The American Arm is the smallest of the three colonial regions. Although the first American outpost was established in 2160 at Barnard's Star, the opening of the American Arm proper dates from the establishment of the outpost at Broward in 2172. This waystation became the crossroad for the two main branches of the American Arm, one leading through Clarkestar (outpost established 2187 to the rich colony systems of King and then branching at New Melbourne into the Australian Sub-arm (to the colonies on Botany Bay and Zeta Herculis) and the American Sub-arm (to the colonies on Mu Herculis and Ellis. The second principle branch from Broward leads to the Chinese Arm.