Coruscant

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Coruscant

Coruscant (pronounced /'kɔɹəsɑnt/), also known asJewel of the Core Worlds, orImperial Center during therule of theGalactic Empire, was anecumenopolis—acity-coveredplanet, collectively known asImperial City— in theCoruscant system of theCore Worlds. Coruscant was ancienthomeworld of theTaung andZhellspecies. Though debated byhistorians, the theory that Coruscant was the ancestral world ofhumans remained unproven. Noted for its cosmopolitan culture and toweringskyscrapers, Coruscant's population consisted of trillions ofcitizens hailing from a vast array of bothhumanoid andalien species. In addition, Coruscant's strategic location at the end of several majortrade routes enabled it to grow in power and influence, causing the city-planet to surpass its early rivals and become the hub ofgalactic culture, education, finance, fine arts,politics and technology. It was the location of several major landmarks, including theJedi Temple,Monument Plaza, and theSenate Building.

Serving as thecapital ofthe galaxy since the ancientdays of the oldGalactic Republic, Coruscant was at the center of manyhistoric events, such as theJedi Order'sconflict with theSith. Although the planetfell under Sith control for atime, Republic forces ultimatelyliberated Coruscant with the aid of theJedi Knights. Their victory was so decisive that at one point the Sith became all but extinct, replacing anage of darkness and strife with thedemocratic rule of the modern Galactic Republic. Retaining its status as galactic capital, it was on Coruscant where theGalactic Senate governed the galaxy forcenturies, establishing anera ofpeace that lasted for almost amillennium under the protection of theJedipeacekeepers. However, political intrigue wrought by corruption andsecession transformed Coruscant into a dangerous environment by the time of theClone Wars with theConfederacy of Independent Systems. On theeve of theNew Order, fulfilling agrand scheme,Supreme ChancellorSheev Palpatine, who was, in fact, theSith LordDarth Sidious, declared the Jedienemies of the state, resulting in agalaxy-wide purge that all but destroyed the Jedi Order. Without the Jedi to oppose him, Palpatine dissolved the Republic anddeclared himselfGalactic Emperor to the applause of the nowImperial Senate.

Coruscant continued to serve as galactic capital under the Empire, having become the Emperor'sthroneworld, although Palpatine himself disappeared from public view for the most part, leaving theday-to-day governing to hisadvisors in theImperial Ruling Council. The Empire maintained a firm hold on Coruscant throughout the Emperor'sreign, but with his defeat at theBattle of Endor in4 ABY by theAlliance to Restore the Republic, citizens of Coruscantcelebrated byrevolting. Unable to command themilitary's allegiance as the rebelsrestored the Republic,Grand VizierMas Amedda's rule was limited to Coruscant.Fleet AdmiralGallius Rax, the self-proclaimedCounselor to the Empire, in short order. Hoping to escape prosecution for war crimes, Amedda surrendered himself to theNew Republic, which demanded that he surrender the entire Empire in return for amnesty. Following Rax's death at theBattle of Jakku in5 ABY, Amedda signed theGalactic Concordance—a peace treaty recognizing the Empire'scapitulation and the end of theGalactic Civil War. Amedda himself was permitted to return to Coruscant as the head of aprovisional government. Yet his authority was merely ceremonial; under the supervision of Republic overseers, he became a virtually powerless figurehead.

Unlike previous galactic governments, theNew Republic broke with millennia of tradition by not establishing Coruscant as their headquarters, instead preferring to designate other member worlds with the status of galactic capital through an electoral system. During theNew Republic Era, Coruscant had become the capital of the New Republic as it was designed to handle and administer the galaxy's infrastructure. As part of theNew Republic Senate, Coruscant enjoyed full senatorial representation and, by the time of theCold War, was aligned with the worlds that identified asCentrists. However, by this point, Coruscant had actually fallen under the control of crime syndicates. Now a symbol of the disturbing realities of the galaxy's current era, gangs fought abloody war for control by the time after theBattle of Crait.

During theFirst Order-Resistance War, at least two sizeable battlegroup were deployed by theFirst Order to Coruscant in the apparent hope of seizing it and ruling the galaxy from the ecumenopolis as the Galactic Empire once did, however these efforts were defeated. In the aftermath of theBattle of Exegol, various worlds sought to drive theFirst Order military from their soil. Coruscant was one such world where anuprising took place as part of agalaxy-wide effort to overthrow the First Order.

Description[]

Overview[]

Located in theCoruscant subsector of theCorusca sector within theCore Worlds region, Coruscant was aplanet covered in a denseecumenopolis.^[1] The diameter of Coruscant was 12,240kilometers; itorbited a smallstar,^[5] known asCoruscant Prime,^[4] in theCoruscant system.^[3] The distance between Coruscant and its star varied from 207 to 251 million kilometers, and as such, the planet did not have a climate that suited any one particular species. However, this was rectified by technology and the vast heat generated by the multi-levelcityscape.^[5]

Coruscant had fourmoons^[5]—Centax-1,^[6]Centax-2,^[7]Centax-3,^[8] andHesperidium.^[7] Fromspace, Coruscant's luminosity was slightly dimmed by the planet's hazy cloud cover. The planet's weather patterns were affected by the troposphere-piercing buildings that covered the planet's surface. Inside the tallest buildings, enormous differences oftemperature andair pressure from top to bottom produced unusual and unpredictable microclimates.^[5] As such, Coruscant had its ownweather-control system.^[41] While this artificial climate was largely temperate in nature, parts of the planet occasionally experienced infrequent snowfalls.^[45]

Thousands of years of development destroyed the planet's ancientmountains andseas.^[5]Monument Plaza housed the top of Coruscant's last remaining mountain peak,^[10] that being the peak of theUmate. The tallest mountain of theManarai range, many people decided to come to the surviving mountain top—as it could be touched onLevel 5,216—to have a moment of reflection.^[28]

By around232 BBY,^[46] a dark ring surrounded the peak's base as a result of the countless hands that had touched the rock. Generations of city planners decided to keep the mountain peak. During theHigh Republic Era, the surface around the peak was covered in greenery in an attempt to recreate thetrees and otherplants that would have been around the Umate's base many millennia earlier. Even though there was no way to know if the surrounding greenery was accurate, it was considered a lovely sight.^[28]

Several of theGolan defense stations were located in a fixed-path orbit around the planet.^[25] During theImperial Era, dozens of theGolan-II Defense Platforms andGolan III defense platforms were in orbit of Coruscant and other important Imperial Core Worlds for defense.^[47]

Smallreptiles used ascues in a roulette game played on Coruscant evolved through mutations they experienced in the planet's gutters. Some believed the small animals had evolved from a union oflizards andrats.^[48] There were 24hours in a Coruscantday, and 365 days in a Coruscantyear.^[10] Owing to its importance ingalactic history,the galaxy used a dating system standardized on Coruscant,^[49] and the planet'sgalactic coordinates were 0-0-0 despite it not being the exact geographical center of the galaxy.^[5]

Imperial City[]

Main article:Imperial City

Coruscant's surface was defined by its urban sprawl, which collectively was calledGalactic City^[1] until it was officially renamed as Imperial City during theImperial Era.^[50] The dense city blocks were built on top of each other, with the lowest beingLevel 1 and the highest reaching toLevel 5127.^[5] The lowest known habitable level wasLevel 5.^[51] At its highest level, Galactic City'sskyscrapers were built with many reaching 6,000meters into the atmosphere, with sleek,transparisteel edifices standing next to olderduracrete structures.^[10] As a hustling, bustling planet-wide city with an underworld full of dark alleys and an abundance of people, Coruscant provided the ideal conditions for athief to prosper, especially targeting tourists from quieter planets.^[52]

Galactic City was divided into sectors named by designated coordinates. Some sectors also had unofficial names; for example,sector H-46 was the nicknamed of "Sah'c Town" due to theSah'c family's ownership of much of the sector. Sectors were further divided into zones, with zones determined by purpose, such as financial, senatorial, or industrial zones.^[5]

Under theGalactic Republic, theFederal District, also called the Senate District, was the center ofpolitical activity on the planet, as it was home to both theSenate Building, seat of theGalactic Senate, and theSenate Office Building, where theSupreme Chancellor hadhis or her own set ofoffices. It served as the main district for government buildings and institutions including theCity Municipal Authorities Building and theGalactic Courts of Justice. The Federal District was also the location of theJedi Temple, headquarters ofJedi Order, as well as500 Republica, a massive residential tower home to the most powerful on Coruscant.^[5]

Under the rule of theGalactic Empire, the Federal District was transformed and heavily fortified, and theJediTemple was repurposed as the Imperial Palace. The palace became a part of the "supreme triangle" of structures alongside theImperial Inspectorate HQ and the massiveCOMPNOR arcology,^[41] which housed the city-block-sizedISB Central Office of theImperial Security Bureau.^[10] Next to the Federal District was theVerity District, which under the Empire housed theHall of Adjudication, theHall of Imperial Register, theInstitute to Preserve Imperial History, and theISB Academy and Offices.^[30]

The planet'sskylanes directed the air-traffic ofairspeeders via auto-navigation system that moved the speeders along preprogrammed routes. As such crashes were extremely rare.^[10] Precautions were taken though with and skytunnels incorporating bombproof shields and high-level tracking systems, and most structures on Coruscant had defensive shields to protect windows from stray and out-of-control vehicles.^[5]

Owing to the planet's prominence in terms of galactic affairs, Galactic City housed numerous governmental offices and inter-galactic headquarters in its winding depths. The central planning strategy offices of the food giantTagge Corporation could be found within the city, along with the droid research institutes funded byCybot Galactica, and theBank of the Core, one of the galaxy's largest financial institutions. The towers were symbols of power and authority, and the largest could hold populations of well over a million.^[5]

The planet's residents were known as theCoruscanti^[41] and of the estimated trillions inhabitants of the planet, 68% were believed to behuman.^[10][39] On Coruscant, wealth increased with altitude. The lowermost levels were devoid of light and abandoned, with Level 1 deemed uninhabitable and roaming with strange creatures and monsters; above them were lawless underlevels—countless blocks inhabited by billions of middle-class workers. The super-towers on Level 5217 remained home to the ultra-wealthy.^[5] Furthering this class divide, citizens who lived in the upper levels were able to breathe air that was filtered and clean, while lower-class inhabitants were forced to breathe the air of toxic fumes fromfactory and vehicular waste.^[10] As such, most visitors to Coruscant chose to bring their own air supply to last the length of their stay.^[5]

History[]

Early history[]

In ancient times, Coruscant was populated by twosentientspecies, theTaung and theZhell.^[6] Sometime in its distant past, Coruscant was home to a conflict between civilizations that fought for control of the planet. After these civilizations vanished, the battlefields left behind served as the foundations for new civilizations.^[5] Though its connection to the human species was unconfirmed, Coruscant was widely accepted as the humanhomeworld.^[53] Nevertheless, the humanAxel Greylark claimed that, at least to his knowledge, the people of Coruscant did not have grand creation myths.^[48] In time, humans expanded throughout the known galaxy, exploring and colonizing vast regions of space, with Coruscant becoming the galactic center of political and cultural life.^[5] In100,000 BBY,^[7] the lowest levels of Coruscant,^[48] such asLevel 1, were once called home by the people of Coruscant. As the planet expanded up, however,^[51] the buildings turned to ancient ruins that were buried. It was believed those low levels were left uninhabitable.^[48]

Many different political systems held control over Coruscant during its existence, with these systems ranging from brutal empires anddictatorships todemocracies.^[28] Coruscant was one of the Galactic Republic's original Core World founders, and outmaneuvered its early rivals to become the economic and cultural engine of civilization as it expanded along newly charteredhyperspace routes. As these early hyperspace lanes became well-established trade routes, increasing numbers ofalien species migrated towards Coruscant;^[5] this would accelerate the construction of new residential levels and sectors for the city-world's booming population even as the growth of its rivals slowed.^[54] Coruscant's effective status as the center of the Republic led to it being awarded the coordinates 0-0-0 on all standard navigationcharts.^[5] As the centuries passed, the Galactic City expanded and 5,000years before theGalactic Civil War, it almost covered the entire surface of the planet.^[25]

The ancientSith Lords built ashrine on Coruscant. When theJedi Knights ousted them, they built their temple over it.^[41] During theJedi-Sith War, theSithcaptured Coruscant, but it was later reclaimed by the Republic^[55] in theLiberation of Coruscant.^[56]Victory over the Sith atRuusan^[57] led to the birth of the modern Galactic Republic^[55] with Coruscant as its capital.^[17] Beings from across the galaxy emigrated to Coruscant seeking opportunities on the bustling planet. However, many newcomers were ultimately relegated to low-level positions and subjected to a life of crime and violence. Nonetheless, it was largely accepted that whoever controlled Coruscant controlled the galaxy.^[5]

The Galactic Republic[]

Main article:Republic Era

High Republic Era[]

Main article:High Republic Era

Over the millennia representatives gathered in the Galactic Senate for diplomacy and dispute resolutions, creating and enforcing laws, and maintaining peace. As such, Coruscant became known as the galactic capital for thousands of years.^[13] Around382 BBY,^[58] aToydarian became inebriated and was arrested for disturbing the peace onLevel 1392, resulting in their imprisonment onLevel 2623. Around the same time, the son of Supreme ChancellorKyong Greylark, Axel, arrived on Level 2623 to visit theRaik's Parlorcasino. However, after starting a fight in the gambling den, he was arrested by members of theCoruscant Guard, who revealed they had been sent by his mother.^[48] Whencult guideMarda Ro reformed the already-radicalizedPath of the Open Hand into the militantPath of the Closed Fist to war against the Jedi and other Force-sensitives, she had dreams of spreading their insurgency as far as Coruscant itself, urging the Path to follow her across the stars. While the Path quickly fell under Ro's sway,^[59] the ensuingBattle of Dalna marked the destruction of the cult,^[60] although Ro herself escaped and began a new plan^[59] that culminated in the creation of theNihil marauders.^[61]

The end of peace[]

It was towards the end of theRepublic Era that the SithLordDarth Sidious executed his plans for galactic domination, beginning with theblockade ofNaboo, his homeworld that he represented asSenator Sheev Palpatine.^[62] The Sith Order, having survived its near destruction throughDarth Bane'sRule of Two, conspired for generations to reclaim their place of dominance in the galaxy.^[63] By Sidious' time, the Sith secretly resided on Coruscant in spite of the Jedi Order's presence on the capital. The Jedi at the time were under the belief that their ancient rivals had been extinct for over a millennium.^[16]

Under the influence of the Sith, theTrade Federationblockaded and occupied the planetNaboo in32 BBY,^[3] forcing itselected ruler,QueenPadmé Amidala, to flee to Coruscant seeking Senator Palpatine's counsel. Among the queen's retinue wasAnakin Skywalker; a formerslave fromTatooine, Skywalker was brought to the Jedi Temple byJedi MasterQui-Gon Jinn, who believed him to be theChosen One destined to bring balance tothe Force. In the Senate, Supreme ChancellorFinis Valorum was unable to respond to theInvasion of Naboo. Amidala, having learned from Palpatine about the corruption in the Republic government, called for stronger leadership by denouncing Valorum as a head of state. Consequently, Valorum wasvoted out of office and Palpatine waselected as the new Supreme Chancellor.^[16] During the early years of Palpatine's chancellery, he brought Skywalker to the lower levels of Coruscant, revealing corruption and the Republic's limitations to the youngJedi apprentice.^[64]

A capital at war[]

Main article:Clone Wars

TheClone Wars began with theFirst Battle of Geonosis in22 BBY,^[3] when theSeparatist Crisis that began with the establishment of theConfederacy of Independent Systems escalated into open war between the Republic and the Separatists. In the same year, Amidala became the target of anassassination plot while she was on Coruscant opposing theMilitary Creation Act. The former queen-turned-senator was saved from thebounty huntersZam Wesell andJango Fett through the efforts of Kenobi and Skywalker. While Skywalker escorted Amidala to Naboo for her protection, Kenobitracked Fett to theextragalactic world of Kamino where he discovered that anarmy of elitesoldiers had beenbred from Fett'sgenetic template. Kenobi followed Fett toGeonosis and learned that several commercial organizations pledged their resources toCountDooku and theSeparatist Droid Army.^[2]

Having learned of the Separatists' plan to attack the Republic, theLoyalist Committee gave serious consideration to using theKaminoanclone troopers as the basis for theRepublic Military. Though the Jedi Order had long stood as the Senate's instrument of peace in the galaxy, the limited number of Jedi Knights prevented them from fighting a galactic-scale conflict on their own.Junior RepresentativeJar Jar Binks, acting on behalf of Naboo in Amidala's absence, proposed a motion to grantemergency powers to the Supreme Chancellor. The Senate voted in favor of theGungan politician's request, allowing Chancellor Palpatine to unilaterally create theGrand Army of the Republic.^[2]

The Clone Wars became one of the most turbulent times in galactic history^[17] and the first, full scale war in over a thousand years.^[2] As the capital of the Republic, Coruscant, already a hotbed of political intrigue, became a target for both military and political reasons. Situations and events that were unthinkable centuries before became commonplace.^[17] Even prior to the beginning of the war, changes could be seen in the Republic. The Senate, already corrupt and bloated found it difficult to respond, delegating emergency powers to Palpatine. The chancellor himself brought changes such as implementing the use of his personalRed Guards instead of theSenate Guards.^[2] During the Clone Wars, theCoruscant Guard was formed to serve as a clonesecurity force for the Republic capital.^[66] Composed of eliteclone shock troopers, the Coruscant Guard was led byClone CommanderFox.^[53]

As the Grand Army and theRepublic Navy spread across the galaxy to defend the Republic, the Jedi, long taking the stand of being peacekeepers instead of soldiers, led the clonetroopers ascommanders andgenerals. The dramatic changes were noted by the Jedi and the Republic citizens alike,^[67] specifically on Coruscant.^[68] Unknown to everyone except a select few, Coruscant was from where the entire war was continually manipulated by Palpatine. As Supreme Chancellor, he took overall charge of the Republic military and directed the war effort from his office in the Senate Office Building.^[69] AsDarth Sidious he directed Dooku's actions designed to continue the war and further his plans.^[70]

During the Clone Wars, Chancellor Palpatine had theZillo Beast fromMalastare transported to Coruscant for scientific research, overruling the objections of his Jedi advisorMace Windu. Palpatine ordered the Zillo Beast's destruction, but the creature broke out of theRepublic Science and Technical Center and proceeded on arampage across Coruscant's Senate district. The clone forces on Coruscant converged on the Zillo Beast, usingpoison gas to kill it while the Jedi protected the chancellor.^[27] TheSenate hostage crisis was carried out by bounty hunterCad Bane^[71] as part of aHutt Clan plot to freeZiro Desilijic Tiure.^[72][73] While clone troopers had already started to see open use on Coruscant at that point,^[74] the failure of Senate Guards during the incident became a justification^[75] for the continued^[74] use of clones on the capital itself. In fact, clones came to replaceSenate Commandos as Coruscant-based additional security and fast-action response military forces.^[75]

TheConfederate–Republic peace initiative was disrupted by thebombing of Coruscant'scentral power distribution grid by planetside Separatist agents. Consequently, the Senate voted toderegulate the banking industry, allowing the Republic to take on additional loans for the purpose of purchasing more clones for its army. Unbeknown to the Senate, the attack was supported by SenatorsNix Card andLott Dod, whose respective organizations, theInterGalactic Banking Clan and the Trade Federation, profited from the Clone Wars.^[65]

Public opinion towards the end of the war, as represented by the citizens of Coruscant, began to turn against the Jedi. Protesters would gather in front of the Temple, blaming the Jedi for the military losses and the Jedi's loss of perspective as keepers of the peace. It was at that time that anexplosion occurred at the Jedi Temple docking complex that killed six Jedi and several clone troopers and Temple employees. The investigation bycrime scene analysis droidRusso-ISC and Jedi Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano found thatLetta Turmond, thewife of Temple employeeJackar Bowmani, had fed him volatilenano-droids which then exploded, killing Bowmani and causing the bombing at the Temple. Turmond was arrested and held at the Republic Center for Military Operations.^[68]

Tano was subsequently framed for the death of Turmond, who waskilled by way of the Force.^[36] Sheescaped to the lower levels of Coruscant, becoming a hunted fugitive while seeking to prove her innocence.^[76] After the militaryrecaptured Tano, the former Jedi was put ontrial fortreason against the Galactic Republic. However, the charges against her were dropped when the rogue JediBarriss Offee confessed to the crimes that Tano had been accused of.^[77] Though she remained on Coruscant,^[78] Tano left the Jedi Temple after deciding to not rejoin the Jedi Order.^[77]

Showdown on Coruscant[]

Throughout the Clone Wars, Palpatine had remained a popular leader, remaining in office at the will of the Senate for far longer than his term technically allowed.^[79] During this period, Palpatine continued to consolidate and centralize his own power.^[65][80][81] By19 BBY, the third and final year of the war,^[3] Coruscant's defenses were spread thin. The Separatists had been pushed back to theOuter Rim Territories, and could not risk a direct strike at the heart of the Republic. Coruscanti citizens, used to having the war fought far from the capitol, were just as surprised as theCoruscant Home Defense Fleet when a Separatist assault force launched a surprise attack on the planet.^[82] During theBattle of Coruscant, Chancellor Palpatine was captured and taken to the Separatistflagship, theInvisible Hand, where he was rescued by the Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker andObi-Wan Kenobi.^[79]

After the death of Count Dooku, the Jedi on Coruscant focused their efforts on locating GeneralGrievous, theSupreme Martial Commander of the Separatist Droid Armies. Despite the Republic's success in theOuter Rim Sieges, relations were strained between theJedi High Council and the Supreme Chancellor. Suspicious of the chancellor's motives, the HighCouncil tasked Skywalker withspying on Palpatine after he had made the young Jedi Knight theOffice of the Chancellor's representative on the Council. During the final days of the Clone Wars,Grand MasterYoda and the41st Scout Battalion departed from Coruscant todefend theWookiee homeworld ofKashyyyk. Shortly afterward, the High Council dispatched Kenobi and his212th Attack Battalion toUtapau, the planet where Grievous had been located byClone Intelligence.^[79]

With the Clone Wars nearing its conclusion, Chancellor Palpatine revealed his secret identity as theDark Lord of the Sith to Skywalker. Acting on Skywalker's report, Jedi Masters Mace Windu,Kit Fisto,Saesee Tiin, andAgen Kolar tried toarrest Sidious. The ensuinglightsaber duel resulted in the deaths of Kolar, Tiin, and Fisto; although Sidious was disarmed by Windu, he succeeded in killing the Jedi Order's champion due to the interference of Skywalker, who believed the chancellor's claims of possessing the power to save others from death. As a consequence, Skywalker renounced the Jedi and assumed the mantle of a Sith as Darth Vader.^[79]

The Galactic Empire[]

The end of the Republic[]

Main article:Proclamation of the New Order

As part of his endgame, Sidious issuedOrder 66 to the entire Grand Army of the Republic,^[79] using hiddeninhibitor chips^[83] to force the clone troopers into killing theirJedi Generals.^[84] On Coruscant, theGreat Jedi Purge commenced with Vader and the501st Legion'ssiege of the Jedi Temple.^[79] With the clone army under his control,^[84] Sidious claimed the title ofGalactic Emperor after issuing theproclamation of the New Order in aspecial session of Congress, declaring a new era of order and security under the first Galactic Empire. The Separatist attack on Coruscant had exposed the capital's vulnerability,^[82] which, combined with Sidious' allegation of a "Jedi rebellion," compelled the Senate to support theEmperor and hisNew Order.^[79]

Yoda and Kenobi returned to Coruscant in the aftermath of Order 66. After learning of Skywalker's turn to thedark side of the Force, the two Jedi Masters resolved to destroy the Sith. Kenobi left Coruscant to find his fallen apprentice, whereas Yoda remained on the capital to confront the Emperor. However, Yodafailed to defeat Sidious; as a consequence, heexiled himself toDagobah. Meanwhile, Vader wasgrievously injured onMustafar by Kenobi, resulting in hisreconstruction on Coruscant as acyborg.^[79]

Imperial capital[]

Main article:Imperial Era

After Palpatine's accession to power, changes came quickly to Coruscant, formally renamed as Imperial Center, and the Galactic City to Imperial City.^[50] The Jedi Temple and its surrounding serene complex became the home of the new Emperor. While the spires of the Temple remained in place, the rest of the structure was heavily remodeled and expanded with sloping facades and block-shaped additions. The entire area was known as the Federal District, with the Imperial Palace forming one point of the so-called supreme triangle. The other two points were the byzantine COMPNOR arcology, which contained the headquarters of the Imperial Security Bureau, and the new Naval Intelligence Agency headquarters, a near-windowless complex which formerly housed the Republic's strategic center. The cityscape of Coruscant changed as well. Buildings were stripped of their elegant Republic dressings in favor of sleek lines and block-like surfaces, and many smaller buildings became engulfed into larger buildings. Some areas changed so quickly that they were not recognizable to those who had seen them only a few years before.^[41]

The Empire's policies against non-humans and its tightening control of the population caused unrest, especially among the alien populations of the underworld.^[86] The Empire's way of acting caused the movement in the streets to decrease, as the planet's population tried to avoid the Imperial authorities to avoid problems.^[85] TheKrrupt Gang kept hold of territory onLevel 3726, where they worked to keep even the Empire away.^[87] In9 BBY,^[88] theStinger Mantis crew, led by Jedi KnightCal Kestis, stole Imperial military information from Imperial SenatorDaho Sejan on Coruscant. A large part of Kestis' team died in theconfrontation, in addition to Sejan, who was killed by theInquisitor known as theNinth Sister for supposed betrayal. The Ninth Sister was also killed when Kestis decapitated her. The acquired information was handed over to thePartisans.^[85] As theGalactic Civil War took shape, the Empire began moving itsMon Calamari population on Coruscant. The aggressiveness of the forced relocations causedrioting to erupt in theOld Market Sector, which was brutally put down by Imperial forces.^[86]

After thedestruction of the planetAlderaan by theDeath Star, rumors of what occurred began reaching theAlderaanian population on Coruscant, most of whom lived onLevel 3204. Vigils soon became heated and angry when it became known that the Empire had destroyed the planet. For several days, rioting continued until the combined efforts of theCoruscant Security Force and Imperialstormtroopers restored order by firing indiscriminately into the crowds. The crowds, frightened, quickly dispersed. The following day, the Coruscant police arrested anyone caught out in the streets. The day after that, stormtroopers began going door to door stating thatRebelspies had recruited local residents and that Alderaanians had to be taken in for questioning.^[86]

Planetary civil war[]

Main article:Coruscant civil war

In4 ABY,^[3] the Rebel Alliance managed to defeat the Empire in the penultimateBattle of Endor. With both the Emperor and his apprentice dead, due to being killed during the destruction of theDS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station, the citizens of Coruscantrejoiced, pulling down statues of Palpatine, overwhelming the stormtroopers on the streets, and setting off chimes and fireworks.^[89] Police forces on speeders quickly entered the plaza and opened fire on the crowds without warning, killing many who were present. Present Coruscanti erupted into full-scale rioting. Blaster fire and fighting soon erupted across the capital between Coruscanti and the Imperial security forces.^[90]

In the ensuing months theNew Republic was formed and re-established theGalactic Senate onChandrila.^[90] Meanwhile, Coruscant dissolved into a true state ofcivil war, with some sectors entrenching themselves with Rebel resistance fighters, while other sectors actively fought against their neighbors and supported the Imperial forces. As the Empire fractured all over the galaxy,Grand VizierMas Amedda took control of Imperial forces on Coruscant^[30] and theCoruscanti government.^[39] However, the Imperial Navy withdrew support from thethroneworld asFleet AdmiralGallius Rax refused to allowGrand AdmiralRae Sloane, the figurehead of the Navy, to send reinforcements to the planet. Rax, leader of theShadow Council that secretly guided the Empire in its final days, saw the planet as representing the "decay" that caused the Empire's downfall.^[30]

In this vacuum, the Imperial Security Bureau was left to coordinate Coruscant's Imperial forces. Grand Vizier Mas Amedda remained the planet's administrator and de-facto head of the Empire, but held no real power. The ISB established a nominal blockade around the planet utilizing ISB spaceships and coordinated the efforts of present security forces and stormtroopers. The Verity and Federal District were heavily fortified with checkpoints and barricades. Coruscant skylanes were diverted, and ISB crafts flew on patrol. Smoke rose from damaged vehicles and buildings as a fierce guerrilla war consumed the entire planet. Amedda, in despair and desperation, sought to turn himself over to New RepublicChancellorMon Mothma andPrincessLeia Organa. However, they refused to take him prisoner, instead insisting that he find a way to capitulate the Empire and sign a full surrender.^[30]

Galactic Concordance[]

By the time of theBattle of Jakku, Grand Vizier Mas Amedda was kept under house arrest byCounselor to the Empire Rax at the Imperial Palace. There, he was forced to makepropaganda broadcasts and was treated like a virtual captive. Later, he was rescued by members of a child resistance group known as theAnklebiter Brigade, who had initially come to assassinate him. Amedda managed to persuade the child resistance fighters to help him escape so that he could end the Galactic Civil War. After emerging from hiding, Amedda contacted Chancellor Mothma to surrender. Following the signing of theImperial Instruments of Surrender and theGalactic Concordance on Chandrila, the Empire surrendered to the New Republic^[40] and ceded Coruscant over to the fledgling galactic government^[42] with Mas Amedda being permitted to form aprovisional government on Coruscant, along with Republic observers to ensure that it remained powerless under a figurehead leader. Following the Imperial surrender, weeks of celebrations took place in the streets and rooftops of Coruscant as the population celebrated the end of Imperial rule on the planet.^[40]

New Republic Era[]

A new status[]

With the Galactic Civil War concluded, the New Republic sought to reshape galactic politics in an effort to both prevent the abuses of the Old Republic and bring in disaffected worlds that had seceded from the Republic prior to the Clone Wars. To accomplish this, the restored Galactic Senate decided that all worlds would have an equal say in their government, and as such all worlds had an equal chance of hosting the legislative branch on a rotating basis, rather than simply remaining on Coruscant alone.^[42] The New Republic would eventually move some government operations back to Coruscant as the planet was already designed to handle and administer the galaxy's infrastructure,^[92] transforming Coruscant into a key administrative hub^[93] for the young government.^[44]

Indeed, Coruscant remained a populous world, home to a trillion permanent residents, and was still referred to as "the center of the galaxy" during the New Republic Era. TheNew Republic Defense Force maintained a presence on Coruscant, providing security and structure, while overseeing the decommission ofwarships from both theImperial Navy and theAlliance Fleet. InoperableImperial-class Star Destroyers were disposed insalvage yards such as theShipyard Depot on Coruscant.^[44]

After the Galactic Empire's defeat, captured Imperials were granted the chance to join the New Republic. As a result, programs like theRe-Integration Institute and theNew Republic Amnesty Program were created to facilitate a former Imperial's assimilation into the new regime. The Amnesty Program consisted of formerImperial officers andscientists who, after spending time in the Re-Integration Institute, received accommodations inAmnesty Housing on Coruscant.Amnesty Scientist L52 was assigned to work in aNew Republic skyscraper where Imperial technology was archived and destroyed.^[44]Amnesty Officer G68 worked in the samebuilding asColonelTuttle fromRequisitions.^[94] L52 was arrested byNew Republic soldiers^[44] around9 ABY,^[95] having left the program's designated perimeter to acquire equipment in the hope of continuing his cloning research, despite its prohibition by theCoruscant Accords.^[44]

Return of Thrawn[]

Late that year,^[97] GeneralHera Syndulla was summoned to Coruscant where the New RepublicSenate Oversight Committee would decided whether or not to permanently suspend her command due to her disobeying orders.^[98]

A Centrist stronghold[]

Coruscant become part of a political coalition known as theCentrists. The faction that Coruscant was associated with lobbied for centralized rule akin to the system that defined the Old Empire. Their views were diametrically opposed to that of thePopulists who sought to limit the galactic government's involvement in the affairs of its constituent worlds.^[99]

By28 ABY, Coruscant was represented in the New Republic Senate bysenior senatorArbo andjunior senatorOrris Madmund at the time of theAmaxine warrior crisis. By then, the Core WorldHosnian Prime had been designated as the capital of the New Republic. Senator Arbo was a known Centrist, war hawk, and supporter of the New Republic Defense Force.^[99] After the Senate's failed attempt to elect aFirst Senator, the Centrists seceded from the New Republic and formed the political branch of theFirst Order.^[55]

Descent into lawlessness[]

Despite being a part of the New Republic,^[99] the planet actually fell under the control of criminal syndicates after the Empire's fall. By the time following theBattle of Crait^[100] in34 ABY,^[101] even the respectable areas of Coruscant were roamed by gangs. Gangs fought abloody conflict for control of the glittering world's districts. Tourism to the once-galactic capital all but vanished, and, for an individual to be safe, they needed to afford protection like droids and armed guards. Accordingly, the city world was not a symbol of galactic possibilities. Instead, it represented the disturbing realities of the galaxy's current time period.^[100]

ThepirateHondo Ohnaka, who was saddened by Coruscant's current state, included the planet in his book titledGalactic Explorer's Guide. Within the book,RA-7 protocol droidDK-RA-43 described Coruscant's fall from grace into lawlessness as one of the greatest tragedies of their current era.

Rise of the First Order[]

In the middle of theFirst Order-Resistance War, Coruscant along with the the Inner systems mounted a valiant and successful effort to repel the First Order's forces twice.^[100] In35 ABY,^[102] At least two sizeable battlegroups made a push for Coruscant in the apparent hope of seizing it and ruling the galaxy from Coruscant due to it once being the seat of power for the Empire but these efforts were defeated. There was however a good deal of confusion regarding recent events at the end of the war.^[92]

Coruscant took part inopen rebellionagainst the First Order,^[43] which saw the First Order ultimately defeated.^[92]

Inhabitants[]

Main article:Coruscanti

Although Coruscant was believed to be the homeworld of the human species,^[38] the Coruscanti were as varied as the galaxy itself, especially as one journeyed below the surface of the skyscrapers and into the underworld.^[104] Trillions of beings resided on the planet,^[39] and humans made up 68% percent of the population.^[10] According to Qui-Gon Jinn, there were people from a thousand worlds living on Coruscant.Th'er, thePriestess of Wood fromBri'n, disdained Coruscant's planet-wide urban sprawl as an "abomination." Nevertheless, Jinn encouraged Th'er to take advantage of its diverse population, noting that there were many individuals on Coruscant whose worlds faced adversities similar to that of Bri'n.^[103]

As the center of galactic power, senators and delegates of every represented planet had a residence on Coruscant. From there they would spend their days either working in the Senate or hosting events such as parties and political meetings.^[16][80] Additionally, the planet served as the home of large communities of various species, some who rarely returned to their original homeworld. Many of those communities of species that were not human resided in the lower levels of the city. With the formation of the Empire, even the humans whose home planet had fallen out of favor with the Imperial government, such as Alderaan, were forced into enclaves in the underworld.^[86]

On the surface levels of Coruscant, skyscrapers served as homes and businesses for the wealthy, powerful, and politically connected. They were ferried by private speeder or anair taxi from one tower to the next or to the various theaters, clubs, operas, and other entertainment areas of Coruscant.^[2] Some journeyed to the surface street levels or Coruscant's surface parks to conduct clandestine meetings^[24] or to mingle in the crowds of people that streamed through the walkways of the residential and commercial areas. Among the rich and powerful of the planet were the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic and members of the Galactic Senate.^[2]

The influential and wealthy of Coruscant thrived in lavish lifestyles, attending meetings and social gatherings in highrise apartments,^[16][80] dining in fine restaurants overlooking the city,^[105] partying in the entertainment districts,^[2] and viewing large scale shows in theaters and operas.^[79] Even as the Republic decayed, the Clone Wars raged on, and the average citizen became disenfranchised,^[68] Coruscant's wealthy continued their lifestyle.^[79] The propagandaartistJanyor believed that this generation's lack of focus on galactic politics contributed to the decline and fall of the Republic.^[55]

One model of ship, theCoruscant Freighter, shared its name with Coruscant,^[106] where it was often used.^[104][107] On the streets of the city and in the shadows of skyscrapers teemed the planet's blue collar working population.^[19] Many lived in the various housing blocks of the surface structures in relative comfort though not nearly as extravagant as the planet's wealthy and powerful. Many worked on the upper and lower surface levels or enjoyed the entertainment and restaurants that were more catered to their financial abilities.^[2][80][108]

Below the housing blocks and surface levels was the population inhabiting the Coruscant underworld. A term used to describe both the thousands of levels underneath the surface, and, Coruscant's criminal population, the underworld was home to millions of the planet's population who were too poor to move upward or were hiding from the attentions of the authorities. The citizens who lived here rarely if ever during their lifetime saw the surface of the planet. Living between vast buildings and infrastructure that supported the surface, they carried on their lives at the mercy of the violence, decay, and constant threat of death.^{[104][86][107]} TheKubazGlikkin hailed from the lower levels and eventually gained enough skill to be recognized as aMaster Thief, yet Glikkin vowed to never forget his roots in Coruscant's underworld.^[109]

Government[]

Coruscant, as the center of the galaxy, thrived on the rule of government. It served as the capital of the Republic which kept the peace and prevented a major war in the galaxy for over a thousand years. Under the Republic, the Chancellor and the Senate had a direct influence on the planet's governance. Major events that affected the Republic equally affected Coruscant.^{[27][111][80][65][68]} In its last years, the Republic's Senate became corrupt, bloated, and ultimately ineffectual, though some continued to fight in the belief of its ability to govern.^[16][2]

With the formation of the Empire, the Senate transitioned into a limited role, providing council and legislation but ultimately at the power of the Emperor.^[79] As Coruscant's government services were strained, the Imperial Senate moved to have each senator open citizen assistance offices that would supplement the work of the local government. While the goal was to primarily assist the members of each senator's homeworld living on Coruscant, the assistance offices were open to help all Coruscanti.^[110]

At the height of his power, Palpatine disbanded the Senate altogether and gave what little power they had left to the regionalgovernors.^[112] At the end of the Galactic Civil War, the New Republic installed a provisional government over Coruscant led by the former Imperial Grand Vizier Mas Amedda.^[40] However, the New Republic did not establish its government on Coruscant, choosing instead to rotate the capital among the various member worlds.^[42] Under the New Republic, Coruscant was represented by a senator and junior senator,^[99] but the planet had come under the control of crime syndicates.^[100]

Epidemic outbreaks at the starports of Coruscant were controlled by theCoruscant Health Office.^[25] Coruscant was policed by the Coruscant Security Force, which utilized police droids on the upper levels together with sentient officers and detectives,^[35] and the burly underworld police who patrolled in the cutthroat environment of the lower levels.^[104] TheCoruscant Ministry of Ingress handled the flow of immigration to and from the planet,^[5] and theGalactic Republic Customs of Coruscant office monitored cargo transports.^[107]

The Senate had its own protectors, the Senate Guard. Serving under a long tradition, the Senate Guard was a reminder that though the Republic did not have a standing army, it was not defenseless.^[113] As the Clone Wars erupted, the clone troopers of the Coruscant Guard worked as peacekeepers and military police, providing a constant reminder of the expanded power of the government, specifically Palpatine.^[114] With the formation of the Empire, the Coruscant Guard and Imperial stormtroopers took over the functions of the Senate Guard,^[113] with stormtroopers directly responsible for security on the planet, alongside the civilian Coruscant police.^[86]

Locations[]

The upper city[]

CoCo Town[]

Main article:CoCo Town

CoCo Town was a dilapidated industrial area of Coruscant. Home to mostly hard-working laborers, CoCo Town was located on a surface area of the city.^[19] The area, however, was not as run down as other heavy industrial surface districts and contained relatively well-maintained streets, speeder lanes, and a shuttle bus route.^[2] On one of the main streets built on top of the urban blocks was an eatery called Dex's Diner. Owned and operated by Dexter Jettster, aBesalisk with a colorful background, it served mostly hard workers from the area. The diner offered home-style cooked meals and freshly brewedardees. Jettster worked as the cook and employed two waitresses,Hermione Bagwa and herdroid partner,WA-7.^[19] Shortly before the Clone Wars, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi came to Dex's Diner to see if his old friend Jettster could identify a poisoned dart. Jettster identified it as originating from the planet Kamino, which he knew of from his days as a prospector.^[2]

During the civil war that erupted after the Emperor's death, CoCo Town became an epicenter of the fight between rebel and Imperial forces. The fighting saw the formation of the so-called Anklebiter Brigade, a group of youths familiar with the underground maintenance systems, who would use them to sneak behind Imperial lines and disrupt their abilities to fight.^[90]

COMPNOR arcology[]

Main article:COMPNOR arcology

The COMPNOR arcology was a huge, labyrinthine building in the Imperial City's Federal District^[115], housing several Imperial government agencies including theCommission for the Preservation of the New Order and theUbiqtorate.^[41] High-ranking officers such asMinister of InformationPollux Hax maintained offices in the complex,^[115] while theImperial Security Bureau'sCentral Office was directly connected with it. The importance of the complex led to it being considered one of the three points of the District's "supreme triangle", alongside the Imperial Palace and Navy Intelligence Headquarters.^[41]

Grand Republic Medical Facility[]

Main article:Grand Republic Medical Facility

The Grand Republic Medical Facility was a tower built to serve as a treatment center for badly injured Republic soldiers. The building was heavily guarded and had defensive shields, an independent power supply and was armored to where it could withstand a siege. The facility provided treatment to patients from all over the galaxy and boasted cutting-edge techniques in surgery and biomechanical reconstruction. The heavy fortifications and benign front appealed to Palpatine, and towards the end of the Clone Wars, he began using the lower levels of the facility to store Sith artifacts and as a meditation area, access to which was prevented by the Red Guards.^[5]

Jedi GeneralShaak Ti andDoctorNala Se escorted theAdvanced Recon CommandoCT-5555 "Fives" to the Grand Republic Medical Facility as part of their investigation into the actions ofCT-5385,^[116] the clone trooper who prematurely executed Order 66.^[117] Chancellor Palpatine confronted Fives in the facility, revealing his true nature. Fives fought back against the Red Guards and escaped the facility, though he was eventually located and killed by the Coruscant Guard.^[116] After ending Fives' threat to Palpatine's plans, the Medical Facility was temporarily closed, and Palpatine used the opportunity to move several larger secretSith artifacts into the tower from a building in the Works. However, the medical capabilities remained operational and were used to build the life-sustaining suit for Darth Vader after his fateful duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Sith artifacts inside the building fueled Vader's recovery and hate.^[5]

Imperial Executive Building[]

Main article:Imperial Executive Building

Directly adjacent to the Senate Building was the Senate Office Building. The executive building had docking bays that wrapped around the building, allowing Senators to land their private shuttles and walk inside. The building contained mostly offices and meeting rooms for members of the Senate but also held the offices used on a day-to-day basis by the Supreme Chancellor. During Palpatine's term, the Chancellor's office was decorated with red floors and walls as well as several statues. A lobby led to the Chancellor's public office, which contained a grand desk and large window that overlooked the cityscape. To the side, another hallway led to Palpatine's inner private office.^[79] The Senate Office Building became known as the Imperial Executive Building after the Republic's reorganization into the Galactic Empire.^[118]

Imperial Inspectorate HQ[]

Main article:Imperial Inspectorate HQ

The Imperial Inspectorate HQ served as theImperial Military headquarters of theInspectorate^[119] as well as theNaval Intelligence Agency during the Empire's reign.^[41] The facility was originally a Republic military base; constructed in close proximity to the staging areas forStar Destroyers, the Republic Center for Military Operations was designed byOrson Callan Krennic.^[18] Outside of the complex was an airfield withVenator-class Star Destroyers,HAVw A6 Juggernauts, and other ships. TheFirst Battle Memorial was located in front of the base's main entrance.^[36]

The base was protected by shock troopers of the Coruscant Guard. Inside was a military prison, the cells had two options for entering. The first was sliding a keycard. The second was pressing a button on the outside of each cell. The cells had ray-shielded doors to make sure prisoners did not escape. Inside each cell was a bed and bowls for water and food. Another area in the prison was a medium circular room with a fairly large computer for scanning people before they entered the base, a crate for weapons and communication devices, and a red button to start the red-alert sequence.^[36]

In the latter half of the war, the prison heldWhorm Loathsom,Poggle the Lesser, andWat Tambor. It was also here that Ahsoka Tano escaped when she was suspected of killing Letta Turmond.^[36] Additionally, inside the compound was a military tribunal courtroom, in which the court decided the fate of dangerous criminals. It was a tall room, with platforms extending into its center for the accused, prosecution, and defense. There was seating along its walls for the presiding official, jury, and other trial participants and onlookers.^[77]

Imperial Palace[]

Main article:Imperial Palace

As the galactic capital, Coruscant was also home to the Jedi Order, guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. An order of Force-sensitives, the Jedi Knights served the Republic for thousands of years as keepers of the peace. Their home was the Jedi Temple. Built on a plain of low lying urban blocks, the Jedi Temple was easily recognizable on the Coruscant cityscape with its distinctive five spires. Part school and part monastery, the Temple was the hub of all Jedi activity throughout the galaxy.^[121] In one of the spires sat the Jedi High Council, led by the Grand Master of the Order, which directed the actions of the Jedi and served as advisers to the Senate and Chancellor.^[122]

The Temple held a large lobby and chambers with statues of famous Jedi^[2] and also contained numerous facilities including hanger bays for starships and speeders utilized by the Jedi,^[79] sleeping and living quarters, rooms for meetings and instruction,^[2] a medical facility,^[123] prison cells,^[68] and communications and security stations.^[79] The Temple also held the famousJedi Archives, which stored the largest collection of information on the galaxy^[2] as well as a vault containing the valuableholocrons containing the Order's Force knowledge and secrets.^[70]

During the Clone Wars, the Jedi, serving as generals and commanders of the Grand Army, coordinated their efforts from the Temple. However, as the war began to conclude, the Jedi became more separated from the hierarchy of the military command and establishment.^[68][104] When Palpatine was revealed as the Sith Lord the Jedi had been searching for, he ordered the execution of Order 66 and sent his new apprentice Darth Vader to the Jedi Temple. Entering with the 501st Legion, Vader and the clone troopers seized the Temple, killing all the Jedi and younglings inside and setting the monastery ablaze. Later, Masters Yoda and Kenobi infiltrated the Temple to discover what had occurred. It was there they reconfigured a distress signal transmitting from the Temple to any surviving Jedi asking them to return (into a Sith trap), and learned the truth of Skywalker's fall and Palpatine's identity as the Dark Lord of the Sith.^[79]

After the war, Palpatine turned the Temple into the Imperial Palace, using it as his new home. The Temple's spires remained intact though the rest of the Temple was heavily remodeled and expanded. The hallways were stripped of all statues and Republic-era ornaments. Where they had once been quiet and solemn, they became filled with busy government workers and functionaries. A large landing courtyard allowed for shuttles and starships to land. The entire Palace complex was watched over by the red-robed Imperial Royal Guard. The center spire was converted into the Emperor's throne room with a ten-meter tall podium in the center accessible by the Emperor from his residence via a private turbolift.^[41] The structure remained standing on Coruscant throughout the Emperor's reign.^[89]

Imperial Senate Building[]

Main article:Galactic Senate Building

The Senate Building was located within the heart of the dense Federal District. Delegates would meet here during sessions of congress to discuss legislation and galactic policy. The structure's recognizable dome was two kilometers in diameter; theGalactic Senate Chamber could seat over a thousand senators.^[5] Each senatorial delegation had their own hover platform, which they could detach from the walls of the chamber. They could then float it throughout the cavernous hall to be recognized by the Senate chair or to debate the issue at hand. In the center of the Senate chamber was the Chancellor's podium. Seated in it would be the Supreme Chancellor and the Senate's Vice Chair, who would lead sessions of congress.^[16] The podium could be lowered to an office used by the Chancellor below the chamber.^[79]

The lower levels[]

Coruscant Underworld[]

Main article:Coruscant Underworld

Beneath the top-level structures, streets and glistening lights of the city surface was Coruscant's underworld. Its underworld was known for its crime and smugglers. It was accessible by huge portals that additionally served as ventilation shafts. The underworld was a massive city beneath a city with hundreds oflevels built on top of each other. On each level, dwellings and smaller buildings were squeezed in between massive towers and infrastructure that serviced the upper levels. The streets and alleyways were narrow and large sections contained massive buildings and warehouses, largely abandoned. Sunlight almost never reached the lower levels, which had to be artificially lit.^[104]

The population was able to move from one area to another viatrains that ran below and above the planet's surface. While airspeeders were used, they were a less common sight than on the surface levels. The underworld, containing a vast population of the poor and criminal, was dark and violent. Those who wanted to disappear to hide from the authorities or to conduct illegal transactions could blend in despite the presence of cam droids and other monitoring technology.^[104] Patrolled by the underworld police division of the Coruscant Security Force, the underworld was where large populations of species not loyal to the Emperor were relocated to after the formation of the Empire. Uprisings and riots became common, with stormtroopers frequently called in to assist the Coruscant cops in putting down any dissent with ruthless violence.^[86]

Forbidden levels[]

Main article:Forbidden levels

The "forbidden levels" was a name given to the levels beneath level 5 of Coruscant, which were banned from public entry.^[51]

Level 2046[]

Main article:Level 2046

Level 2046 was a middle level in the city. Home to a thriving community of sellers and industrialists, the sector housed dozens of shops and even a meat packing plant. Yet, there was also many impoverished citizens and desperate people who lived on this level. By the Imperial Era, the economy of the area had started to decline, even with the Empire's ruthless crackdown on crime. The increased oppression and protection racketeering from troopers hurt many of the businesses there, and corrupt politicians, such as Senator Daho Sejan, would use the level as a way of increasing the financial power. This level also featured at least oneDesi's Noodles, a common food chain of popular fast food stores that were located in the Coruscant Underworld. Eating there was considered a must for travelers to the planet. Many stormtroopers frequented the locations for their famous dishes.^[85]

Uscru District[]

Upper district[]

Main article:Uscru District

Coruscant's entertainment districts catered to everyone from the wealthy and powerful to the secretive and criminal. The upper sections of the Uscru District reached to upper levels of the city where theGalaxies Opera House was located. It was here that Chancellor Palpatine often would come to enjoy various performances. He also met Anakin Skywalker and told him the story ofDarth Plagueis to subvert Skywalker's faith in the Jedi.^[124]

Lower district[]

Main article:Uscru Entertainment District

Further down in the lower levels of the Uscru Entertainment District was a variety of establishments, most notably theOutlander Club. The club was situated in a less developed area of the district and did not garner as much attention from the police, a fact that worked in the club's favor. Its labyrinth of bars, gambling rooms and sleeping quarters allowed for a wide variety of visitors and entertainment. In the center was a large bar, usually crowded, that catered to all parts of Coruscant's society.^[5] Jedi Knights Kenobi and Skywalker pursued bounty hunterZam Wesell into the Uscru District after her attempted assassination of Senator Amidala. The pursuit ended in the Outlander Club, where the Jedi located the assassin. However, Wesell was killed by bounty hunter Jango Fett in an alley outside the club before the Jedi could finish questioning her.^[2]

The Works[]

Main article:The Works

A large sector and industrial area,The Works was once a great manufacturing district, recognized as a major source of production forspacecraft parts,construction droids, and building materials. However, centuries prior to the Clone Wars, increasingly high cost on Coruscant prompted most manufacturers to shift their operations to off-planet facilities. Afterwards, the Works mainly consisted of long-abandoned buildings and empty warehouses, many of which were appropriated by criminals, with large areas rendered uninhabitable by toxic waste. Because of this, a derelict hangar in the neglected industrial zone was the site of clandestine meetings between Darth Sidious and Darth Tyranus during the Clone Wars.^[1]

Behind the scenes[]

In theRough Draft and Revised Rough Draft of the script forStar Wars: Episode VIReturn of the Jedi, the Imperial capital planet was set to appear under the nameHad Abbadon.^[126] During the development ofStar Wars: Episode IThe Phantom Menace,George Lucas officially adopted the name Coruscant for the planet, a name that was created byTimothy Zahn for hisJune1991Legends novelHeir to the Empire. The planet first appeared in the1994Star Wars: Tie Fighter (video game), which showed scenes on Coruscant of theImperial Palace, with its name first mentioned inThe Phantom Menace. Theprequel trilogy and theStar Wars: The Clone Wars film andtelevision series showed Coruscant as a major center of activity and action. InRogue One: A Star Wars Story the planet is briefly revisited via the dreams ofJyn Erso, featuring her childhood on Coruscant with her father,Galen Erso andOrson Krennic. Coruscant was a location in early versions ofStar Wars: Episode IX—both inColin Trevorrow'sDuel of the Fates script and in the early concept stages for what becameThe Rise of Skywalker; For the latter, it eventually evolved intoExegol.^[127]

Appearances[]

Non-canon appearances[]

Sources[]