Revision 42254708 of "Universe of Star Wars" on enwiki

[[Image:Galaxymap1.jpg|200px|thumb|Map of the Star Wars galaxy released by Star Wars Insider]]
The fictional [[galaxy]] where the setting of the ''[[Star Wars]]'' saga occurs is known simply as the '''Star Wars galaxy''' while in the canon it is referred as the Galaxy or the Known Galaxy. Fans refer to it as the '''Galaxy Far Far Away''' or '''GFFA''' for short. Judging from the maps, it appears to be a galaxy of [[Galaxy classification|Sb type]]. According to some sources the length of the galaxy is 120,000 light years across.

There are approximately 400 billion stars and around half of these have planets that can support life.  10% of those developed life, while [[sentience|sentient]] life developed in 1/1000 of those (about 20 million).

==Galactic divisions==
The Galaxy is divided concerning the distance from the core.
===Deep Core===
The '''Deep Core''' is at the center of the galaxy, even closer than the [[Core Worlds]] like [[Coruscant]] and [[Alderaan]].

It has countless stars packed together in a relatively small area, so hyperspace travel is slow and dangerous.  The intense radiation and relatively young stars mean that it has very few inhabitable worlds compared to the rest of the galaxy.  After the [[Battle of Endor]], Imperial forces loyal to the ressurected Emperor [[Palpatine]] fortified the Deep Core as a bastion of Imperial might.

The few known worlds of the Deep Core include [[Byss]], Khomm, Ruan, and the [[List of Star Wars Planets#Empress Teta|Empress Teta]] system.  The [[Koornacht Cluster]] is one particularly dense area of stars, located at the edge of the Deep Core bordering on the Core Worlds, and contains numerous planets including [[N'Zoth]], the homeworld of the [[Yevetha]]. The moon [[Ebaq 9]] was the setting for a major battle during the [[Yuuzhan Vong invasion]], resulting in a [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]] victory following the successful execution of a trap for the [[Yuuzhan Vong]]

'''Reference'''

* {{cite book|author=Horne, Michael Allen|title=The Dark Empire Sourcebook|publisher=Honesdale, PA: West End Games|year=1993|id=ISBN 0-87431-194-2}}<br>

===Core Worlds===
The '''Core Worlds''' are the known worlds, or planetary systems, that are near the core of the Star Wars galaxy. These worlds are rumored to be the first planets in the Star Wars universe to hold [[Human (Star Wars)|human]] life. These humans expanded and formed the [[Old Republic]]. [[Coruscant]] is by far the most important of the Core worlds and is, according to legend, the source of the first humans. However, there are numerous other worlds which can be found in this dense region of the galaxy. The Core can be divided into three regions: The Deep Core, the Core Proper and the Colonies (sometimes considered a separate region). The Deep Core is the location of the Koornacht Cluster, Byss, Ebaq and countless other worlds; so many, in fact, that hyperspace travel through the Core is tedious and even treacherous. It was to [[Byss]] that the dis-embodied consciousness of Emperor [[Palpatine]] fled to in the years following his death at the [[Battle of Endor]].  

The Core Worlds contain millions of systems, including Coruscant, [[Alderaan]], [[Corellia]], [[Chandrila]], [[List of Star Wars planets (M-N)#Nubia|Nubia]], [[List of Star Wars planets (C-D)#Duro|Duro]], and [[Ciutric]]. Less dense than the Deep Core, the Core Worlds are the center of commerce and society in the galaxy as they lie on the intersection of the many great hyperspace lanes. The Colonies include Commenor, [[Cato Neimoidia]], and Bilbringi, as well as numerous other worlds which have served as stage for the great [[Galactic Civil War]] in the fight between the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Empire]] and the [[Rebel Alliance]].

===Colonies===
The '''Colonies''' were some of the first planets settled outside the [[Core Worlds]] by the [[Galactic Republic (Star Wars)|Republic]], especially the region known as "''The Slice''", defined by the edges of the Perlemian Trade Route and the Corellian Run. There were also Worlds in the Colonies that were founding members of the Republic. After 25,000 years, the worlds are almost as influential as the Core, being just as industrialized and with firmly established cultures, with many worlds supporting vast shipyard complexes. Important manufacturing planets are Fondor, where the Super Star Destroyer ''[[Executor (Star Wars)|Executor]]'' was built, and Balmorra, a major [[TIE]] producer. [[Arkania]] is home to the Arkanians, a near Human species skilled at genetics and cybernetics. Mrlsst, home of the Mrlssi, is a famous university world also located in the Colonies.  Many of [[Kuat Drive Yards]]' factory worlds are located here, as are the [[Neimoidian]] purse worlds, Neimoidia, [[Cato Neimoidia]], Deku Neimoidia, and Koru Neimoidia.

During the [[Galactic Civil War]], the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Empire]] ruthlessly controlled the region. After the death of [[Palpatine|Emperor Palpatine]], most of the Region joined the [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]].

===Inner Rim===
The '''Inner Rim''' is the section of the galaxy between the Colonies and the Expansion Region. Some planets in this galactic ring include Rendili and Omar.   There is no reason given as to why the Inner Rim comes prior to the Expansion Region.

===Expansion Region===
The '''Expansion Region''' is precisely what it sounds like; it is territory colonized during a sudden expansion from the Inner Rim territories.  During most of the [[Galactic Republic|Old Republic]], it was considered a vast field of raw materials.  The [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Empire]] treated the Expansion Region as an area to obtain slaves, and [[stripmining|strip-mined]] the entire belt of worlds.  Mandalore, Nkllon, and Kalarba are planets located within this region.

===Mid Rim===
The Mid Rim is a galactic ring located between the Outer Rim and Inner Rim/Expansion Regions.  On the border of the division lies Nam Chorios and the Meridian Sector.  Other planets in the area include [[Naboo]], Ithor, and Ord Mantell.  Not long after the [[Battle of Endor]], most of it was seized by the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Imperial]] warlord [[Admiral Teradoc]].

===Outer Rim===
{{main|Outer Rim Territories}}
The '''Outer Rim Territories''' is the outermost part of the explored portion of the [[Star Wars galaxy|''Star Wars'' galaxy]]. During the long period of the [[Galactic Republic]], the Outer Rims were almost isolated, this is due to many unchartered regions and planets, untouched for countless centuries. Because of this isolation from other worlds, it became a breeding ground for criminals and scum. Seen in ''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]'', the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]]'s presence is made known in the area. Because of the Empire's corrupt type of government, many criminals still retained their criminal underworlds, such as the infamous [[Jabba the Hutt]].

===Wild Space===
'''Wild Space''' is on the frontier of the known galaxy, and is the blurred edge separating civilization from the [[Unknown Regions]]. Planets in this region lie so far from the galactic centers of power that they are virtually ignored. Very few people have ventured into Wild Space and into the Unknown Regions.  Technically speaking, Wild Space extends beyond the galaxy in some areas. [[Outbound Flight]], a Jedi project to explore realms beyond the known galaxy, crossed through Wild Space en route to the Unknown Regions.

===Unknown Regions===
The '''Unknown Regions''' lie beyond the region known as [[Wild Space]].  They are uncharted by any of the known galactic powers.

After the [[Mandalorian]] War [[Revan]] and [[Malak]] led a fifth of the Republic fleet, claiming to be searching for more Mandalorians, into this region. The fleet vanished for months and was presumed lost. Later the fleet returned with ships of alien design and started attacking the Republic. This lead to the start of the [[Jedi Civil War]]. After the Jedi Civil War, Darth Revan left into these unknown regions again and has not returned since. It is rumored he went to fight the true [[Sith]]. Little is known of where he went or when Revan will return, but many are waiting. The [[Jedi Exile]] went to the Unknown Regions 5 years later to help Revan with this task. The fate of the two Jedi remains unknown.

[[Csilla]], home to the [[Chiss]], is one of the only known inhabited planets in the Unknown Regions. The Chiss [[Grand Admiral]], [[Thrawn]], was tasked by [[Palpatine|Emperor Palpatine]] to lead a pacification mission into the Unknown Regions, a duty that Thrawn carried out until five years after the Emperor's death. Furthermore, the ancient insectoid [[Killik]] race inhabits this region of space; their territory borders Chiss space. Rakata Prime, the Rakatan homeworld, is also located in the Unknown Regions.

In the ''New Jedi Order'' book series, the living planet of [[Zonoma Sekot]] flees into the Unknown Regions after being attacked by the Empire. The Jedi find record of the planet's travels after extensive searching, and the Jedi Luke Skywalker leads a team of other Jedi to search for the world in the Unknown Regions; record shows it repelled the Yuuzhang Vong in the past and the Jedi now seek a new ally to help once again thwart the invading Yuuzhang Vong. They eventually are successful and persuade the living planet to attempt a hazardous return to known space.

{{StarWarsPlanets}}

==Sectors==
{{main|Sectors of Star Wars}}
As of the Emperor's New Order, a constellation of 50 or more [[planetary system]]s is defined as a ''Sector''. Sectors of Note include (followed by a notable system or planet):

*Kuat Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Kuat|Kuat]])
*Meridian Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Nam Chorios|Nam Chorios]])
*Chommell Sector ([[Naboo]])
*Kessel Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Kessel|Kessel]])
*Arkanis Sector ([[Tatooine]])
*Doldur Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Doldur|Doldur]])
*Sluis Sector ([[Dagobah]])
*Seswenna Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Eriadu|Eriadu]])
*Mayagil Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Clak'dor VII|Clak'dor VII]])
*Kathol Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Kal'Shabbol|Kal'Shabbol]])
*Moddell Sector ([[Forest Moon of Endor]])
*Abrion Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Rishi|Rishi]])
*Tapani Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Mrlsst|Mrlsst]])
*Farlax Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#J'p'tan|J'p'tan]])
*Quelli Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Dathomir|Dathomir]])
*Atrivis Sector ([[Planets of Star Wars#Generis|Generis]])

Also see [[Sectors of Star Wars]] and [[Systems of Star Wars]]

==Political areas==
Other minor political areas include:

'''Bothan Space''' &mdash; A region between the Mid Rim and Outer Rim, which is home to the Bothan race.  The capital of Bothan Space is Bothawui.  The Caamas incident, involving the genocide of the planet Caamas, took place in this region.

'''Hutt Space''' &mdash; A region in the [[Outer Rim Territories]], which is controlled by criminal gangsters known as the [[Hutts]]. It was subjugated by the [[Yuuzhan Vong]] during their invasion after the Hutts attempted to double cross them. The space is comprised of planets such as [[Nal Hutta]] and [[Ylesia]]. The Y'toub system is the location of both Nal Hutta, and the Smuggler's Moon, [[Nar Shaddaa]]. It is surrounded by the planets [[List_of_Star_Wars_planets (A-B)#Bimmisaari|Bimmisaari]], [[List_of_Star_Wars_planets (K-L)#Kubindi|Kubindi]], [[List_of_Star_Wars_planets (K-L)#Kessel|Kessel]], [[List_of_Star_Wars_planets (H-J)#Honoghr|Honoghr]], [[List_of_Star_Wars_planets (A-B)#Barabil|Barabi]] and [[List_of_Star_Wars_planets (E-G)#Gamorr|Gamorr]]. The [[Tion Cluster]] is the right and [[Bothan Space]] to the left.

'''[[Corporate Sector Authority]]''' &mdash; The government of a [[free enterprise]] [[fiefdom]] known as the '''Corporate Sector''' that was formed in 490 [[Dates in Star Wars|BBY]] to free the [[Galactic Republic|Republic]] lawmakers and the Corporate moneymakers from their differences. During the height of [[Palpatine|Emperor Palpatine]]'s rule of the galaxy, the Corporate Sector Authority comprised of 30,000 star systems. During the [[Yuuzhan Vong]] invasion, the Corporate Sector isolated itself from the Galaxy.

'''[[Tion Hegemony]]''' &mdash; Also known as the Ancient and Honorable Union of the Tion Hegemony, this sector of the Tion Cluster is a collection of 27 star systems. It is far from the Core Worlds, but embraces some of the oldest and most ancient human civilizations in the galaxy. As time went on, the Hegemony lost power, but the it remained the breadbasket of the Tion, providing foodstuffs for all three of the Tion's sectors.

'''Cronese Mandate''' &mdash; A small government within the galaxy.

'''[[Hapes Consortium]]''' &mdash; An female-dominated alliance of sixty-three worlds. It originated as a base for pirates and privateers, but soon turned into a high class society with elegent ship designs and sprawling cities. The chief of state is the [[Queen Mother]]. The Queen Mother is also head of the royal family. It is the task of the prince to find a wife who will give birth to the next Queen Mother. 

'''[[Ssi-Ruuk Star Cluster]]''' &mdash; Also known as the Ssi-ruuvi Imperium, this cluster of planets was inhabited by the technologically-advanced Ssi-Ruuk.  It is located beyond the Outer Rim.

'''[[The Centrality]]''' &mdash; An independent government in a large and remote region of space nestled between [[Hutt Space]] and the [[Cron Drift]].  It was a empty region lacking many stable [[hyperspace route]]s, with areas so devoid of systems that some travelers would run out of fuel before finishing their journeys even halfway.

'''[[Imperial Remnant]]''' &mdash; The remainder of the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]] that came about following the Bastion Accords that ended the [[Galactic Civil War]]. Its capital of Bastion, located deep in the Outer Rim.

{{StarWarsGovernments}}

==Other Areas==

'''Aramand Cluster''' &mdash; A collection of star systems located within [[Sectors of Star Wars#Brak|Brak Sector]].

'''Cairn''' &mdash; an asteroid located in the [[Outer Rim Territories]]. Kyle Katarn visits the asteroid in the game ''[[Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]''. A base of operations for the [[Imperial Remnant]], Cairn is later taken by the [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]].

'''Cowl Crucible''' &mdash;

'''Cron Drift''' &mdash; A small galactic region located near the Tion Cluster in the Outer Rim territories.

'''Dragonflower Nebula''' &mdash; A nebula near and around the [[Gamorrean]] colony world of Pzob in the [[Outer Rim Territories|Outer Rim]].  Site of the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Imperial]] battlemoon ''Eye of Palpatine'' until it undertook its mission to Belsavis eight years after the [[Battle of Endor]].

'''Koornacht Cluster''' &mdash; A cluster of dozens of planets located in the Deep Core, featuring J'p'tan among many others.

'''Lupalnia Satellite Moons''' &mdash; A collection of articial moons created by the Empire, located on the outer rim, to monitor the nearby planets.

'''[[The Maw]]''' &mdash; An unstable and almost completely unnavigable cluster of [[black holes]] located near the planet [[Planets of Star Wars#Kessel|Kessel]]. The Maw was the site of [[Grand Moff Tarkin]]'s [[Maw Installation]], which built the [[Death Star]] superweapon, among others.

'''Nyarikan Nebula''' &mdash;

'''Rishi Maze''' &mdash; A satellite galaxy located beyond the frontier of the main galactic disk

'''Tingel Arm''' &mdash; A region of the Corporate Sector that extends off of one of the galaxy's arms.

'''Tion Cluster''' &mdash; A cluster of planets located near the [[Cron Drift]] in the Outer Rim territories.  It is the home to Sienar Fleet 
Systems, as well as the planets Lianna, Dellalt, and Rhen Var.  It has a rich history with the Jedi Order, and was one of the choke points during the Clone Wars.

==Traffic==
Various established 'ways' pass through the sectors.
====Corellian Run====
The '''Corellian Run''' originates in the [[Corellia|Corellian System]] and ends somewhere in Wild Space.

====Corellian Trade Spine====
The '''Corellian Trade Spine''' begins at [[Corellia]], crosses the Rimma Trade Route at [[List of Star Wars planets#Yag'Dhul|Yag'Dhul]], and branches into the Ison Trade Corridor in the [[Outer Rim Territories|Outer Rim]].

====Hydian Way====
The '''Hydian Way''' begins at [[Corellia]], intersects the Perlemain Trade Route at [[List of Star Wars planets#Brentaal|Brentaal]], and snakes up the Tingel Arm to its termination in the [[Corporate Sector]].

====Ison Corridor====
The '''Ison Trade Corridor''' is a lightly populated minor trade route in the [[Outer Rim Territories|Outer Rim]] of the [[Star Wars galaxy]].  It branches off from the Corellian Trade Spine and passes through such backwater planets as [[List of Star Wars planets#Varonat|Varonat]], [[Bespin]], [[Hoth]], and [[List of Star Wars planets#Ison|Ison]] before meeting back up with the trade spine.

====Perlemian Trade Route====
The '''Perlemian Trade Route''' is a major hyperspace corridor. Beginning at [[Coruscant]], it crosses the Hydian Way at [[List of Star Wars planets#Brentaal|Brentaal]] and ends in the [[Outer Rim Territories|Outer Rim]] in between the [[Corporate Sector]] and the [[Tion Cluster]].

====Rimma Trade Route====
The '''Rimma Trade Route''' was initially established by [[Sectors of Star Wars#Tapani|Tapani Sector]] merchants around 5,500 [[BBY]].  It begins in the Core worlds near [[Planets of Star Wars#Fondor|Fondor]], intersects the Corellian Trade Spine at [[Planets of Star Wars#Yag'Dhul|Yag'Dhul]], and travels through [[Sullust]] and [[Planets of Star Wars#Sluis Van|Sluis Van]] before its end, in the Kathol Sector.

====Kessel Run====
The '''Kessel Run''' is a pathway from planet [[List of Star Wars planets (K-L)#Kessel|Kessel]] in the [[Star Wars]] galaxy used frequently by smugglers in the transport of precious [[Glitterstim spice]].

A well-known but confusing description of the Kessel Run is made by [[Han Solo]] in ''[[A New Hope]]'' when he boasts to have made the run with the [[Millennium Falcon]] in "less than twelve [[parsec]]s."  A parsec is a unit of distance, not a measure of time or speed.  Some have explained this apparent error by postulating the presence of a [[black hole]] cluster ([[The Maw]]) close to Kessel, which is used by pilots to shorten the distance of the run. 

According to [[Expanded Universe (Star Wars)|Expanded Universe]] literature, navigating the Maw black hole cluster is extremely hazardous. Ships making runs must take long complex courses to avoid the dangerous [[singularities]] and gravity distortions of the cluster. However, it is speculated that Solo brazenly shaved by the gravity wells, thus achieving a run under a distance of 12 parsecs where a safer route would be much longer. This shorter run, by necessity, would require a faster ship than more circuitious routes, since a slower ship would not be able to resist the gravitational pull of the closer black-holes.

The question of whether Solo was boasting about the speed of his ship, or his skillful abilities at piloting is still debated amongst fans. One could also look at the wording of the quote and consider Solo may have been mentioning another aspect of the Falcon's fame that is unrelated to its speed - that she earned prestige for surviving a dangerous short-distanced Kessel Run, as well as being "fast".

A more straightforward explanation is that [[George Lucas]], in writing the script, simply did not remember or realize that parsecs are not time measurements.  According to some sources, Lucas did realize this, but wished to portray Han Solo as an absent-minded braggart who simply did not know what he was talking about.  The bemused reactions of [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] and [[Luke Skywalker]] to Han's quip suggest that this could be the case.

====Sisar Run====
The '''Sisar Run''' is a minor trade route.

==See also==
* [[List of Star Wars cities]]
* [[List of Star Wars moons]]
* [[List of Star Wars planets]]
* [[List of Star Wars races]]
* [[List of Star Wars systems]]
* [[Sectors of Star Wars]]

==References==
*‘Star Wars Episode I: Incredible Locations’
*‘Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina’
*“Star Wars: Shield of Lies.”

==External links==
*[http://www.lowlight.com/swmap/ Galaxy navigator]
*[http://www.nav-computer.com Galaxy navigator and maps]
*[http://starwars.wikicities.com/wiki/The_Galaxy Star Wars Wiki | The Galaxy]

[[Category: Star Wars lists|Galaxy]]
[[Category: Star Wars location lists|*]]
[[Category: Star Wars locations]]