Naboo (planet)

Naboo is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe.

Located in the Chommell sector, Naboo is the home planet of Queen Amidala and Jar Jar Binks, as well as Senator (later Chancellor and then Emperor) Palpatine. In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, it was the site of a blockade by the Trade Federation and the Battle of Naboo between the Federation and the native inhabitants.

Geographic features
Naboo has long been an enigma to astrophysicists, Its porous, plasma-rich interior and lack of a molten core is a phenomenon not found on any known planet in the galaxy. The surface of Naboo is covered by dense swamps, rolling grass plains, and verdant hills. The largest mountain chain, the Gallo Mountains, bisect the largest contient and divides the great grass plains of the north from the Lianorm Swamp in the south. South of the Lianorm Swamp is Paonga Sea, where at the bottom lies the Gungan city of Otah Gunga. Underneath the planet's surface is a tremendous maze of passages and caves, home to immense aquatic animals and creatures that are never seen on the surface. Gungans dominate these 'underwaterways', using them as a highway of sorts between their surface Holy Places and their underwater cities.

History
It is not known if the aquatic Gungans are the 'original' inhabitants of Naboo, but they may have evolved in the interior underground seas or the swamplands.

What is known is that a pre-Gungan humanoid civilization did live on the surface tens of thousands of years ago, leaving monuments and ruins scattered throughout the planet. The largest of these ruins, located on the northern edge of the Lianorm Swamp, was identified as the Gungan Holy Place. Gungans view these ruins as sacred, and their builders as the "Elders" of the planet. Eventually both Gungan and Human Naboo scientists agree that the end of the "Elder" civilization may be the result of the "Elders" not living in harmony with nature.

Gungans dominated Naboo for a great time, though largely keeping to the swamps and waterways; the mountains and grasslands considered 'desert-like' for them. Eventually, 4,000 years BBY, human refugees fleeing violent revolution on their core world planet of Grizmallt settled in the mountains and great grass plains. Some believe that Naboo was originally a gungan word for "plainsfolk". Cultural differences led to tension between the two peoples - but direct conflict was rare. Over time there was more conflict between the various human settlements than between humans and Gungans.

The human culture of Naboo remained a largely pastoral and nomadic, though urban centers developed. Deeja Peak, in the Gallo Mountains, developed as one of the first human settlements on the planet, keeping a degree of political power there. Keren and Theed both developed as farming communities whose over-production of foodstuffs provided for a large leisure class. Keren eventually became the commercial hub while Theed became more aristocratic. Kaadera developed as a coastal town for the few Naboo fisherman. Moenia was the first, and only, human colony built in the traditional Gungan homelands of the Lianorm swamps.

The Naboo developed into a classic feudal society with a hereditary noble class and common folk, though unlike most feudal societies, there is no record of a subservient serf class. Naboo city-states traded with each other and with the Gungans. Generally the city-states awknowledged a ceremonial "High King" - a position that at times rotated between the city-state princes, though at other times was vested in a royal house. This ceremonial position was largely powerless and a form of peerage democracy evolved.

King Narmele the Explorer colonized Naboo's swampy moon of Rori, some time around 2,000 BBY A city there still bears his name. Some scientists contend that earlier colonists settled Rori before the Narmele colony, but if this is true, no trace of them has been found.

In 1,000 BBY a crisis led to a large scale conflict engulfing all the human Naboo city states, though there was no evidence of Gungan participation. Theed's King Jafan ended the conflict, uniting all Naboo under his leadership by 830 BBY. Jafan ushered in the "Great Time of Peace" and Theed became the Royal Capital, eclipsing Deeja Peak. The Jafan Dynasty reigned until the last of their line expired (circa 150 BBY). Since then the position of monarch has been an elected post, with a fluid consitution that allows for hereditary rulership to be vested in a noble dynasty.

By King Veruna's reign, 47 BBY, Naboo had become a major player in the international plasma energy trade market. Long known as a source of plasma (the energy source that powers everything from simple lights to great gungan underwater cities and capital starships), high grade plasma veins were discovered below the streets of Theed. This led to King Veruna (47-32 BBY)and (then) Senator Palpatine to build a great plasma mining and refining facility in the heart of the capital. The Banking Guild financed the construction. As the Naboo traditionally held an aversion to off world trade they agreed to have the powerful Trade Federation buy the plasma at a fixed price. The Federation however took advantage of the Naboo's lack of intersteller commercial experience and sold the plasma for greatly marked up prices - selling the Naboo short.

The Naboo protested and wished to be free of the contract. King Veruna, never wanting the trade agreement with the Federation in the first place, sensed the upcoming military conflict. Veruna expanded the role of the Space Fighter Corps (a division of the RSF) and had the N-1 starfighter squadron organized. Theed Hanger was built next to the refining station to house the new military forces. This move was unpopular on Naboo and with Senator Palpatine as these precautions were preceived as provocative overture. With the people and the senator unhappy with his military expansion, Veruna was forced to abdicate in favor of Padme Naberrie (who took the formal name Amidala). Later, Veruna would be assasinated while in exile. Padme Naberrie became Queen with the promise to end the conflict without violence.

Once in power Queen Amidala opened negotiations with the Trade Federation. However the Federation was scandalized by Naboo's resistance to its authority, which conincided with a Galactic Republic Senate tax on interstellar trade. Both actions was perceived by Federation leadership as a threat to their commercial interests and power. The Federation answered with a military blockade of Naboo, with the aim of forcing Naboo into subservience and to hopefully intimidate the Senate into repealing the taxation measure. The Federation leadership was secretly advised, and manipulated, by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

Queen Amidala sent for Galactic Republic mediation to end the conflict and the Republic sent Jedi Knights as ambassadors. Their mediation was unsuccessful as the Federation at that moment launched their invasion of Naboo. Naboo fell quickly. Though they had a powerful Space Fighter Corps (King Veruna's true legacy), the Royal Advisory Council held off action until all negotiations failed. The Naboo government and citizens were captured and were to be imprisoned in detention camps outside the cities. Eventually rescued by the Jedi Knights, Queen Amidala left Naboo to personally plea for aid in the Galactic Senate. Captain Panaka and others were to organize a resistance movement in the mean time.

Once on Coruscant Queen Amidala addressed the senate. The Federation had powerful and rich allies, and all the Queen could do was demand for a "vote of no-confidence" in the senate leadership. In this she hoped to force a change for a more favorable chancellorship. The Queen returned to her homeworld to lead the resistance herself. Once home Padme Amidala sought the aid of the reclusive Gungans, pleading for joint action against a common enemy. The Gungans agreed to an alliance and led an army against the Federation's mechanical forces. Captian Panaka and the RSF were able to organize the Space Fighter Corps to their fighters, and launch a last effort against the Federation capital ships. Ultimately the Naboo-Gungan Alliance was able to defeat the Federation. For her heroic effort the Naboo wished to alter the constitution alowing for Padme Amidala, and possibly her heirs, to reign for life. Padme Amidala declined the honor.

After the Federation occupation Padme Amidala abdicated in favor of Queen Jamilla (24-20 BBY). Jamilla asked for Padme Amidala to contine on serving Naboo as Senator. Padme Amidala "couldn't refuse the Queen", and returned to politics after a brief respite. Jar Jar Binks was also appointed as the alternate Senator, becoming the first gungan to be represented off Naboo.

Galactic Republic Senate politics was a new forum for Padme Amidala. Though many on Naboo and in the Galactic Senate wished for a centralized executive, Padme Amidala voted again and again against the Military Creation Act (which allowed for the Senate to raise a standing military to serve at the discreation of the Chancellor of the Senate). Padme Amidala however was out manouvered and the senate voted to create a standing military. In the mean time Palpatine, a Naboo himself, successfully became the Chancellor of the Republic, and his hard-line stances were generally suported by a Naboo still rebuilding after occupation. During the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems (including the Trade Federation) launched an unsuccessful campaign of invasion and conquest against Naboo.

In years to come, Naboo would generally support the positions of Chancellor and later Emperor Palpatine, including with the establishment of the Empire. Many Naboo would serve in the Imperial Services, and Captain Panaka would become an aide to the Emperor, and later ascend to the rank of Moff of the Chommell Sector.

Popular Queen Kylantha would reign throughout the Imperial years. Kylantha appointed Padme Amidala's niece, Pooja Naberrie, to the Imperial Senate. There Pooja would be a contemporary of her cousin, Princess Leia of Alderaan. Unfortunately they would never know of each other's biological relationship. Kylantha was not a supporter of the old Republic, but neither was she an Imperial proponent. Kylantha refused to alter the democratic structure of the Naboo constitution, though she would reign for a much longer span of years then prior rulers (it is unknown if she became Queen for life). She is thought to secretly and privately distrust the Empire in much the same way as Veruna and Padme Amidala did of the Federation, but does not want a return of the old Republic. Publicly, she maintained the status quo during the Empire's reign.

In the 2004 DVD Special Edition version of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi when the Emperor's defeat and death at the Battle of Endor was announced to the galaxy, an additional celebration scene on Naboo was shown.

Names of state
Often when a Naboo enters into political life he or she adopts a 'Name of State", This name of state is used for public occasions and represents the honor and dignity of the office one chooses. Padme Naberrie adopted the name of Amidala. Palpatine is also thought to be a Name of State, though this is speculation (see Emperor)

Known monarchs of Naboo

 * King Narmele (c. 2,000 BBY)
 * Queen Yarm (reign unknown)
 * King Jafan (c. 532 BBY)
 * King Veruna (47 BBY - 32 BBY)
 * Queen Amidala (32 BBY - 24 BBY)
 * Queen Jamilla (24 BBY - 20 BBY)
 * Queen Kylantha (4 BBY - through-out the Empire years)

Known senators of Naboo

 * Senator Vidar Kim (? BBY - 52 BBY)
 * Senator Palpatine (52 BBY - 32 BBY)
 * Senator Padmé Amidala (24 BBY - 19 BBY)
 * Senator Pooja Naberrie (?? - Sometime during the Galactic Civil War)

Expanded Universe source materials

 * Inside the Worlds of Star Wars:Episode I, The Complete Guide To the Incredible Locations From the Phantom Menace by Kristin Lund. 2000. DK Publishers, INC.
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Visual Dictionary by David West Reynolds. 1999. DK Publishers, INC.
 * A Guide To the Star Wars Universe, Third Edition by Bill Slavisek. The Ballantine Publishing Group.
 * Prima's Official Strategy Guide: Star Wars Galaxies, an Empire Divided, 2003. Prima Games, a division of Random House, INC.
 * Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided in-game source material and Sony Online Entertainment.