LoS: Terra

This is an article related to the science fiction role play setting Legacy of Sol.

Terra

Planet Profile

Physical Characteristics

Adjectives : Terran

Aphelion : 152 098 232 km or 1.016 713 88 AU [1]

Periphelion : 147 098 290 km or 0.983 291 34 AU

Orbital Period : 365 terran days or 1 Julian years [2]

Length of Day : 1 terran day

Satellites :
- 1 natural satellite ( Luna)
- 1522 operational artificial satellites
- 15 000 pieces of debris over 10 cm in size

Volume : 1.083 21 × 10^12 km

Mass : 5.972 19 × 10^24 kg

Surface Gravity : 0.38 g [3]

Surface Temperature : −89.2 °C to 56.7 °C

Surface Pressure : 101.325 kPa

Composition : Largely composed of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (20%)

Territorial Characteristics

Interplanetary State : Union of Democratic Nations

Capital : New Berlin

Demonym : Terran

Government : Federal parliamentary constitutional republic (UDN)
- President : Walter Brown

Population : 5 987 652 225 (as of 20/09/2256)

InterPlaNet TLD : .ter

"Earth gave us life and now it is time to give back to it. We can only hope it isn't too late." - Walter Brown

"Terra" [4], also commonly referred to as Earth or Gaia, is the third planet from the Sun and the largest terrestrial planet in the Solar System. Home of the human race, it is unique in not only the Solar System, but across much of the known Milky Way. With an ozone layer and a planetary magnetic field, the planet blocks the most life-threatening parts of the Sun's radiation, as well as stemming radiation carried by the solar wind. Because of this, and the fact that 70% of its surface is covered by water, has allowed life to persist. With roughly six billion human beings and over 8.5 million different species of animals living on its surface, Terra has developed a very sensitive ecosystem that deteriorated rapidly since humanity began its industrialization. Near the end of the Third World War, ecological damage and the resultant climate changes had almost reached a point of no return. However, with the advent of new technology and planning with greater foresight, the planet has since recovered significantly, with some of the damage repaired artificially by corporate-sponsored projects.

Like other planets in the system, Terra interacts gravitationally with other objects such as the Moon and the Sun. With a steady orbit around the star, Terra continues to serve as the baseline for much of present day society, with interplanetary timekeeping using terran days as its base and most colonial opportunities compared to Earth for their feasibility and value. Beyond the Moon, a mass of man-made satellites orbit the planet. While quite a few were destroyed during the Third World War, they and their debris have been largely cleaned up. Several colonies also exist in close orbit, such as Genesis and Samsara. Chief among the artificial bodies is Unity Station, which serves as the primary highport for any travelers visiting Terra. Truly massive, it dwarfs all other ports surrounding the blue planet, despite the fact that they are far from diminutive in their own right.

Terra's surface is home to the largest concentration of human beings in the Solar System, as well as the greatest diversity in wildlife and vegetation. Not counting cultures and forms of society that have developed organically in the colonies over time, one can still find every major culture and ethnic race on Earth. While still recognizable to people from centuries earlier, Earth has changed significantly due to technological advances. Politically, the planet is also very different, with some nations having coalesced into larger wholes, while others have splintered into tinier factions. Almost all stand united under the banner of the UDN, with the exceptions in poor standing with the rest of the world for their choice.

While Mars is commonly considered to be the shield of Terra, the home of humanity is far from undefended. The UDN's flagship stands at the helm of a large fleet that is permanently stationed near Terra, while patrols are plentiful. Listening posts dot the immediate vicinity and a large number of military space stations oversee the security of terran space. Most nations on Terra's surface tend to supply their own troops for their security and peacekeeping, but several bases across Earth's surface are entirely composed of UDN mechanized infantry and mechanized armors and can be deployed in a moment's notice to settle disputes between members.

Despite the splintering that has taken place in the Solar System, with the rise of the CIC and the Triton Empire, Terra maintains a special place in the hearts and public eye of most individuals. While animosity between factions exists, few have any desire to scorch the surface of a planet that represents what humanity is capable of doing if they work together; the UDN's initial ideal. The cultural, economical and political influence of Terra is incalculable.

History

More so than any other planet in the Solar System, Terra's past - which refers to both the planet and the life found on its surface - has been the target of extensive study and research for many centuries of recorded history. Fascination for the origin, evolution and potential future of the planet has been a constant throughout humanity's development and new discoveries continue to be made even today. The most recent estimations set the formation of the planet by accretion at roughly 4.5 billion years ago. This primordial Earth was formed alongside the other bodies in tandem with the Sun. The assembly of Terra from gas, ice grains and dust was followed shortly thereafter by the Moon. However, the formation of the planet's sole satellite remains a topic of debate even to this day.

Terra's atmosphere and oceans were formed overtime through volcanic activity and outgassing that included all-important water vapor. As more time passed, a crust formed when the molten outer layer of Earth cooled to form a solid and subsequently, continents were formed by plate tectonics, a process driven by the continuous loss of heat from Earth's interior. Supercontinents were formed numerous times throughout the blue planet's history, but these have always broken apart again due to a number of circumstances. The development of photosynthesis following the appearance of self-replicating molecules, allowed the harvesting of the Sun's energy directly by life forms; which resulted in molecular oxygen to accumulate in the atmosphere. This, in turn, formed the protective ozone layer that would begin safeguarding life from harmful solar radiation. From this point on, life could evolve and eventually become the basis for human beings.

Since their emergence as the dominant species on the blue planet, humanity has left a significant footprint upon its surface and development. Technological advancements continually improved living conditions for human beings, which in turn significantly impacted life expectancy. With the average ages at time of death slowly reaching the high 70s and 80s, and with child death continually decreasing, the population spiked radically. This exponential trend was coupled with the need for food, water, space, comfort, power and entertainment for all of these people. Naturally, nowhere near all needs were met for every human being, but even the minority that had the luxury of residing in countries and cities that could provide for them began to exert more and more influence on the environment around them.

By the end of the 20th century, over six billion people inhabited the blue planet and a rich history had been documented of both the highs and lows of the species as a whole. Disaster, war, progress, achievement and moments of cooperation range in the innumerable, and all led up to the eventual formation of the UDN which, for the first time in human history, formed a unified front for the race's ambition. But, humanity had also left negative marks on the planet. The use of non-renewable resources, the wasteful behavior of many and ever-growing need for space and food have endangered many biomes and species of animals. By the mid 21st century, however, society and government had progressed to a more preservative stance, where the conservation of Terra became an important issue. New forms of energy, better urban planning and expansion into outer space has been a veritable boon to Terra and the blue planet has slowly regained its stable beauty.

Today, Terra stands as the center of the Solar System from humanity's point of view. All roads lead to the planet, and despite several exodi towards the colonies and perceived greener pastures, the impact the planet has on interplanetary society is truly beyond measure. Despite the blemishes on the chest of the UDN, which has become the de facto, sole ruler of the planet, Terra itself is still viewed in nothing but the best of lights. Those for or neutral towards the Union deem it a beacon of mankind's past, present and future, while protractors of the Union wish to reclaim it and restore it to what it should be. Different reasons, but the same goal of preserving it's sometimes reverent status.

Geography

The surface of Earth varies greatly from place to place. Whereas the properties of the other terrestrial planets in the Solar System are fairly easily summarized, the sheer breadth of differences depending on location make it difficult to do so for Terra. Just like the life found on its surface, Terra seems to thrive in diversity. Roughly 70% of the planet is covered by water, with its depths hiding wondrous geological features such as globe-spanning ridges, undersea volcanoes, oceanic plateaus and abyssal plains. The remaining 29.2% not covered by water consists of plains, plateaus, mountains, deserts and other landforms. Tectonics and erosion cause constant changing to the planetary surface over tremendously long periods of time, a feature not as clearly visible on other planets or simply entirely absent. A logical division into the Northern and Southern hemispheres, centered on the poles is complemented by an arbitrary one that divides it into Eastern and Western hemispheres. Further divisions are based traditionally on the presence of seven continents and various seas.

Earth's unique atmosphere is one of the primary factors that contributed to the emergence and sustenance of life on its surface. It is Earth's biosphere that significantly altered the atmosphere to do so. Photosynthesis by plants aided in composing the primarily nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere of today. This change allowed organisms to survive and evolve, while also forming the ozone layer which protects the surface of the blue planet from ultraviolet solar radiation. Other atmospheric functions that have proven vital to sustaining life include transporting water vapor, providing useful gases, causing small meteors to burn up before they impact, and moderating temperature to generally tolerable levels. The latter is known as the greenhouse effect, something that run rampant on planets such as Venus. But, with the perfect balance of greenhouse gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone in the atmosphere, heat is retained and the average surface temperature rises from levels that would have likely not supported the development of life.

Ever since the industrial age, the Earth's atmosphere had been suffering from additional pollution that it could not recover from unaided. This effect reached its peak near the end of the Third World War, after which drastic measures were taken to try and recover. It was only until roughly the mid 22nd century that Earth is considered to have recovered to a stable level, and temperatures and climate no longer spike like they did in years prior.

To further protect from the potentially lethal solar winds, the Earth possesses a magnetic field that is generated in the core. The field extends outwards from that core, through the mantle and up to Terra's surface, where it forms a dipole shape; with said poles roughly corresponding to the geographical poles of the planet. The extent of this field in space, as it stretches with the orbit of the planet itself, defines the magnetosphere. This magnetosphere protects the planet from the charged particles of the solar wind and cosmic rays that would otherwise have stripped away the upper atmosphere, including the ozone layer, which normally protects Terra from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Terra's biosphere is equally varied as its surface features, with biomes defining broad categories of similar plants and animals. These biomes range anywhere from polar deserts and tundras, to arid deserts and dry steppes. The more temperate biomes such as broadleaf forests and grass savannas are generally considered more appropriate for human life, but mankind has persisted in nearly all conditions that can be found on the planet's surface. Each biome has its own properties (weather, wild- and plantlife, etc.) and their species diversity tends to fluctuate depending on the biome in question. Terra also provides an abundance of natural resources, both renewable and limited. Among the biological products produced by Earth's biosphere are many that are useful for humans, such as food, wood, pharmaceuticals, oxygen, and the recycling of many forms of organic waste.

Furthermore, large deposits of non-renewable fossil fuels - consisting of coal, petroleum and natural gas - have been located in the planet's crust. With the rise of fusion reactors and other forms of energy, however, these fuels have become largely obsolete and aren't generally sought after anymore. Mineral ore bodies also form concentrated sources for many metals and other useful elements that industry cannot survive without.

Since life first appeared on its surface, Terra has provided and for many thousands of years to come, it will continue to do so.

Political Geography

Africa

The Third World War's impact on Africa was considerable, as the continent became a patchwork of makeshift alliances that began to war with one another. Some perceived the Chinese aggression as a boon to their own political goals, while others received funding from the Russian Federation to keep dictators in place in exchange for public support or even troops. As a result, much of the region devolved into open conflict and several countries became the scenes of atrocious violations of human rights in the form of pillaging, child soldiers, mutilation, torture and rape by ambitious dictators and oppressive regimes. Other nations - most notably South-Africa - abstained from getting involved in the fighting directly in favor of offering moral and financial support only, while others still were victimized by aggressive neighbors while trying to remain neutral. This chaotic mess of conflicts lasted for several years longer than the Third World War, with the UN needing to step in on numerous occasions, despite the strained economies of member states.

By the time the continent stabilized, significant damage had been done to not only infrastructure and housing, but also to local natural resources. Some of the highest death tolls were also a direct result of the civil wars that wracked the most unstable of countries. Today, though, Africa is largely stable. The UDN keeps close tabs on the despots of certain African nations, while others have made great strides in moving away from third world status. The most war-ravaged countries are still struggling to make end's meet, however, and aid from the Union has annually and consistently gone down, making them some of the more vocal members for the rights to secede from the Union. However, a lack of political, economical and military power makes their voices tremendously diminutive and effortlessly ignored by the members at the helm of the interplanetary state.

During the course of the Third World War, the African Union also splintered tremendously, and while the institute persists, it only counts a total of twenty regular member states, and three suspended ones. The rest either stand alone or have formed political organizations for advanced and peaceful cooperation of their own.

Among the more prominent African nations in the UDN are Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria and Morocco.

Asia

Asia played a pivotal role during the Third World War, which resulted in significant changes to the political climate of the continent and some of its prominent countries. China, Russia and Japan in particular were large players all throughout the war, with the first two taking center stage as the initial instigators. Battles were fought all along the borders between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation, which resulted in the devastation of many cities and the destruction of large swaths of countryside. The fighting spread inward and advanced further when Europe and the US joined the fray in earnest. By the end of the conflict, many of the nations on the continent were economically crippled and public unrest was at an all time high for decades to come. During the initial rise of the UDN, the many Asian countries were heavily opposed to the growing influence the Union had on important policies of member states. As a result, it took far longer for the region to stabilize than its peers, with several cold and hot wars being fought against, among others, the Republic of China and the Russian Federation.

Despite this friction, several Asian countries have become prominent members of the Union, with countries like Japan having had a major influence on colonial expansion, and both China and Russia forfeiting a significant amount of military might towards the Union, willingly.

Republic of China

The reasons for the outbreak of the Third World War are complex, but that has never stopped many - especially in the Western world - from pointing at the People's Republic of China as the sole instigator of the conflict. It is fact that the world power began open aggression by invading certain neighboring countries, some of whom were Russian allies or part of their sphere of influence at the time. With tensions between the two having risen to a fever pitch in the decade leading up to the event, it is commonly accepted that China knew exactly what the Federation's response would have been. All-out war began and the nation's reputation would be tarnished for a century following as much of the loss of life was heaped onto them as their responsibility. While unfair, far too generalized and in ways outright incorrect, this label of villain was responsible for the many decades of friction that would exist between it and much of the rest of the world, even as its government was overthrown after a lengthy civil war. The new face of the Republic is one that is decidedly pro-Union, which is a strange turn of events when regarding the history leading up to current day. The nation foots some of the largest bills where the Union's standing army is concerned, and is largely responsible for providing the funds required for the early colonization missions towards Jupiter and Uranus. These military contributions have granted the republic an influential voice within the Union.

Russian Federation

The Russian Federation has gone through several periods of significant turmoil since the late stages of the Third World War. A gamble to curb the influence their Chinese rivals had within their sphere of influence backfired when they had bitten off more than they could chew. Their aggressive reaction caused heated fighting to occur between conventional armies all across Asia to the point where the United States were forced to enter the three-pronged conflict to help protect its allies in the region. When Europe joined the fray as well, the pressure on the Federation's economy reached the point where it collapsed in on itself. By the end of the Third World War, the country was in shambles, with its government having fallen and public rioting rampant across its territory. This period of unrest would proceed, with frequent ups and downs, for many years to follow. Much like China, the country has had a difficult relationship with the UDN, but unlike its former rival, they were incorporated into the fold much quicker. Today, the nation is a reluctant supporter of the UDN's governance of Terran and colonial affairs. A major power within the Union, their most significant contributions are military and colonial in nature, as many Russian immigrants took part in the first two exodi to populate colonial ventures into the Solar System.

Japan

Japan was one of the first countries not directly allied with either China or Russia to become involved in the Third World War. As a statement, they publicly condemned the actions of both warring nations and responded to feelings of being threatened by the super powers by bringing its military power to full activity to defend its waters and shores. When South Korea came under direct attack, they chose to act, a decision that would eventually see the United States drawn into the war as well. While Japan's soil saw little in the way of open warfare, the country's military was all but devastated by the end of the war. Japan was one of the first Asian countries to enter the Union, and was among those to receive financial aid from France. This stimulation was in no small part responsible for their rather expedited recovery. During the Colonization Rushes, Japan invested heavily in certain prospects that they deemed the most valuable. Local propaganda fueled a constant stream of immigrants that departed the island in favor of the colonies. This has resulted in many aspects of Japanese culture - as well as the ethnicity itself - spreading far and wide in the Solar System, but also gaining major influences in regions such as Uranus and Neptune; with Triton Empire society lending much from Japanese tradition.

Arabia

The Arabian Peninsula was the battleground of significant fighting over the course of the Third World War. Its oil assets were deemed invaluable, and once nations such as Saudi-Arabia and the Emirates began to deny the People's Republic of China their cut, it was inevitable that the far more powerful country would attempt to take the valuable resource by force. Most of the fighting in Arabia had been between Chinese and Russian forces, who had precious little respect for the homes and livelihoods of local civilians. As one of the major frontlines, the country was very destabilized and impoverished by the time the smoke cleared, but the need for oil following the conflict's end did stimulate its economy relatively quickly. In an effort to join hands and pool available resources, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qater, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen formed an economical union that ended up lasting far longer than expected. Within several decades, the union's cohesion and importance had grown to the point where the nations were beginning to assimilate into one another for financial security. With Saudi Arabia as its largest driving force, the coalesced region became known as the Confederation of Arabia.

Iran

Iran became involved in the Third World War from a relatively early stage. Viewing the conflict as an opportunity to increase their own sphere of influence, the country allied itself with China, which had been struggling with significant attacks on a large number of fronts. The Muslim nation had been expanding its military for several years by that point and rallied some of its neighboring allies to join forces. Surprisingly little combat occurred on Iranian soil, with most of their troops fighting at the German and Arab fronts. The nation remained relatively stable, despite significant losses by the end of the war. Today, Iran is a major voice in the UDN due to its economic stability and the fact that it de facto represents a large number of Middle Eastern nations and their interests. It is also one of the most vocal proponents for increased independence for member states and the decrease of Union authority over internal affairs. However, since its attempted uprisings in 2070, they have not made true any threats of violence and sedition.

Europe

Over the course of the Third World War, Europe was one of the continents that saw the least direct involvement of its territory. Most countries in western, northern and southern Europe never had frontlines pushed up close to it, with the notable exceptions of Germany and Italy. Having remained neutral longer than most during the conflict, when they did commit the battlefield, they showed a rare sense of unity that many still lament vanished relatively quickly in the aftermath. Some nations were left economically crippled and only recovered through the aid of the UDN and its ideals. Others had received structural damage due to bombardments from Chinese or Russian forces. Soon after the war's end, Europe was the only continent to recover fairly quickly and move on to become the first members of the UDN. Today, Europe is considered by many to be the primary face of humanity on Terra. Their initiatives have left them with tremendous political influence over the proceedings of the Union and the presidents have been almost exclusively elected from European nations such as the UK, Germany and France.

Wealthy, highly industrialized, stable and generally peaceful, they are outpaced on a military level only by the US and the Republic of China.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom were among the first to respond to the United States' call-to-arms to help defend against the battles that had spread to involve South Korea, among other American allies. As such, they were active throughout most of the conflict, the battles and subsequent deep strikes from enemy forces taking a large toll on the nation's economy and infrastructure. Today, the country has recovered entirely and has found new wealth in its patronage of a great deal of colonies and newer ventures. Still a monarchy, the Commonwealth has since been abolished, though the UK continues to hold sway over some of the former member states through political means and excellent relations. Overall, the UK is seen in a positive light by others as they had never displayed excessive force during the Third World War or other conflicts since, and are a voice of pragmatic peace within the UDN, neither being too pacifistic or too warmongering.

Germany

Germany gained tremendous respect over the course of the Third World War the moment they choose to enter the battle. Despite joining most of Europe in their neutrality, they had been preparing for Chinese and Russian aggression by militarizing heavily. With a strong economy, they managed to form a frontline that over the course of several years of intense fighting, was never overcome. The amount of German soldiers that lost their lives protecting much of the rest of western Europe has been recognized and while the vengeful streak they had gained as a result continues to turn heads, no one would question that the prosperity of Europe in the subsequent decades was due to their sacrifices. Today, Germany is one of the major voices within the UDN. Housing the terran capital of New Berlin, which had been originally created during a period where Berlin was contested, they have also spread significant parts of their culture across the Solar System.

France

France was one of the last greater European powers to join the war. Initially apprehensive because of its weaker military, dropping public opinion of the then-president due to his hesitation forced his hand. Over the course of the war, French soldiers were largely deployed in Africa and along the German front line. Having held back the longest, France was the most economically stable and healthy when the truce at Berlin was signed. Contrary to initial expectations, they did not take advantage of that position to dominate the political scene in Europe and instead went to great lengths to financially support some of the countries in the most dire of straights. Their animosity with Germany remained, despite France's popularity that turned them into a major voice within the UDN, as they did not supply that much aid to the reconstruction efforts there. The reasons are still sketchy, but this animosity was in no small part responsible for the disbanding of the European Union.

United Netherlands

Founded soon after the end of the war, the United Netherlands is the union of the former Netherlands, the dutch-speaking half of Belgium (Flanders) and a small part of Denmark. During the war, the Netherlands were quick to supply what troops they could to reinforce Germany's front line, which left them exposed from bombardments that cost the lives of a often neglected number of civilians. This led to the saying "Never anger a Dutchman", which is now generally applied to anyone hailing from the United Netherlands. When news of the death toll reached the front, fighting intensified continually, until aggression was forced to a halt. With the European Union disbanded soon after the truce was signed, Belgium splintered apart, leaving Flanders with the choice of independence or joining the Netherlands. With a devastated economy, the choice was quickly made and for the first time since the Middle Ages, the region was united. Today, the United Netherlands are one of the major voices within the UDN and are commonly thought of being the sword arm of Europe together with Germany, due to their growing, militant ways. The United Netherlands are also home to Savant Galactic Arms, one of the largest manufacturers of space vessels and mechanized armors in the Solar System.

Scandinavian Union

One of the primary victims of Chinese aggression, Scandinavia's borders with Russia saw a great deal of fighting and with the front line there almost being behind enemy lines from the perspective of the rest of Europe, they were primarily left to their own fate, with little to no reinforcements coming to their aid. While much of Scandinavia was never conquered during the war, Finland, Sweden and Norway were left economically crippled and poverty threatened to take more civilian lives than the actual fighting had. Left with few other options, the nations began to pool resources in the hopes of dealing with the most pressing issues, also receiving aid from France, who recognized the suffering they had gone through. After several decades, the countries had largely recovered and a sense of union had slowly grown, to the point where a temporary arrangement was made permanent. Later decades saw the inclusion of nations such as Denmark, Latvia and Estonia to the union. Today, they have retained their disliking for many of the other European nations, and generally take on a very diplomatic position within the UDN. They are most well-known for supporting colonist pleas for independence and publicly endorsing the CIC as a valid solution for the tensions. They did not approve of the Triton Empire's aggressive politics, however.

North America

North America's involvement in the Third World War was substantial, despite Canada staying their hand for a large majority of the conflict. Especially the US saw significant, direct combat and even some minor fighting off its shores. Frequent bombing runs and terrorist attacks caused more damage across the mainland than expected, and Canada was not spared in this, despite their non-aggressive declarations. Today, the continent remains unchanged where borders and politics are concerned. An abundance of production capability, population growth and money flow from at least fairly healthy economies and transform the continent into one of the primary spheres of UDN influence. Much like Europe, the continent is integral to the Union's power base, as the US and Canada have both traditionally been staunch supporters of many of its decisions.

United States of America

The United States of America joined the Third World War as the third party when the situation in Asia reached a fever pitch they could no longer ignore. During the first months, the nation - much like several European ones - continually attempted to broker peace and stabilize the situation. But, neither the Russian Federation or the People's Republic of China heeded them. After the raising of South Korea, and allies such as Japan and Israel being drawn into the fighting, the US felt its hands were tied, and openly declared war. The fighting was not kind to the nation. As the country that contributed the largest military force on the planet, they were also the ones who stood to lose the most. Fighting on foreign soil, with many allied and important economies reeling, they saw tremendous losses in life, material and wealth. By the end of the Third World War, the US turned inwards to try and deal with its expansive infrastructure that lacked the manpower and money to run as it did before. Today, the US is one of the major voices in the UDN. While no longer the sole super power in the West, if one considers Europe as a whole, it is still one of the largest military and economical contributors to the Union. Frequently have they identified themselves as proponents of forceful integration into the Union, having done so in cold and hot wars with the Russian Federation and Republic of China. As a result, their reputation is a mixed bag in the eyes of the world.

Canada

Canada was reluctant to join the fighting, as were many countries who did not have a personal stake in the fighting. But, when the US joined the fray, the country knew they were going to be called upon to make a stand in some capacity before too long. In the end, they declared war on both the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, though they rarely partook in any military action throughout the war. As a result, the nation was spared significant damage, even though they were still the target of occasional bombing and terrorist attacks. With the war over, Canada were quick to support Europe's reconstruction efforts and were among the first to join the UDN upon its founding. Over the years, they've been supporters of centralization towards the Union and are generally one of the nations least concerned with the ever-decreasing jurisdiction and authority of local government. They are viewed favorably for their growing, diplomatic expertise and their moderation when it comes to matters of colonial freedom.

Oceania

Oceania's involvement in the Third World War was among the most limited alongside most of South America. Most of the nations did not commit any troops to the war effort, and instead offered moral support where required. Overall though, they remained neutral, making the impact of the war relatively minor to them. Naturally, the destabilization elsewhere still affected the territory, and natural disasters in the years that followed were left to ravage with little in the way of humanitarian support from the UN or other political unions. Of these countries, only Australia truly committed troops, following the UK into the war and placing most of their armed forces under a unified command. They publicly condemned certain decisions made by all factions throughout the war and protests across the nation almost forced Australia to back out numerous times. Despite this, they remained in the war until its end when the Treaty of Berlin was signed.

Today, Oceania plays a relatively minor role in UDN politics and are known for keeping to themselves and focusing primarily on their homes on Terra as opposed to the colonial ambitions of some of their peers. However, a lot of citizens partook in the Second Terran Exodus, with many of them taking up residence on colonies around Jupiter.

South America

Much like those of Oceania, South American countries saw comparatively little involvement in the Third World War. Most of the countries remained neutral where military action was concerned, but did attempt to impose sanctions upon both the Russian Federation and the Republic of China by denying the import and export of goods for the benefit of their economies. Since those dependencies had never been overly tight to begin with, the impact was not considerable enough to truly make a difference. Where troops were considered, some of the countries were on a persistent high alert as the situation continued to degrade, and more and more countries were being drawn into the war. Some even declared war on one or more of the participants, but never took direct action, making the declarations more symbolic than anything else.

Today, the only South American nations to have significant influence on the course of the UDN are Brazil and Argentina, though their political footprint is still minor compared to countries such as the United States of America and the Republic of China.

Cities, Settlements and Landmarks

New Berlin

New Berlin, the most advanced city on Earth. Also showing the UDNAF Central Command building.

New Berlin is the capital of the UDN and thus, by extension, the capital of Terra. Founded on March 31st, 2021, the city was originally little more than a reinforced joining of local towns and villages, centered around a the headquarters for European war efforts at the frontlines. As Berlin had only recently become contested, it was deemed fitting for its name to reflect that Germany, as well as the rest of the Western world, was not going to be overrun that easily. Despite the division that raged at the time of the Third World War, New Berlin became a symbol of human unity in the years that followed the signing of the Treat of Berlin, and given the UDN's intent, it seemed only fitting for their council to hold their meetings in the expanding epicenter of the city. In the years that followed, the city continued to grow organically as the power of the Union did, quickly evolving from the small settlement it had been during the Third World War, to the most protected, most important and one of the largest cities on the face of the blue planet.

Today, with over four million inhabitants, New Berlin fills a number of roles. Housing Unity Tower, it is the location where the Council of Delegates - the de facto rulers of the UDN - meet to discuss the massive organization's direction. As such, the center of the city is littered with high-rising office buildings, elaborate embassies and enormous hotel complexes that serve to provide shelter, presence and space for the politicians, dignitaries, officials, ambassadors and wealth benefactors that have a direct stake in the UDN. Everyone from countries' governments to the CEOs of corporations have a vested interest in being close to the core of one of the major players in the Solar System, so they naturally gravitate towards, and invest in, the city as a whole. On top of that, UDNAF Central Command is also present within the limits of the city, which in turn supplies it with some of the most powerful and expansive land-based defense grids in the Solar System to ward of invaders from the ground and space.

But, New Berlin is not only for the UDN. Before overwhelming corporate influences, before careful urban planning, before Unity Tower, there were still people residing there. A mix of German refugees from the front tried to make a home for themselves there, and many did not leave after the war's end. Furthermore, with the presence of the UDN's central seat of power came limitless job opportunities for quite literally every sector and educational level. This abundance of work, sometimes with tremendous options for promotion and advancement, drew in people from across the globe as New Berlin was transformed into the first, completely multi-cultural city in the world. With people from all walks or life and all ethnicities coming together, the city has become symbolic for the lofty claims of the UDN, even if trouble still stalks the streets as much as one would expect.

Living in New Berlin means being exposed to cultures from around the world. As such, it has become a melting pot of traditions, culinary delights and customs, with none making clear headway over another. The UDNAF police and local German law enforcement keep the streets safe, and the amount of money flowing into the metropolis allow for its high level of upkeep; which subsequently makes New Berlin one of the cleanest and most developed cities in the Solar System. It has consistently been deemed one of the best places to live - even if it is often viewed through rose-tinted glasses - and with an abundance of roads, highways, skyways, subways, a bustling airport and massive lowport, few people want for more means of transportation in, around and out of the city. Finally, the standard of living itself is also one of the highest in the Solar System. Poverty is still an unavoidable element of urban life, as ghettos and relatively poor suburban districts are a part of New Berlin. Overall, though, a substantial percentage of the people living in New Berlin want for little.

Important Locations

The following list identifies some of the most important locations in New Berlin:

Unity Tower: The primary seat of government of the UDN. Located in the of New Berlin.
UDNAF Central Command: The primary headquarters for the Union of Democratic Nations Armed Forces. Located near the harbor complex in the north.
Presidential Mansion: The highly secured home of the UDN president. Located further south from Unity Tower.
USIS Headquarters: The primary headquarters for the Union Secret Intelligence Service. Located near Unity Tower.
Garcia Interplanetary Spaceport: Largest lowport on Terra; named after influential economist Anthony Garcia. Located west, just outside city limits.
Clara Shmidt International Airport: New Berlin airport; named after the first, female UDN president. Located south of Garcia Interplanetary Spaceport.
Percy Atkinson Monument: Monument in honor of the first UDN president. Located outside Unity Tower.
Earl Jackson Memorial: Monument in honor of the UDN president who served his terms during the First Independence War. Located slightly south of Unity Tower.
The Raleigh Wartime Memorial: Monument named after UDN admiral Deccard Raleigh, in memory of the lives lost during the Second Independence War. Located down Unity Avenue to the east of Unity Tower.
Humanity's Museum of Colonization: The largest museum on the rise of the UDN and the expansion of humanity into outer space.
The Blue Planet Inn: Massive hotel complex that caters to visitors from middle-class to the most wealthy. Located near the center of New Berlin.

Satellites

Moon

Main article: Luna

Unity Station

Main article: Unity Station

Genesis Colony

Main article: Genesis Colony

Samsara Colony

Main article: Samsara Colony

Ark Colony

Main article: Ark Colony

Other Satellites

Other artificial satellites in orbit around Terra are of lesser note, but the following list offers identification to some:

Aether Colony: Residential, orbital space colony.
Caelus Colony: Residential, orbital space colony.
Alcyon: UDNAF orbital space fortress.
Porphyr: UDNAF orbital space fortress.

Economy

Terra is the economical center of the Solar System. From the early days of colonial expansion all the way to the end of the First Independence War, every major influx of goods and money was geared towards Earth and its support. Colonies were planned in such a manner that they would first strive for enough production to become self-sufficient (where possible), before transporting any additional yield to new projects or feeding it back to Terra to keep the industrial gears grinding away. While important centers of commerce did arise across the Solar System, such as Ganymede and Titan, they were still subservient and heavily dependent on Earth in some way, shape or form. The UDN had always intended to keep it this way through applying significant pressure to colonies to keep performance high. One of the major reasons for the many pleas for more independence in colonial governing, this centralization was almost entirely for the betterment of the blue planets and its governments. As a result, Terra grew wealthy from the influx of goods, whereas many colonies struggled to keep up their standard of living, which had originally been quite high, all things considered.

But, with the rise of the CIC, economy organically changed to account for different aims and goals. Colonies, even within the UDN, began to receive more liberties and multiple centers of trade and production began to arise to rival Earth. While places such as Titan have indeed evolved into corporate paradises, they do still pale in comparison to the center of the Solar System. Even today, most funds within the UDN flow inward and are naturally drawn away from the further reaches, and even the CIC and the Triton Empire do not ignore the lucrative potential of keeping as many channels to Earth open as possible. As such, Terra is known for having access to just about any resource, any technology, any production capability and every consumer article on the market. It is notoriously difficult for competitors of the UDN to gain monopolies, though not impossible such as is the case in colonial construction techniques dominated by the CIC, or military MA and space vessel technology eagerly hoarded by the Triton Empire.

Because of this abundance, a lot of people on Terra are able to live with all the comforts possible. Compared to previous centuries, the number of people living below the appropriate poverty lines for their nations has decreased and while a golden age is out of the question, there is no doubt that the next best thing is reigning on Earth. But, it is not without its issues. While it benefits from its colonies, Terra itself has become complacent where local resources are concerned. Production can be hamstringed by cutting off the supply lines from the colonies, which would have immediate and devastating impacts on Terra's economy. While it can regain its balance and has reserves in excess, this issue has arisen twice during the Independence Wars and numerous times over the course of interplanetary expansion. These recessions tend to hit harder than they do elsewhere because of the living standards people are accustomed to, and it is not uncommon for public unrest to peak significantly.

Members of the Union also do not see equal slices of the colonial pie. There are many members states that struggle to get by. After centuries of being incorporated into the UDN, there is little chance of them being able to seek out independence, so they are locked in an economical union that can suck them dry of what little they have left. Especially African and Middle Eastern nations are notorious for having been forced into the UDN with precious little to show for it. But, even more economically powerful nations sometimes feel the sting of inequality, and despite a lower population across the Earth and lower numbers of poverty, there are still a significant amount of people that have little to their name. There are even several European nations - countries traditionally not viewed as struggling - that continue to waver, even from damage done all the way back to the Third World War.

All in all, Terra's economy is a healthy, booming one, with a nigh-constant growth curve that never tends to fall as much as it rose in the preceding years. Jobs are plentiful and the production capabilities are unmatched. Industry and research are well-funded, though suffer from often being too large and too monolithic for its own good. Essentially, Terra is a giant that, while undisturbed, is a veritable oasis. However, if pressured just right, it topples and falls harder than its humbler counterparts.

Demographics

Terra is home to nearly six billion people and, as the birthplace of humanity, it has the greatest variety of ethnicities and cultures in the Solar System. Despite the expansion into outer space which led to a number of exodi from the planet's surface, Terra is still leagues ahead of any other population center. This is a mixed blessing, as there are generally not enough resources to go around, and not everyone is able to get three meals a day and have a roof over their heads. Regardless, one cannot travel for several tens of kilometers without bumping into new traditions, habits or even languages and societies. Every nation has retained what makes them unique, even though the trend of melding and equalizing traditions continues to this day.

Despite the similarities to Earth from the 21st century, a lot has changed over the years where quality of life, or even lifestyle in general, is concerned. Advancements in technology have changed the face of society. The look and feel, as well as the intricate planning, development and construction of cities has changed to allow for traffic that now has a third dimension through the arrival of hover cars and other forms of transportation that take to the skies as well as the ground level. The advent of fusion reactors made conventional methods of power generation obsolete, removing elements such as wind turbines and nuclear power plants from the skyline. Industry itself was made cleaner and is more separate from daily lives. Cities tend to be constructed vertically to reduce their footprint, allowing for truly breathtaking sights of complex engineering.

There is little that people cannot find on Terra in some way, shape or form, provided they inhabit a first or second world country. With high standards of education, healthcare and economic stability, people tend to live long, productive lives and are generally happy with their residence. This, however, is the public face of the planet. Continents such as Africa, but also unexpected countries such as Spain, still struggle with rampant poverty and some nations are essentially on the brink of anarchy. The class divide is still very much in effect and while most colonists only know the poster that represents Earth in a picture perfect fashion, many skeptics claim the rising wealth in developed nations is the best way the government can have their population turn a blind eye to the needs of their neighbors.

Generally speaking, though, the overall demographics of Terra have changed little in the years since the Third World War. Regions historically known for their difficult progress remain such, while the more stable nations continue to grow and retain their position at the helm of development. It has been shown that in recent years, fewer Terrans leave the planet in favor of a life in the colonies than in the colonization rushes in decades prior. A natural consequence of the continued animosity and the dangers represented by opposing governments, it is expected to turn around again when a new generation comes along that did not witness the trials of the Independence Wars, and feels adventurous enough to seek out the stars. Until then, most seem to live and die on the blue planet, preferring the safety of its streets over the biased risks abroad. This, in turn, has in no small amount resulted in the perception that many Terrans are sheltered, naive and isolationist individuals. Suffice it to say, there is some truth to that perception.

Military

As the center of not only the Solar System, but also the seat of power of the UDN, it comes as no small surprise that the Union holds a vested interest in the protection of the blue planet. While Triton has been militarized to a greater degree in recent years, it was not so long ago that Terra was considered an impregnable fortress where invaders were concerned. Especially after the First Independence War, the UDNAF took its creed of standing for the defense of Earth extremely seriously. Today, Terra is protected by the largest fleets available to the UDNAF and is constantly under the watchful gaze of the capital ship of its armada which is technically under the command of the UDN president but practically helmed by a grand admiral. Beyond an abundance of state-of-the-art vessels, the planet's orbital region is also protected by a thick network of military outposts, listening posts and space stations, each of which are armed with manned and automated weapon systems that can be turned against any would-be aggressors.

The UDNAF's presence does not merely extend to space. Its orbital colonies and its holdings on the surface are home to a significant bulk of its standing army. With countless platoons of mechanized infantry and armors, the UDN stands ready to deal with any threat, both internal and external. This power has been turned against dissent within the Union numerous times, and while the troops lack the experience of those stationed on Mars, they are still armed with the finest gear money can buy and are drilled to near zealous levels of desire to safeguard their interplanetary state's homeland. They will fight tooth and nail to the last man and so far, Terra has avoided having to be so tested. While some would claim that means those defenses could be highly ineffectual, Union proponents would be quick to state that their reputation is in no small part responsible for staving off threats.

The UDNAF is not the only military organization active on and over Terra, however. Every nation on its surface has retained its standing army, and while most have been sized down through mergers with the UDN, these countries are still fully capable of defending themselves ably. Others even put their entire armed forces at the disposal of the Union, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and the United Netherlands. Beyond atomic nations, the corporations also have a vested interest in keeping their holdings and secrets safe from harm. While the primary directive of governmental armed forces is to protect and serve the people, companies are under no such restrictions. It is often underestimated just how much firepower some of the corporate giants can bring to bear when they feel threatened, and Terra has no shortage of private military contractors, mercenary companies and corporate militias willing to do that dirty work for a paycheck or the price of a merc ticket.

Terra is a military bastion overshadowed only by Mars and Triton, while it dominates both when purely considering the amount of manpower available on its surface. An actual invasion is usually considered an impossible task to see through to completion, as losses would be far too astronomical to consider. As such, it is the general consensus that the only way to topple Terra is to blockade it, control its orbital region and prohibit any aid from reaching. Such a protracted siege, however, has never been attempted and its people are confident that the blue planet will never fall to colonial invaders. While skeptics would claim otherwise, it is unlikely at this stage that they will be proven wrong.