New Sidon

New Sidon is a Terran core world significant for being the first human extrasolar colony. It has the second largest population in the Federation, only surpassed by Earth itself. It is a major commercial and education center in the Federation. New Sidon is administered by the Republic of New Sidon. 
The first human scientific ships were adtonished by the resemblances between Earth and New Sidon when they first discovered it. The planets shared a similar mass, similar atmosphere and most importantly it hosted life which in its fundamental structure is nearly identical to Terran life.
As FTL progressed very rapidly and enthusiasm for discovery was at an all time high, it was rapidly decided the planrt would be settled. The first shuttle to dock to the colony ship was primarily populated with colonists from the Levant, and so it was decided the planet would be given a Phoenician name, as the Custodian had wished before his death that any extrasolar colonies be given names from ancient history. The first settlers arrived in 2201. Robots, scientists and explorers had been already deployed over the previous years for short missions to do research and build up infrastructure for the colonists. The first city was called Aranpor. The population rapidly grew as masses from Earth and Mars flocked to the planet as it became clear it was a near-paradise, with immense individual opportunity. The Terran government, sensing things were getting out of its control formed the Provisional Administration of Colonies as part of the Terran State Corporation in 2203. In 2223 the PAC ceded control of New Sidon to its own commonwealth as the population reached 1.3 million. In following years, the local headquarters of the TSC, Bridgehead outgrew Aranpor and became the capital of the planet and system in 2232.
Today New Sidon is one of the richest and most economically developed planets in the Federation. Unlike most other commonwealths which are forced to meet a certain industrial part of GDP, New Sidon has been exempt of this. This has resulted in the planets running a services oriented economy, heavily relying on commerce and tourism to sustain itself. New Sidon is also a major transit hub, as all ships that go to the Sol system have to pass through Alpha Centauri. New Sidon hosts Alpha Centauri's stellar community in perpetuity since 2536.