The galaxy, as it is commonly referred to, is one but trillions of galaxies in the observable universe. Home to some over 400 billion estimated stars and over 3.2 billion habitable systems, everything orbits around a supermassive black hole at its heart.
There are four galactic arms that rotate around this black hole, with a total diameter from one arm-tip to its opposite at around 120,000 light-years.
For most of the Galaxy, previously under the Republic and still now under the Empire, the galaxy is mapped using the Galactic Standard Grid; a grid-network that ranges from D-2 to U-21. Maps of the galaxy further divides into multiple regions:
- The Deep Core. The innermost, most densely packed part of the galaxy. Very dangerous to navigate.
- The Core Worlds. Densely inhabited and located at the strategic ends of several major trade lanes, its planets are hubs of fashion, education, finance, and technology.
- The Colonies. Worlds directly colonized by the Core Worlds.
- The Inner Rim. When first settled, this region served as the galactic frontier for centuries. Now it is a prosperous part of the inner region of the galaxy.
- The Expansion Region. The current outward growth of colonies sponsored by the Core Worlds.
- The Mid Rim. A tranquil region of space somewhat disconnected from the Core Worlds. Unofficially considered a lawful extent of the Galactic Republic and Galactic Empire, but regularly spilled over and mingled with the Outer Rim.
- The Outer Rim. The largest region of the known galaxy, considered by the Core Worlds to be a lawless and strange reach. It is home to numerous organizations, syndicates, and far-reaching territories.
- The Unknown Regions and Wild Space. The Unknown Regions, and Wild Space out beyond it, are regions of the galaxy to which few safe routes are officially kept and catalogued. Hyperspace anomalies, gravity wells, and other handicaps -- as well as their sheer distance from the Core Worlds -- have made these places difficult to explore.