Physiology and Appearance

The United Federation of Planets, or UFP, is an interstellar union compased of planetary governmentes and colonies. The various members of the Federation are organized under unifying goals of universal liberty, equality, peaceful coexistence, trade, science, exploration, and mutual defence. Its territory encompasses several dozen sectors in both the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, spread across nearly 8,000 light years of space. As of 2268, there were at least 30 members in the Federation, which expanded to more than 150 members and over 1,000 semi-autonomous colonies by 2372. Many of the Federation member worlds were originally human colonies, which is the reason humans make up the majorite of Starfleet membership. Like the Federation itself, the population of the Federation is from many different worlds and many different races.

Homeworld

Because the Federation is a union of diverse planets and peoples, it does not have a "homeworld." Earth in the Sol System is the capitol world, and is the closest thing to a homeworld since it is where the Federation was founded. Earth, which is sometimes referred to as Terra, is the third planet orbiting a type G2V star named Sol in Sector 001. Several important installations are located in this star system -- the Utopia Planitia shipyards, Starfleet Command, Jupitor Station, Spacedock, and Pluto Flight Control.

One of the most technologically advanced planets in the Federation, Earth produces forty-three percent of the vessels and weapons systems used throughout the Federation, with construction planets in fourteen planetary systems; Leeding Engines Ltd, an Earth-based manufacturer, has become the Federation's leading producers of warp drive systems technology

Earth's moderate climate and diverse terrain make it a favorite shore-leave world. The Federation's fifth largest city, Lunaport, is found on Earth's only natural satellite, Luna, and is extensively populated with citizens from across the Federation.

History

The Federation was founded in 2161 in San Francisco on Earth, shortly after and partially as a result of the end of the Earth-Romulan War. The seeds of the Federation sprouted during a temporary alliance in 2154 during the search for a Romulan drone-ship. That is when Vulcans, humans, Andorians, and Tellarites first united for a common cause. This led to the founding of the Coalition of Planets a year later, where Andor, Coridan, Denobula, Earth, Rigel V, Tellar, Vulcan and several other worlds united in a common economic union. The Coalition continued toward unity over the next several years, and this led to the formation of the Federation.

Althought the Federation's intentions were peaceful, its policies of expansion almost inevitably brought it into conflict with other races in the region. In the 23rd century, the most notable conflict was with the Klingon Empire, and a war briefly erupted in 2266. before being hlated by the Organians. However, this tension eased toward the end of the century, with the Khitomer Conference of 2293 being a substantial turning point. As the 24th century opened, the Federation began an unprecedented period of peaceful exploration of the galaxy without any major conflicts along its borders.

A series of local conflicts flared in the late 2340s, with the Federation encountering races such as the Cardassians, the Talarians, the Sheliak, the Tholians, and other minor regional powers like the Tzenkethi. These conflicts were short-lived, in no small part due to the power exerted by Starfleet at this time.

But the darkest period in Federation history was soon to arrive. First contact with the Borg Collective led to a series of attacks on Federation outposts. The Battle of Wolf 359 saw Starfleet dealt a crippling blow, taking many years to even partially recover. The Federation soon learned that the enemies they had dealt with in the past were nothing compared to the powerful forces found elsewhere in the galaxy.

In the 2370s, contact was made with the Dominion, the ruling power of the Gamma Quadrant. After nuerous skirmishes, the Dominion allied itself with the Cardassian Union, and launched an invasion of the Alpha Quadrant. The war that followed was the greatest crisis in Federation history. Although the Allied forces eventually emerged victorious, many of the Federation's important member worlds - including Benzar, Betazed, and Coridan - had been temporarily occupied before the Dominion's offensive could be turned back. Thousands of starships and millions of lives were lost, in what was the most bloody conflict in recent history.

However, the war and its aftermath allowed the Federation to establish new relations with many of its former adversaries. In particular, relations with the Romulan Star Empire improved dramatically, marking the beginings of detente with a traditional enemy of the Federation.

Economy

The Federation has a massive economy, built around large scale, inexpensive production of almost all consumer goods. No money is used for all basic expenses, such as food, clothing, and shelter. The basic unit of exchange is the Federation credit. The introduction of replicators in the early- to mid-24th century drastically changed the orientation of the economy, as matter-energy conversion reduced the cost of most small- to medium-scale objects to practically nothing. Large-scale construction is efficiently handled, as well.

The driving force of Federation society is no longer the acquisition of wealth, but rather the benefit of all. perhaps ironically, entrepreneurship is encouraged, althought the primary goal of most ventures is no longer turning a profit. They are intended for personal enjoyment and improvement.

The various systems of the Federation are generally rich in natural resources, although their intrinsic worth has changed as replicators reduced the need for most refined and semi-refined minerals. Currently, one of the most valuable minerals is dilithium, which is critical in regulating the matter-antimatter reactions in the Federation's power generators.

Government

The government of the Federation is organized as a federal republic, where the member planets and colonies form semi-autonomous districs. Central authority in the Federation is delegated to the three branches of the Federation's government: the Federation Council, the legistlative branch; the Federation President, the executive and head of state; and the Federation Supreme Court, the supreme judicial authority. The Council meets in San Francisco while the President's offices are located in Paris.

The Federation has a specific process for accepting the application of new members. Most importantly, a species must have developed warp drive on their own. Additionally, a potential member must be a unified planetary governement. The provess of going from a candidate to full membership by acceding to the Federation Charter takes approximately five years. At the end of the process, the new member world becomes a fully equal partner in the interstellar alliance.

Starfleet

Starfleet is the exploratory and miliary arm of the United Federation of Planets. it was founded in 2161 by combining the Earth Starfleet, Andorian Imperial Guard, and the Vulcan and Tellarite forces. Starfleet Command and Starfleet Academy are located in San Francisco on Earth. Starfleet operates under the Federation Council and is bound by the Prime Directive. It consists of at least ten fleets.