There are hundreds of cultural groups across the surface of Mars, but most of them can be placed into one of ten main ethnic groups: Monsian, Tharseese, Delphin, Tunnellers, Hellshen, Charusian, Classical Aresian, Ascrasen, and Elysian.
Many of these groups are transnational, and do not corrispond to national borders
The next two largest groups are the Tharseese and the Delphins, named for the Tharsis Basin, the economical and industrial heartland of Mars, and for the area around the peak of Delphi. The Hellshen are from the 11th District which covers the whole of the Hellenic Region. The Charusians, Ascrasens and Elysians are all named for the regions they come from. The Classical Aresians and the Gideons are those named for their ancestors. The Classical Aresians hold their ancestors in high regard due to their control of early Martian government and are often highly supremacist and nationalistic with extreme distaste for non-Martians and immigrants. Gideons are the smallest part of the demographic, made up of those who can trace their lineage to the earliest colonists on Mars.
Monisians
Monsians are from the Olympus Mons region, as well as surrounding areas. The Olympus Mons Megalopolis is the largest city on Mars, and Monsians make up a sizable portion of the Martian population. With a high quality of life, education, and job prosepects, they are seen as the average Martian. The Monsians also make up a sizable portion of Martian emigrants, having been involved in many of humanity's early interstellar colonial attempts. Aresians, Gideons and Hellshens are not fond of the Monsians due to this cultural dominance. Most oligarchs in the northwest of the continent are Monsians.
Tunnellers
The Tunnelers are the residents of the many under-cities of Mars. Tunnelers are typically tall and pale, and often require Vitamin D supplements for much of their life. The Tunnelers are not a defined group of people, and inherit the traits of the cultures of the cities above them. Despite this, a sense of community has developed between them, with a distinct tunneler identity forming within. Despite a reputation as a dangerous place, the under-cities are extremely varied, with some being well-kept with a high quality of life, and others being neglected and run-down. It is no surprise that the under-cities in need of support are the ones with higher crime rates. Due to the number of under-cities, the Tunnelers vastly outnumber every other demographic on Mars, but as an insular culture, similar to Space-Adapted, they are not often seen off Mars.
Delphin & Tharseese
The Delphins and the Tharseese are the descendents of Levant peoples who migrated to Mars in the late 21st century. The biggest difference between the people is that the Delphins migrated to the planet first, and then assisted the Tharseese in their acclimation to the planet. The two cultures have had a consistent friendly rivalry that they celebrate yearly. Having put aside historical differences in the face of adversity, the combined Delphin and Tharsis districts are amongst the most peaceful on Mars. They are also considered the most religious on Mars, having Christian, Islamic, and Jewish heritages.
Hellshen
The Hellshen are the most rural of the Martian people. Settled as an agricultural hub, the entire region is geared towards food production, and has thus received a negative stigma of being home to rednecks, country-folk and hillbillies of Mars. The Hellshen are a hard-working people, living among HEB mechs, AgriDomes, and super farms. The terraformed Hellas basin is a vast and hospitable sea, though much of the sea's surface has been covered with aquaculture facilities.
Content and conservative, the Hellshen people are often stubborn and reclusive, though they exist in numbers off-world, forming the backbone of the
Terstener culture.
Argyriot
Argyriots come from the southern Argyre Planitia Region and make up much of the rural southern districts of Mars. They are some of the oldest city states, outside of Olympus, and the region is most known for its vast Martian national parks, dedicated to the historic Martian landscape. The Argyre Planitia Sea takes up much of this region, being a prime fishing spot, much of the Argyiot coast is dedicated to this industry.
Ascraesens
Ascraesens live mostly in the high mountains of the Gideon Highlands, located around Ascraeus Mons and are a historically reclusive people. The Ascraeus districts are seen by outsiders as an authoritarian and rough place to be, and its people have done little to dissuade this stereotype. Despite this, they are often found off-world, with many younger Ascraesens choosing to find a place more welcoming to them.
Elysians
Elysians come from the large island in the northwest of the continent, and are known for their tolerance and progressive (for Mars) views. They are viewed differently by the other Martians. Most see them as the home of Martian art and culture, but some a minority see them as too progressive. The Elysium Isles are considered a social democracy, with an emphasis on the arts. Culture is seen as more important to them than industry, and many of the greatest musicians and artists from Mars have come from Elysium.
Classical Aresians
By far the most secluded demographic on Mars, Classical Aresians exist all across Mars, typically in close communities with limited interaction with outsiders. Historically, they were a dominant culture of Mars prior to the founding of the United Systems of Sol, colonising
Lordania, where they diverged to become New Aresian. In the years following, their beliefs, which many would call extreme and intolerant, found them many enemies within the greater Martian community, who eventually forced many off-world or out of dominant political positions. Many Aresians fled Mars to Lordania during the reign of the New Aresian
People's Republic of Lordania.
Gideons
Gideons are a unique ethno-religion originating on Mars. While commonly assumed to be the descendents of the first person on Mars, it is a popular misconception. They are the many descendents of the first Martians who followed Jimmy Gideon and his teachings. Their beliefs -known as Gideonism- were influenced by Gideon's childhood passion, Star Trek, "to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before", mixed with Gideon's own beliefs of polygamy and having as many children as possible as to effectively grow a colony population as quickly as possible.
Despite this, Gideons on Mars are few and far between, often thinner and taller than the average human. Their most defining feature however, is that they make it very clear they are a Gideon. With an organised council of Gideons, led by Jessica Gideon, Jimmy Gideon's granddaughter, being considered a Gideon is an extremely difficult thing, reserved only for those who pass their criteria.
In some City-States, Gideons often possess a minor celebrity status and often get elected Governor of smaller communities, cities and townships simply for being a Gideon. They are the only other cultural group on Mars that the Aresians accept with somewhat open arms, due to their connection to the founding of the Red Planet.
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