Who doesn’t love the planets in Star Wars?
- Think of the Judicial Forces and Planetary Security Forces as the United States military after WWI and before WWII (in terms of size). The planet Iseno had the Iseno Rangers. Corellia had Corsec and the Green Jedi. Just Imagine if the Yuuzhan Vong invaded the galaxy before the clone wars when the Republic militarily was at its weakest.
- Sep 01, 2020 Star Wars has such a big galaxy and tons of planets to work with, but we really don't see a lot of what's happening on those planets. Sometimes it feels like there are only a few inhabited.
- Not marked on any star map and not recognized with any specific name, the Force planet is a mystical world and the foundation of life itself. It is the birthplace of the midi-chlorians, microscopic organisms that connect the living Force to the cosmic Force. Surrounded by a bright nebula, the Force planet.
From the snowy winds of Hoth to the volcanos of Mustafar, Star Wars planets are thrilling to discuss.
May 24, 2018 The Force is strong with you! Clearly you’ve been studying Star Wars trivia all your life—maybe even re-watching all of the movies and animated series while you eagerly await Solo: A Star Wars Story? We applaud your abilities; now go and share what.
However, the planets can remind us of our own planet earth. So, in this blog post we will compare the fantastic planets in a galaxy far, far away with the earth itself.
Let’s begin!
Tatooine
Seen in: Star Wars prequels & the Original trilogy
The real-world country: Tunisia
Why: Both are blazing hot, desert-like countries. But more than that, George Lucas drew inspiration from Tunisia. Many Tatooine scenes were shot there!
History buffs may have an interest in Carthage, one of the most affluent cities of the Ancient World. There are some comparisons with Tatooine: a history of slavery, trade, and more recently, violent attacks.
Despite that, Tunisia has captured the imagination of many Star Wars fans.
Star Wars Planets Force Awakens
You can read more about the relationship between Tunisia and Star Wars here. (External link)
Bespin
Seen in: Empire Strikes Back
The real-world country: Switzerland
Why: Both Bespin and Switzerland are extremely developed countries, home to the rich and to the influential. The Swiss tend to highly skilled and enjoy a low unemployment rate.
From a political standpoint, both Bespin and Switzerland have a history of remaining neutral in times of warfare.
Yet what connects Switzerland to Bespin is geography. Both places are ‘in the clouds’- from Bespin’s Cloud City to Switzerland’s Jungfraujoch. After all, the Swiss Alps offer some of the highest peaks in Southern Europe.
Plus, I can imagine Lando enjoying some fine chocolate and cheese in St. Moritz!
Coruscant
Seen in: The prequels
The real-world country: China
Why: Both China and Coruscant are extremely populated. Both suffer from turbulent histories of corruption, violence and dishonest politics. In a heartbreaking way, the massacre of the Jedis can be compared to the Cultural Revolution in China. After all, both events resulted in the sacking of religious places!
Both China and Coruscant are places of power. Among Star Wars fans, the Emperor is widely accepted as the most powerful character for the majority of the series. Likewise, China’s President Xi Jinping was named the most powerful person in the world by Forbes in 2019. That involved beating heavyweights such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump!
And finally. Whenever I look at Coruscant, I see Shanghai’s future. Whether we discuss flying pods or technological advancements, one of Asia’s capitals is entering a new stage of development.
Alderaan
Seen in: Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope
The real-world country: Austria
Why: Both are known for their mountains, and high-culture. Both places are liveable, and have a reputation for beauty.
“The galaxy knows Alderaan as ‘the planet of beauty.’ Nature, poetry, philosophy, art, couture, cuisine—we freely share all with all.“
Bail OrganaHaving been to Austria, I can say that it is a clean, accessible country that is absolutely stunning in its beauty. Whether you are in Innbsruck or Vienna, Austria has a remarkable, aesthetic beauty about it.
Sadly, it’s Star Wars counterpart, Alderaan, was blown up. If we could visit Star Wars planets, I can imagine Alderaan being a popular choice. With what little knowledge we know of it, we can imagine a safe place where people prosper.
Naboo
Seen in: The prequels
The real-world country: Italy
Why: Both Italy and Naboo are decadent places that represent ‘the old.’ Just as Italy represents the historic Vatican as well as the Roman Empire, Naboo is seen as the ‘best of the Old Republic.’
Also, both places are quite stunning and would make ideal holidays. Even more, I can picture Padme shopping up a storm in Milan or Florence! Yet the parallels don’t stop there. The scenes between Anakin and Padme in Attack of the Clones remind me of Verona and Assissi.
Italy has a ‘city amongst the water’- Venice. Star Wars takes it a step further, and depicts a city that is literally inside the water that the Gungan species calls home.
Both Naboo and Italy are diverse countries with alot to offer.
Endor
Seen in: Return of the Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker
The real-world country: Peru
Physics And Star Wars - Wikipedia
Why: The beautiful rainforests! Both Endor and Peru share tropical climates and mountains. Whether we are discussing Machu Picchu, or how both Endor and Peru are rich in natural resources, the comparisons are endless.
Adding onto that, both Peru and Endor share fascinating cultures, and would make perfect holiday destinations!
Canto Bight
Seen in: The Last Jedi
The real-world country: Monaco
Why: Gambling. Home for the rich and the influential. Lavish lifestyles. Parties. Canto Bight, although briefly explored in The Last Jedi, captures the imagination of those who love luxury and Monte Carlo like experiences.
Whilst TLJ was critical of places such as Canto Bight, Monaco enjoys many tourists and a booming economy every year.
Felucia
Seen in: Revenge of the Sith
The real-world country: Sri Lanka
Why: Both Sri Lanka and Felucia contain wildlife, flora in the most vivid colours and a tropical climate. Although we only saw Felucia briefly in the heartbreaking ‘Execute 66’ scene, we can enjoy Sri Lanka for a longer time.
Ahch-To
Seen in: The Force Awakens & The Last Jedi
The real-world country: Ireland
Why: Not only are both countries green and rainy, but also enjoy a nice quiet about them. Having travelled around Ireland myself, I remember how peaceful everything seemed.
More than that, both Ireland and Ahch-To seem to have some ancient magic about them. In Ireland, you have of course, The Giant’s Causeway. Whereas in Ahch-To, Rey’s mysterious cave scene evoked ancient, magical wonders.
Savareen
Seen in: Solo
The real-world country: Australia
Why: My country! Both Australia and Savareen are sandy countries with plenty of ocean. As Savareen is located in the Outer Rim territories, this will sound familiar to any Australian who has been told they live ‘too far away.’
Whilst Australia is a very safe country, we do like indulging in stories about lawlessness and crime. (After all, we are a country of convicts!) And for that, I can imagine many Australians visiting Savareen and feeling right in the middle of the action.
Mustafar
And finally, let’s talk about a planet that is literally lava.
Seen In: Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One
The real-world country: Indonesia
Why: Not only is Indonesia in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ (It’s hot!), but it has the highest amount of active volcanos in the world. For those who are interested in a real-world equivalent to Mustafar, check out “Krakatoa.”
Although no country on Earth is like Mustafar, I think Indonesia comes close. After all, the history of volcanos gave Indonesia the edge.
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And that brings this list to a close! What are your favourite Star Wars planets? Have you visited any of the locations on this list? Comment below!
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It’s a scary galaxy out there. Aside from Sith Lords and Imperial threats (and stormtroopers ruining the beautiful beaches of Scarif), travelers have to face threats of harsh terrain and harsher creatures. Some planets are so foreboding as to even send a chill up the spines of even the fiercest Jedi. So, in the spirit of Halloween, let’s take a look at some of the scariest Star Wars planets.
1. Moraband (First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars, “Sacrifice”)
Moraband is a planet of ghosts with bad attitudes. Home to the original Sith, the red desert world is a mountainous wasteland apparently only populated by Sith spirits, and talking serpents (or was that an illusion?). The main attraction of Moraband is the temple located in the burial grounds known as the Valley of the Dark Lords. The Sith Temple itself contains a Jedi execution chamber, and the tomb of none other than Darth Bane — whose spirit also haunts the temple — making the Outer Rim planet a cradle of dark side evil.
2. Abafar (First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars, “A Sunny Day in the Void”)
It’s not the dark side, ghosts, or monsters that will do in a traveler to Abafar — it’s their own mind. Aside from the sunken city settlement of Pons Ora, Abafar’s desert (nicknamed “The Void”) appears featureless, which is precisely why it is so frightening. Regolith on the surface twists light and obscures shadows, while the unique atmosphere turns the sunlight into an unchanging glow. Without a sense of place or direction, one might slowly lose their grip on sanity, lost and mad with thirst — unless, that is, they are lucky enough to hitch a ride with a herd of long-necked Void striders on their way to a water source.
3. Malachor (First Appearance: Star Wars Rebels, “Twilight of the Apprentice”)
Dark and desolate, this battlefield planet haunts like few others in the galaxy. Malachor is foreboding with its rocky terrain and a hollow crust leading to a darkened underworld — and that’s before one discovers the petrified remains. The planet is strong with the dark side, and was the site of the Great Scourge of Malachor where Jedi and Sith clashed millennia ago in a fight that involved Sith witches and superweapons. (As seen in the image above, Ezra Bridger discovered an ancient cross-saber among the charred bodies.) And no side truly won. A Sith Temple exists beneath the planet surface, where a dark side “presence” existed within an obelisk, waiting to be activated. Malachor is so scary, it is used in a bogeyman tale told younglings, and a place for all Jedi to avoid.
4. Dagobah (First Appearance: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back)
Shrouded in fog with raging rains and lightning, Dagobah is the definition of “dark and stormy.” Though there is no civilization, everything is alive on this Outer Rim swamp planet. And a lot of it might want to eat a traveler (droids being an exception). Swamp slugs, pythons, and dragonsnakes in peat bogs, and a whole lot more, pose a threat on this mysterious world. Dagobah also has the distinction of being strong with the living Force. But under a gnarltree exists the cave of evil, a nexus of the dark side. Approaching it fills one with a sense of dread, as the body goes cold and malice reaches out from it like tendrils. Should one enter this malevolent vergence, they will be haunted by sinister spectres and illusions which reflect their own deepest, darkest self. Most of Dagobah presents danger, but is a place of life. The cave is a domain of evil.
5. Dathomir (First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars, “Nightsisters”)
What isn’t scary about this world in the Quelli sector? Under a blood-red sky, the dark side of the Force permeates Dathomir’s dangerous swamplands, overgrown vegetation, and forests populated by gnarled trees that bear cocoon fruit. It is home to all manner of creepy crawlies, like snakes and lizards, as well as the crustacean-like, tentacled beast “The Sleeper.” As if that isn’t enough, Dathomir is a home planet to rancors. But wait, there’s more: The scariest part of Dathomir are the Force-wielding Nightsisters, an unchallenged witch coven residing in fortresses along the swamps. One trick they can pull off with their dark magicks: Summoning armies of dead Nightsisters from those cocoons, who return as shrieking zombie mummies that destroy all in their path. Basically, Dathomir is a perfect nightmare planet where a haunted house may seem quaint.
6. Mustafar (First Appearance: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
Storms rage as the gravitational pull of two gas giants constantly tug on this volcanic Outer Rim planet. The sky is blotted out, and lava fleas, man-eating lava eels, carnivorous roggwarts, and beetles crawl through lava rivers, tunnels, and caves. This doesn’t make Mustafar welcoming, but it’s not what makes it frightening. No, the fear-inducing reputation of the planet belongs to Darth Vader, and is home to his stronghold, a towering fortress. Vader was not born on Mustafar, but the planet was the sight of his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi, where much of his human body was destroyed. Ironic, then, that the Dark Lord chose to build his tower of terror here, with the assistance of Sith Lord and sculptor Momin (whose powers allowed him to be restored via possession). Already a locus for the dark side, Fortress Vader acts as a tuning fork for the Force. Along with the fact that the castle is also where captured Jedi are sent to be interrogated and executed, Mustafar is hands-down one of the scariest places a traveler can find themselves.
What do you think is the scariest Star Wars planet? Let us know in the comments below!
Aaron Sagers is a tiki-loving, NYC-based journalist, TV host, author, comic-con mod, and professional nerd with endless curiosity. He loves geeking out with fellow fans about sci-fi, horror, and paranormal pop culture on Instagram and Twitter, and his karaoke song is “Yub Nub.”