Coruscant

Coruscant was conceived by George Lucas as a planet that is entirely a city, drawing inspiration from the dense urban landscapes of New York and Tokyo, as well as the concept of a planetary capital. The name derives from the Latin coruscant, meaning 'glittering' or 'sparkling,' fitting its gleaming towers. In the prequel trilogy, the planet was realized through a combination of miniature models and computer-generated imagery, with the Jedi Temple and the Galactic Senate building as iconic landmarks. The design emphasizes vertical stratification: the wealthy live in the upper levels bathed in sunlight, while the lower levels are dark, polluted, and lawless, reflecting social inequality.

Coruscant is the political heart of the galaxy, hosting the Galactic Senate and the Jedi Order. It was the capital of the Old Republic, then the Galactic Empire, and later the New Republic. The planet was the site of major events, including the election of Palpatine as Supreme Chancellor, the execution of Order 66, and the Battle of Coruscant during the Clone Wars. In the sequel era, it is briefly occupied by the First Order. The planet's history is detailed in various canon and Legends sources, including the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series and the novel Catalyst.

Coruscant serves as a narrative device to explore themes of power, bureaucracy, and corruption. Its depiction as a planet-wide city critiques unchecked urbanization and the loss of nature. The contrast between the gleaming upper levels and the dangerous lower levels mirrors real-world class divisions. The planet also appears in numerous spin-off media, including video games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Star Wars: The Old Republic, and in the animated series Star Wars Rebels. Its role as a hub of galactic politics makes it a recurring setting for stories about diplomacy and intrigue.

Coruscant has several obscure details: its original name in early drafts was 'Had Abbadon,' and it was first mentioned in the 1991 novel Heir to the Empire before appearing on screen. The planet's lower levels are home to a vast underworld, including the 'Level 1313' featured in the cancelled video game Star Wars 1313. In Legends, the planet's surface is entirely covered by a city that extends miles deep, with some levels abandoned for centuries. The planet is also the birthplace of the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the 2002 film Attack of the Clones, though this was later changed in canon. Additionally, the planet's rotation is slow, with a day lasting about 24 standard hours, but its year is 368 days.

Ecumenopolis

A planet-wide city, a term used to describe Coruscant's urban coverage.

Jedi Temple

The headquarters of the Jedi Order on Coruscant, later converted into the Imperial Palace.

Galactic Senate

The legislative body of the Republic, located in the Senate Building on Coruscant.