by Simon Coates
Life on Earth
Population in 2298: 34 billion
Collective term for someone born on the Earth: Earthite
Capital City: Tokyo, Japan
The Earth is where life began, indeed at the present day despite an extensive search of the solar system and beyond, using the most advanced telescopes and detection systems, no intelligent life has ever been known to have formed on any other celestial object.
The Earth remains the main population area for humans, with a population of 34 billion people, which is nearly ten times the population of Mars, and almost twenty times the population of the Moon. Earth also has two Type 5 spacestations orbiting itself, the Isaac Newton, the first Type 5 spacestation and Genesis, which is under construction.
Earth has many areas of outstanding natural beauty, which are protected by law, including the Lake District in England, Yellowstone Park, the Grand Canyon in the USA, the Amazon rainforests and various mountain ranges in France and Italy, amongst others. It is still the preferred place to live, and as a result, property prices tend to be higher than similar sized houses on Mars or the Moon.
The planet itself is organised in various sections, taking advantage of the relative ambient conditions and weather. The main power systems are solar and nuclear, positioned in the most advantageous locations, for example the main solar power stations are in the Middle East and other areas where sunlight is highest. Countries located in Europe are the heartlands for vegetable production, due to their relative temperate climates suiting this. Indeed, food export to the Moon and Mars is a major economic strength of the Earth, as certain foods such as ground-based vegetables can only grow on the Earth.
Life on the Moon
Population in 2298: 2 billion
Collective term for someone born on the Moon: Moonion
Capital City: Sinus Iridium