The Wastes

A large red desert sprawls out in front of you with the occasional shrub stubbornly eking out a life. The air is dry and the temperature is mild. In the darkness of the night you could see the bright lights of different settlements in the distance. Which way will you go?

Population:
Surface:
Government: Divided
The Wastes was the first place where colonizers settled when they landed on Mars. It is dotted by different settlements with different ideals and ways of life as well as large companies who themselves often act as settlements for their workers. Neo Sim was the first settlement in The Wastes and thus on Mars.
While most settlements have their own ideals and costums, there are some similarities they all mostly share. They all have a mayor and a sheriff. How these are elected and what their exact job is differs from settlement to settlement. They all have some way of providing for its settlers, be it through trade or other means and they all claim to have the best way of life.
While technically considered a single country, there is no central government, each settlement has its own system. This leads to a few problems, mainly safety. Gangs roam the lawless wastes and the huge duststorms on Mars can make travel difficult for weeks. Not to mention the rumor of the Revenant.
The people of the Wastes are a hardy kind, valueing ideals and self sufficiency. Strength is seen as important trait, be it acquired through camaraderie, competence or wealth. The untimely death of people is seen as a great loss and will often lead to strong measures of the authorities or the forming of revenge possies.
Locations:
Settlements:
Neo Sim
Soden
Haipee Village
Hendel(location)
Ore
Bayside
Hexacross
Madera
Olivera(location)
Ragloth(location)
Tolaria Valley(location)
Highwater
Spire(location)
Companies:
Smith Cattle Company
Thumbs Up(organization)
Caseys(organization)
Classic Origins(organization)
Other:
Trashtown(location)
The Circus
Mouse Bar
Rock Spire(location)
One Armed Base(location)