United Federation of Planets

The **United Federation of Planets** is an interstellar state composed of 154 member states, colonies, protectorates, and other planetary governments unified under the goals of universal liberty, justice, equality, trade, exploration, scientific advancement, peace, and mutual protection. The most powerful state in local space, the Federation encompasses 10,000 light-years and is by far the largest state in the known Alpha and Beta Quadrants. The Federation, along with the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Star Empire, is one of the three traditional superpowers of known space. Unlike its traditional rivals who derive power from a single dominant species subjugating other races within the boundaries of their empire, the Federation's various Member States join willingly and are equals in the Federation's democratic society. For centuries, the Federation's capital city was Paris, Earth.

## History and specfics

### History

> *See main article: **Federation History***
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The Federation was formed on 12 August 2161, the successor to the Coalition of Planets.

The founding Member States of United Earth, the Confederacy of Vulcan, the Andorian Empire, the United Planets of Tellar, and the Alpha Centauri Concordium were subsequently joined by numerous other worlds to form one of the largest states in the galaxy.

By 2380, the Federation consisted of 155 Member States.

Alongside periods of peaceful relations and expansion, the Federation was also involved with numerous conflicts, some of the largest and most prolonged being with the Klingons in the 23rd century, and the Borg and the Dominion in the 24th century.

### Politics

*See also: **Federation Government***

The Federation is a representative republic, with an elected president as the head of the entire interstellar state. An election is held every four years, and a president may serve for an unlimited number of terms.

Political and direct administrative power is held within the Federation Council, which is composed of one councillor from every Member World. There is no limit as to how many terms a person may serve as councillor.

The Federation government has several executive departments whose heads form the Presidential Cabinet, who advise the president on their issues of jurisdiction and run their departments on a day-to-day basis. Cabinet members can have strong influence on Federation policy based upon their work with the president and the appropriate members of the Federation Council.

### Presidential Cabinet

* Department of Agriculture
* Department of Commerce
* Department of Defense
* Department of the Exterior
* Department of Housing
* Department of Interstellar Travel
* Federation Department of Justice
* Department of Science
* Department of Technology
* Department of Temporal Investigations
* Department of Travel
* Office of the Federation Security Advisor

### Groups and agencies

* Federation Bureau of Colonization
* Federation Bureau of Interplanetary Affairs
* Federation Diplomatic Corps
* Federation Grand Jury
* Federation Medical Council
* Federation Naval Patrol
* Federation Planetary Development Council
* Federation Science Council
* Federation Security
* Federation Starfleet
* Federation Army
* Federation Aerospace Force

## Symbols

Symbols of Federation patriotism include the Great Seal of the United Federation of Planets, which serves as the official emblem of the UFP. The Flag of the United Federation of Planets is also a prominent Federation symbol, often displayed at government buildings, official events, and at state and Starfleet funerals. The Anthem of the United Federation of Planets is the official musical composition of the UFP.

## Awards

As a government body, the Federation issues awards and medals for beneficial military, medical or exploratory service. While many of these are generally given to members of Starfleet, there are some that are for citizens in general. The constituent nation-states of the Federation also sometimes have their own similar awards. One such award that is given to members of Starfleet for victories in battle is the Andorian Battle Star which recognizes command officers who demonstrate superior tactical abilities.

## Culture

There is no official Federation religion, although members are free to practice their own religious and philosophical beliefs, as protected by the Guarantees contained in the Articles of the United Federation of Planets.

Every August 12, Federation citizens observe Federation Day, a patriotic holiday established in remembrance of the founding of the Federation.

## Language

*See main article: **Federation Standard***

## Territory

### Planets

*See the category for Federation worlds.*
* Earth
* Vulcan
* Andor
* Tellar
* Betazed
* Pacifica
* Beta Nirobi II
* Europa Nova

### Stars and systems

*See Federation stars and star systems and the category for Federation stars and star systems.*

## Conflicts

* Earth-Romulan War
* Earth-Kzin Wars
* Tholian expansionist programs
* Four Years War
* Klingon War
* Galen border conflicts
* Federation-Cardassian War
* Klingon War II
* Dominion War
* Klingon War III (2405-2410)
* Iconian War