User:Mezawaka/sandbox/Hanstimeline/Terraforming of Mars

Overview
Mars, often referred to as the "Red Planet," has long captured the imagination of humanity as a potential frontier for exploration and colonization. In recent decades, advancements in space travel and terraforming technology have made the prospect of settling Mars a tangible reality. As a result, the population of Mars has seen significant growth, with millions of individuals now calling the planet home.

Terraforming Mars
Among the key discoveries driving this goal was the revelation of vast reservoirs of ice hidden beneath the Martian surface, making it much easier to create oceans in the future. Probes equipped with ground-penetrating radar unveiled vast subsurface ice deposits spanning across the planet, far more extensive than previously estimated. Advanced drilling techniques allowed access to the ice, while thermal energy from nearby power stations melted it, releasing water into the Martian environment. The Terraformers modified the Martian atmosphere to stabilize temperatures for a livable environment. Using automated factories, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane were introduced into the Martian atmosphere. Attention turned to introducing resilient plant species and microorganisms capable of thriving in the Martian environment. Genetic engineering techniques to adapt specific types of microalgae were used in order to produce oxygen on a large scale. By the year 2059, the climate of Mars was very similar to that of Earth itself, making it possible for not only humans but also other life forms from Earth to live on Mars. Following this, the 2060s were the years when most of the current nations formed out of the outposts, creating a basic infrastructure and a founding basis for a new society.

Population of Mars
The population of Mars refers to the total number of individuals inhabiting the planet Mars at a given point in time. As of June 2104, the population of Mars is estimated to be approximately 974,400,000.

Demographics
The population of Mars is composed of three main groups: children, mass migrants, and terraformers. Terraformers, comprising the remaining 9.7% of the population, are pioneers and scientists who played a crucial role in terraforming Mars and making it habitable for human settlement. These terraformers are defined as people who lived on Mars before the year 2060. Children, representing approximately 59.3% of the population, are born and raised on Mars, contributing to the planet's growing society and culture. Mass migrants, accounting for around 30.3% of the population, are individuals who have immigrated to Mars from mostly Earth but also the Moon for several reasons, such as local wars, economic opportunities, or simply individuals seeing new opportunities there. The Global Economic Crisis of the Earth's 2060s happened at the same time as most of the Martian terraforming was complete. Another big wave of migrants came in the late 80s and early 90s, when many people wanted to avoid going to war with the ruthless UAF.

Population Growth
The population of Mars has experienced exponential growth in recent decades, driven by factors such as increased accessibility of space travel, advancements in terraforming technology, and the allure of exploring a new frontier. The average fertility rate on Mars from 2060-2100 is estimated to be approximately 3.88 children per woman, much higher than that of Earth or the lunar countries, contributing to rapid population growth and expansion.

Society and Culture
Unlike the moon, almost all countries on Mars are independent. Most of the nations were funded by countries or alliances. At first, the new nations were more like trading partners instead of colonies, but over the first two decades of population growth. Martian politics were involved with Earth to a much smaller degree. With the exception of West Noachis and the Colonies of the UAR and the joint-colony of the LCC countries. But even these ''Colonies are very autonomous as it is almost impossible to directly govern a land from several million kilometers away. Most countries created their own image, while mostly based on the origin of each region on Earth, some based their identity on an ideology such as the Hellas Internationale Countries or the Empire of Elysium, dominated by its transhumanist beliefs.

Political Systems
There are a surprisingly low number of democracies/technocracies on Mars. Many believe that the early stages of Martian nations, characterized by strong leadership and often socialist, semi-fascist, or monarchic regimes, proved advantageous in terms of stability, fostering rapid development, and addressing immediate challenges. However, as society matured and stabilized, the need for authoritarian control decreased. Despite this, many citizens became content with the status quo and didn't see the need for a change of system. Additionally, cultural diversity, historical legacies, and external influences contributed to the prevalence of hybrid democracies, socialist/semi-fascist dictatorships, and monarchies by choice. While some countries transitioned towards more democratic or technocratic governance models, others maintained their traditional structures, reflecting a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors in shaping the political landscape of Mars. While not affecting inner politics, tension within the political landscape between countries became to increase. This resulted in a few conflicts so far, as well as alliances between similar systems being created.

Conclusion
The population of Mars represents a remarkable achievement in human exploration and ingenuity. With millions of individuals now calling the Red Planet home, Mars stands as a testament to humanity's adventurous spirit and its ability to conquer new frontiers in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery. However, with determination, ingenuity, and cooperation, the population of Mars is poised to overcome these challenges and build a thriving civilization on the Red Planet.