Alderaan
NB: the fictional planet Alderaan it is more known than the real-life usage of this name (see Alderaan (real)).
Missing image Alderaan.jpg Alderaan | |
| Alderaan | |
|---|---|
| Distance from Core | < 5000 light years |
| Region | Core Worlds |
| System | Alderaan |
| Number of Suns | 1 |
| Number of Moons | 0 |
| Major Species | Humans |
| Population | 2 billion |
| Official Language | Basic (Star Wars) |
| Primary Terrain | Mountains, Seas |
| Surface Water | Unknown (planet is mostly water) |
| Points of Interest | Aldera, Crevasse City, Castle Lands |
| Affiliation | Galactic Republic, Rebel Alliance |
In the fictional Star Wars universe, Alderaan is the home of Princess Leia, Bail Organa and also, in 4000 BBY, Ulic Qel Droma who fought in the Great Sith War. Its name may have been taken from the real star name Aldebaran; or it may have come from the disused real star name Alderaan.
There are three contradictory descriptions or depictions of Alderaan:-
- In the established Expanded Universe descriptions:-
- Considered a "Shining Star" of the Core Worlds, wild grasslands and old mountain ranges dominated the planet's surface. Ice-rimmed polar seas were the only large bodies of water, though thousands of freshwater and saltwater lakes provided habitats for a large variety of flora and fauna. Alderaan was also the homeworld of some of the galaxy's most famous animals, such as the nerf and the thranta. Cities of Alderaan were often built with great care taken to protect nature. One city was built on the walls of a canyon, nearly invisible from above. Other cities were built on stilts along the shoreline or under the polar ice. The capital, Aldera, known for its university, was built on a small island in the center of a caldera.
- In Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith:-
- The terrain of Alderaan appears to be mountainous and the planet surface bears no resemblance to established Expanded Universe descriptions; however, only a small fraction of the planet is actually seen.
- In Episode IV: A New Hope:-
- Alderaan is a mountainous planet covered almost entirely in water
The Alderaanii people highly valued education, arts, architecture, poetry, the performing arts, and peaceful resolutions to conflicts. They placed high value in their participation in the Galactic (and then) the Imperial Senate.
Though largely a democratic society, Alderaan was headed by a hereditary constitutional monarchy, with the Royal House of Organa presiding over the High Court and legislative High Council of Alderaan. Its monarchs have variously borne the titles "Prince", "First Chairman", and "Viceroy". Traditionally, the heir of the Alderaan throne also serves in the legislative High Council of Alderaan and a term as Senator of Alderaan. Bail Organa was the leader of Alderaan and was on the planet when it was destroyed, while his heir and (secretly adopted) daughter Princess Leia served as Senator of Alderaan in the Imperial Senate.
After the horrors of the Clone Wars, Alderaan's massive war machine was dismantled and the weapons were placed aboard an armoury warship called Another Chance. The ship was programmed to continually jump though hyperspace until called home by the Alderaanian Council.
Alderaan was destroyed by the Death Star in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope at Grand Moff Tarkin's order as a demonstration of its power to Princess Leia. Approximately 60,000 natives survived because they were offworld, and many of them relocated to the planet of New Alderaan, hoping to recreate the beauty that had been Alderaan.
Survivors of Alderaan and their descendants practiced a ritual of "returning" to the Alderaan system. Returners would fill memorial capsules with gifts for departed relatives and friends and jettison them into the asteroid field (known as the Graveyard), which was all that remained of the planet after its destruction.
With Alderaan destroyed, Princess Leia led her people to New Alderaan, which was founded after the Galactic Civil War died down somewhat. The Royal House of Alderaan, in the person of Leia Organa-Solo and her children, countinue to hold sovereignty of both New Alderaan and the Alderaan system. The government on New Alderaan administers both systems.
Known senators of Alderaan
- Senator Bail Antilles (? BBY - 32 BBY)
- Senator Bail Organa (32 BBY - 1 BBY)
- Senator Leia Organa (1 BBY - 0 BBY)
References
- A Guide to the Star Wars Universe 3rd Edition, by Bill Slavicsek, Del Rey Books