B5. Strategic Zand Selection

Simplified summary results shown that gives the headline sentiment of the much more detailed analysis that cannot fit in this Codex.

Grid & counting

Mars tiled in 6° latitude × 15° longitude cells (“Zands”).

24 latitude bands × 24 Zands per band = 576 total Zands sub-polar (624 total).

The 30–42°N belt (two 6° bands: 30–36° and 36–42°) contains 48 Zands (2 bands × 24).

Per-Zand area (by band)

30–36°N: ≈ 264,035 km² per Zand.

36–42°N: ≈ 244,665 km² per Zand.

Candidate Zand Sets in Top Four Candidate Quads

Delta Quad — “Arcadia”: 185–215°E → 4 Zands (2 in 30–36°N, 2 in 36–42°N) → ≈ 1.02 million km² total. → Selected for the first settlement.

Gamma Quad — “Phlegra”: 150–180°E → 4 Zands (30–42°N candidates, not selected).

Beta Quad — “Utopia”: 80–110°E → 4 Zands (30–42°N candidates, not selected).

Alpha Quad — “Deuteronilus”: 5–35°E → 4 Zands (30–42°N candidates, not selected).

Coverage of the selected set (Delta/Arcadia only)

Count: 4 Zands.

Share of all Mars Zands: 4 / 624 = 0.64% (by count).

Share of the 30–42°N belt: 4 / 48 = 8.33% (by count).

Approximate surface area: ≈ 1,017,400 km² (2×264,035 + 2×244,665).

First-settlement note

The Delta Quad “Arcadia” subset (185–215°E, 30–42°N) is the designated initial Zand set for the first settlement on Mars; all other candidate subsets remain unselected.

Ultimately the sector at 35N 215E was selected (west of the Lycus Thrust, Acheron Fossae zone).

Port Harmonia, Amazonis Planitia, Arcadia, Delta Quadrant, 35N, 215E (near the foothill beginnings of Olympus Mons.)