would be swarmed with people looking to hide out, one infected would wipe them out. There is always someone trying to hide there bit injuries. 7 billion on a scramble lots of hoping and jumping around. with the infection chasing them. Including all the air and sea transports hijackers looking for there next supply, all the airports seaports, the risks are through the roof in percentages of a double math collaspes, the worse will always be other survirors
who have no prep in things as usally, but it's the mentally aspect in how they aquire them.

[junkyard slave]

ISRAEL would fare pretty well. Every citizen is required to serve 2 years in the military, and they're constantly fending off attacks. And their Krav Maga self-defense style would keep any zombie at a safe distance.

Sadly, AMERICA, as a nation, would fall. Even if only because MEXICO would fall first, and all the zombified illegals would pour in- even faster than the nonzombified illegals are pouring in now. Thered be groups of survivors of course, mostly in the south, midwest, and southwest. Cause everywhere else is too densely populated and no one has guns.

AUSTRALIA would be alright. Unless animals can be zombified... Who could escape a zombie kangaroo?

AFRICAN tribes are survival masters and would spear any zombies to a pulp.

I have a feeling IRELAND would survive. Or maybe I just can't let myself imagine it not being there.

[H. neanderthalensis]

Nations with very low population densities, are geographically isolated, and possess sparse or no industrial infrastructure. Mainly tribal cultures that still pratice hunter-gatherer lifestyles.

Papua New Guineans
Polynesian Islanders
!Kang San (bushmen) of southern Africa
Aboriginal Australians
Amazon jungle tribes
African nomadic tribes
Mongolian nomadic horsemen
Arctic Inuit tribes

[SaikoPureya]

I agree with second poster, rural cutoff countries such as tribes would do well because they are not as to say "addicted" to technology, such as we are. Other than that though, I'd have to say America would be well equipped as well. I think China would be a horribal place to be in an outbreak, too many people.

[SeerSavant]

Right about now, I'm thinking New Zealand might be the only one to last long enough to make it to a ZPAW...

The rest of the world seems hellbent on tearing itself apart..

[the_alias]

Right about now, I'm thinking New Zealand might be the only one to last long enough to make it to a ZPAW...

The rest of the world seems hellbent on tearing itself apart..

You won't be saying that after France beat the All Blacks in the RWC final this weekend

[T-Boon]

Omg, other country's know about rugby?

If we lose Predict riots, if we win, a lot of people calling in hungover for work on Monday.

However the Response to this hasnt been to bad. Always good to see how things go in actual disasters.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/artic ... d=10759978

[Zenir]

Allow me to say this, yes, I know whatever I'm gonna say is not-related to a 'nation' but no harm saying it right?

I'd propose that the country FIRST, to be wiped out from the ZPAW, is my country, No weapons, everyone's nearest considerable weapons would be their chopper and 9-Iron or PS3. I'm just saying..

[books]

CONUS - Lots of civilian weapons, strong military, easily farmed, lots of rural space between population centers, infrastructure to support rapid military response anywhere in North America.

Austrailia - Fundamentally the same as CONUS, with the benefit of a much smaller population, a more easily defended population, and ability to control borders.

Russia - Strong military, lots of gray and black market arms, and most importantly...they're probably the only nation that's capable of making the "hard choices" quickly enough. In a pinch, I could see Russia developing forced labor camps to establish huge anti-z defensive lines, "zombie watch" agencies in population centers, and even carpet-bombing/nuking over-run areas.

Austrailia would probably rely on defending major population centers and closing borders. CONUS would try to put a bullet in every zombie's head. Russia would clamp down with an industrialized iron fist using the experience, techniques, and tools learned from decades running the Soviet Union.

[Moyaccercchi]

[...] Iceland is probably set if isolated enough; lack of a military would prove disastrous in the event of even a minor outbreak. [...]

Well, I really don't know about other island nations, but I think we'd be pretty save here in Iceland. For Isolation we can just close the one international airport that there is, being far enough away from anything important anyway, and militarywise... well, we had the coastguard fighting - and winning - several wars already.

[recs56]

All of these people are saying that countries such as america that are "dependent" on their government will not last as long, but I would beg to defer. I will be showing you this with a very very important example.
That being, We can provide for ourselves.
Contrary to what some people would be saying, we can provide for ourselves. Also we are not entirely dependent of our government. We have a great geographic location to do things such as plant crops and raise cattle. Plus, Our federal government and our state government could be able to provide proper military defenses in order to defend our country. The federal would provide a general militant defense, and the states would provide key, precise, strategic defenses. Thank you for taking the time to read my first ever forum post.

[azrael99]

When i was in the army, a instructor said that a British officer knew how to make the perfect army :
he said

give me British officer, German technology, American budget and Canadian soldier and i will make a army that can outstand any other army

well it sounded something like that.
-British officer are fine tactician and know how to use their troop
-German technology are the finest and best quality one. their weapon, vehicle, tank outstand any others.......but are overprice
-American are the one with the biggest military budget they even have more vehicle and equipment than soldier they have access to many company and have the resources necessary
-Canadian are one of the best soldier (i don't flattered our army but i agree) and mostly the most versatile soldiers, they can do pretty much anything. one soldier can, drive multiple vehicle category (transport, recce, combat), shoot most light medium and heavy weapons with reasonable accuracy and effectiveness with most of them. can even use radio with basic effectiveness.
i don't say others soldiers in others army can't, but i know for a fact that WE can and are reputed to do so as i were in the Canadian Forces.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

I'd say a 4th world country. Sub-third world. Just one more predator to put on the list. Antarica is a close second, followed by the desert portions of the middle east, since the zeds would cook in the day, and freeze at night.

[Omega DR]

To control a Zombie outbreak, a Nation, meaning it's Government, must control it's population, movement within it's borders and it's national borders. The US has no control over it's borders, during a zombie outbreak that situation would only get worst. Max Brooks pretty much nailed it, when he predicted Israel and Cuba would be two nation most prepared to whether a ZA. Both of those nation would have no problem taking out entire neighborhoods or towns to stop an outbreak.
While the US and Russia have more gun per citizens, the size of our Countries is also a problem. Years, maybe decades after a ZA, we could be find zombies in the far corners of this country.