Why did Elon Musk choose Mars for his venture over a closer planet?

Elon Musk has long been fascinated by space exploration, and he has set his sights on colonizing Mars as a way to make humanity a multi-planetary species. While other planets like Venus, Mercury, and even the moon might seem like more viable options for exploration, Musk chose Mars for several reasons.

• Similarities to Earth: Mars is the most Earth-like planet in our solar system, making it a more hospitable environment for human life than other planets. It has a day/night cycle, an atmosphere, and temperatures that are not as extreme as other planets, making it more suitable for human habitation.
• Resources: Mars is rich in resources such as water, which can be used for drinking, agriculture, and even rocket fuel. Its soil contains the nutrients needed for growing crops, making it a potential location for a self-sustaining colony.
• Exploration history: Mars has been the focus of space exploration for decades, with several successful missions to the planet already completed. This means that there is already a wealth of information about Mars that can be used to plan future missions and settlements.
• Long-term goals: Musk's ultimate goal is to make humanity a multi-planetary species, and Mars is the most viable option for achieving this goal. While it may take decades or even centuries to fully colonize Mars, it is a stepping stone towards a future where humans can travel and settle on other planets.