Cardassia Prime

Cardassia Prime

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

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

Geographical

Cities

• Lakarian City
• Lakat
• Culat

Locations

• Imperial Plaza

Flora and fauna

• Cardassian vole
• Gettle
• Riding hound
• Taspar
• Wompat

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")

The capital city after the Dominion War

Dominion and Breen ships and orbital weapon platforms in orbit of Cardassia Prime

Appendices

Appearances

• TNG:
  • "Chain of Command, Part I"
  • "Chain of Command, Part II"
• DS9:
  • "Tribunal"
  • "Second Skin"
  • "Defiant"
  • "Trials and Tribble-ations"
  • "By Inferno's Light"
  • "Tears of the Prophets"
  • "Image in the Sand"
  • "Shadows and Symbols"
  • "Treachery, Faith and the Great River"
  • "Penumbra"
  • "'Til Death Do Us Part"
  • "Strange Bedfellows"
  • "The Changing Face of Evil"
  • "Tacking Into the Wind"
  • "The Dogs of War"
  • "What You Leave Behind"

Background

A Cardassian trial is broadcast in the streets on Cardassia

Behind the Scenes

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)

Star Trek: Star Charts

The Cardassian system's primary was named Cardassia. Cardassia was 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 planet's planetary capital was Lakat, and the population 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. The Cardassia Prime system was depicted as having two moons. (Pages 35, 37, & 46)

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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