The capital world of the Cardassian Union.
Cardassia Prime is the capital world of the Cardassian Union, a planet with a dry climate that has few natural resources. Despite this, it is the centre of an empire, with large cities, grand monuments and a government that controls the lives of its people. It is the political and cultural heart of Cardassian society.
The planet is closely tied to the story of the Cardassian military state and to the occupation of Bajor. Its poor resources led the Cardassians to expand, and the planet's rulers, including the Detapa Council and the military, rose to power as the empire grew. In the final stages of the Dominion War, the planet suffered terrible damage.
Cardassia Prime appears in many episodes of Deep Space Nine, particularly in the later seasons, where Gul Dukat, Legate Damar and Garak play important roles. The planet is bombarded by the Dominion after the Cardassians rebel against their former allies, and the loss of life is immense. The war ends with the planet in ruins, but with hope for its recovery.