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Cardassia Prime (or simply Cardassia) was the inhabited second and prime planet in the Cardassian system, located in the Alpha Quadrant. The planet had one moon. Cardassia Prime was the capital world of the Cardassian Union and the homeworld of the Cardassians, a warp capable humanoid species. For two years, from 2373-2375, Cardassia Prime was an ally of the Dominion.

Location

Dominion withdrawal, Cardassian system, tactical display

The location of Cardassia in the Cardassian system

In 2375, the location of Cardassia was labeled on a tactical map that was displayed in the wardroom of Deep Space 9. Cardassia was located approximately five light years from Bajor, thirty light years from Starbase 375, and fifty-five light years from Ferenginar. (DS9: "When It Rains...", okudagram)

According to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, (pg. 3) the exact distance between Cardassia and Bajor was 5.25 light years. According to a stellar cartography map on the same page, Cardassia was located in the Bajor sector. [1]

Later that year, the position and orbital path of Cardassia was illustrated on a tactical map that was displayed in the wardroom of Deep Space 9. (DS9: "The Dogs of War", okudagram)

Planetary features

In comparison to Humans, Cardassians preferred a darker, warmer and more humid environment, most likely reflecting the surface conditions on their homeworld. (DS9: "For the Cause")

Although Cardassia Prime was a world with few natural resources, the rare mineral jevonite could be found on the planet. (TNG: "Chain of Command, Part II")

Geographical

Cities

Locations

Flora and fauna


History

Main article: Cardassian history

Prior to the militarization of the Cardassian government, Cardassia was home to some of the finest art and architecture in the quadrant. However, the once great Cardassian civilization fell in to severe decay. Due to the planet's scarcity in natural resources, the impoverished society suffered from famine and disease, leading to millions of deaths. The Cardassian military continued this destruction of its heritage in order to fund the Federation-Cardassian War. (TNG: "Chain of Command, Part II")

At the end of the Dominion War, determined to punish the Cardassian people for their acts of rebellion against the Dominion, Weyoun ordered that Lakarian City be destroyed, resulting in the deaths of two million civilians. This could not, however, have prepared the Cardassian people for an even greater tragedy. After the destruction of Lakarian City, the Cardassian forces switched sides to aid the Federation Alliance. Enraged by the turn of events and betrayal, the Female Changeling demanded that the Cardassian people be wiped out. After planetary bombardment from the Dominion and Breen fleets in orbit and mass slaughter from the Jem'Hadar on the planet surface, the death toll stood at an estimated eight hundred million Cardassians, with a large portion of the cities in ruins. (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")

Appendices

Appearances

Background information

Cardassian Court TV

A Cardassian trial is broadcast in the streets on Cardassia

"car-DASS-ee-uh" was the pronunciation for this planet's name from the script pronunciation guide for "Tribunal". [2]

Cardassia Prime was first seen on screen in DS9: "Tribunal". Production designer Herman Zimmerman has said he took inspiration in the set design for this episode from George Orwell's 1948 book Nineteen Eighty-Four, and of the final look of Cardassia, Zimmerman explains, "Spartan, uncompromising and merciless are all adjectives that you could use to describe Cardassia." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)

According to Star Trek: Star Charts (pp. 35, 43, & 46), the Cardassian system primary was named Cardassia, a Class K star with a magnitude of -1, which was a hundred times brighter than Sol. Cardassia Prime was the sixth planet in the Cardassia System. This capital city was Lakat, and the population of the planet was counted as 7.9 billion in 2378. The Cardassians have been warp capable since 1925. Major attractions of the planet included the Imperial Plaza, the Lakarian Amusement Park, and University of Culat. In 2375, the Dominion destroyed most of the major cities.

Apocrypha

In the non-canon novel A Stitch in Time, Elim Garak aids in the reconstruction of Cardassia after the Dominion War. Furthermore, despite opposition from prominent figures such as Gul Evek and Gul Madred, Cardassia took on a democratic-styled government, ending the military's rule.

In the alternate future seen in the Deep Space Nine book trilogy Millennium, Cardassia Prime, along with the entire Cardassian Union, were razed by the Grigari. By the year 2399, the Cardassians were all but extinct.

External links

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