Marineris 

Coordinates: -66, -16
Nearest landmark: Valles Marineris
Population: 19,000
Origins: US-led program

This was the first fully self-sustained colony founded in 2039 by a U.S. lead mission.  The settlement is located in the Valles Marineris region.  It is semi-independently operated, with economic ties and dependencies to several Earth nations.

Marineris can be considered ‘The New York’ of Mars, both in respects of its large population (the largest on Mars, plus sub colonies), a balanced mixed culture, and great economic wealth.  The people of Marineris are proud and regard themselves as ‘the capital of Mars’ (much to the chagrin of other settlements).

Tiangong (天宫) 

Coordinates: 70, 10
Nearest landmark: Sytis Major Quadrangle
Population: 13,000
Origins: China-led program

Tiangong literally means “Temple of Heaven”.  This Chinese funded colonization project was initially one of the largest and most ambitious.  With heavy investment to become a Martian super-power, Tiangong was the fastest growing colonies, however shortly after establishing Huacheng in 2045, Tiangong had a major facility incident that caused hundreds to perish.  Thanks to aid from Marineris, the incident was contained and marked an historic milestone that set a tone for peaceful co-existence for all colonies that followed.  An economic correction in China at the same period resulted in scaled back investment on Mars.

Culturally, Tiangong is akin to Hong Kong with a majority of Chinese, but home to a variety of ethnicities.

Coordinates: -130, 22
Nearest landmark: Olympus Mons
Population: 12,000
Origins: US/International independent organizations

This mission colonization project was privately funded by a consortium of ‘Silicon Valley’ billionaires.  San Olympus prides itself on tenacity, ingenuity and is fiercely independent. It was established a little over a year after after Tiangong

The settlement has maintained a strong ‘west-coast’ vibe with the people tending to be adventurous, entrepreneurial, and have a strong sense of social awareness.

San Olympus is culturally diverse in the western sense, but has developed a thriving Latino community.

Huacheng (中华城)

Coordinates: 146, 1
Nearest landmark: Elysium Planitia
Population: 11,500
Origins: China-led program

Huacheng means “castle” or “fortified settlement”.   After Tiangong stabilized, companies pushed East and selected a region near Elysium Planitia to break ground.  Habitations were constructed in advance and new wealthy migrants from China started populating Huacheng by 2045. Of the major settlements, Huacheng was the most insular and continues to be heavily influenced by Beijing.  When interest from China declined, Huacheng increasingly welcomed skilled and wealthy foreigners as demand surged from other nations.

Huacheng is more traditional Chinese compared to Tiangong.  The population is dominantly Chinese.   Mandarin is the primary spoken language, however, everyone is English-fluent.

Europa

Coordinates: -10, 3
Nearest landmark: Firsoff
Population: 14,600
Origins: EU-led mission

Europa is situated near the Firsoff Crater and boasts itself as the 2nd largest population centre on Mars.  It was founded in 2046 and mirrors the cultural and ethnic diversity of its founding countries.  It is regarded as the ‘Paris’ of Mars.  

The first organized sport and football clubs were founded in Europa and is the MAFL (Martian Aero Football League) headquarters.

Novyimir (Но́вый Ми́р)

Coordinates: 30, 36
Nearest landmark: Ismenius Lacus Quadrangle
Population: 10,000
Origins: Russian-led program

Mir (Ми́р) means ‘World/Peace/Village/Community’ (also remember Mir Space Station) and Novyi (Но́вый)  means ‘new’ and .  It was founded in 2047 and named after the Mir space station. 

Having landed in 2039, the Russian invested in a manned-explorative expedition, KMH.  After extensive research and planning, the expedition broke ground near Ismenius Lacus quadrangle.  Though KMH continues to operate with direct funding from Russia, Novyimir, like most Martian colonies, self-governed. This location made it the Northernmost colony on Mars. 

The population is 36% caucasian with a relatively equal representation of ethnicity.  

Al’amal (الأمل)

Coordinates: -35, -37
Nearest landmark: Nereidum Montes
Population: 8,000
Origins: UAE and private led program

Al-amal, meaning Hope in Arabic (and was also the name for a UAE spacecraft).  Despite UAE having early presence on Mars through smaller projects and joint-ventures, Al-amal wasn’t founded until 2049.  

Al-amal has strong ties with Amrita due to numerous co-ventures and shared resources.

Dominantly a Muslim population, the culture and attitudes resemble that of Dubai.  The settlement is extremely well funded and features many unique luxuries.

Amrita (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ)

Coordinates: 16, -28
Nearest landmark: Huygens Crater
Population: 7,000
Origins: India led program

Amrita (meaning ‘immortality”) was founded in 2050 at the same period  Al-amal was under development.  The  population is dominantly Indian (greater than 60%) due to the pent up demand from South Asian markets.   

Amrita is known for its colourful aesthetic, sense of spirituality and spice for life (literally).  Amrita trades people paid exorbitant amounts to import foods and spices prior to establishing local methodologies to produce flavours that resembled that of traditional Indian cuisine at the volume required for local inhabitants.  This contributed to an agricultural and culinary ‘renaissance’ on Mars. 

Columbia Hill

Coordinates: -111, 3
Nearest landmark: Tharsis Monte
Population: 2,500
Origins: US Independent

Columbia Hill broke ground in 2039 at the same time as Marineris.  This was the first independently funded program to break ground.  It struggled financially at the end of the 2040’s and  because of this did not see significant growth during the 50’s.

Columbia Hill has since stabilized and become somewhat of an exclusive place to reside, however it continues to have little aspiration to grow.

Wendland

Coordinates: 35, -30
Nearest landmark: Mare Serpentis
Population: 3,400
Origins: European Independent

Wendland was an Europa-lead expansion project that was funded by private investors from Germany and the Netherlands.  Wendland is dominantly caucasian, however, has a large Korean contingency (approximately 15% of the population).  

Wendland is the homebase to multiple heavy machine manufacturers. 

Mareotis

Coordinates: -76, 44
Nearest landmark: Memnonia Sulci
Population: 400
Origins: International Independent

Mareotis was the last Earth funded settlement.  Landing in 2060 and without support from any of the existing colonies, the program struggled at its onset.  The Martian Immigration policies ratified in 2062 compounded its problems making it impossible for Mareotis to satisfy its growth commitments.  After securing funding from Mars-based organizations, Mareotis stabilized.

This is the only settlement that does not have issues with capacity.  With 2 phases completed just prior to immigration restrictions, Mareotis was prepared to sustain 1000 permanent residents.

As a waypoint between Europa, Novyimir and San Olympus, Mareotis has reinvented itself as a ‘resort town’ on Mars, taking advantage of previously unused facilities.

Chariton

Coordinates: -40, -57
Nearest landmark: Charitum Montes
Population: 530
Origins: Marineris

Originally a remote mining facility, Chariton has become increasingly self-sufficient since 2066.  Effectively still managed by Marineris, Chariton has an appointed facility manager rather than its own local council.

The majority of population work with companies affiliated with the mining operation.