We should have learned the first time. But, here we are.
When people talk about Outlands, they usually mean this area or areas resembling it. It's desolate, nearly uninhabitable, and harsh. Those who do survive here do so by staying moving, or by being tougher than anyone they encounter.
Most towns in this region are still abandoned from their evacuation when air quality collapsed due to Earth's Climate Collapse. Some cities have working Carbon Macrofilters that haven't been carried off for Nomad groups, but Arcologies are rare.
There are some peaceful Nomads, of course. They facilitate most of the terrestrial trade and travel through this region, which happens to be massive and right in the middle of the continent.