RM>> There are also quite a few areas where there's no way to get there
  >> over the winter months, mixed with others where you can Only get
  >> there in winter after rivers and such freeze over solidly enough
  >> that you can drive on them..

MP>I have read about a few places like that.  Sounds like the logistics of
  >building a permanent road to these places (the ones that are not on
  >islands) is pretty complicated with the freeze-thaw cycles it would have
  >to go through.

Some of those places someone would have to maintain a road that
might be 1000 miles long to service a village with 200 people in it.
Add to that the freeze-thaw damage to roads you mentioned, that
would be a very expensive road to maintain for people who often are
exempt from paying taxes, and not making much money in any case..

Often those places are only accessible by a plane that can
land on water to get their supplies delivered in warmer months.

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 * SLMR Rob  * Misunderstood and Underestimated... Situation normal
 * Origin: Capitol City Online (618:250/1)