The Expansion Region, originally known as the Expanded Rim,[3][4] was located between the Inner Rim and the Mid Rim in the galaxy.
The region was an experiment in corporate-controlled worlds settled during the Galactic Republic's Great Manifest Period beginning in 20,000 BBY. Unrelenting exploitation by Corellian and Duros/Neimoidian corporate interests of the worlds of the Corellian Run had impoverished countless native species and contributed to environmental despoliation. Galactic colonization was forced to shift farther eastward towards the Perlemian Trade Route.[2]
Looking for untapped resource-rich worlds, the two galactic powerhouses Alsakan and Coruscant sponsored the exploration and settlement of the future Expansion Region. Competing economic interests between Alsakan and Coruscant led to the First Alsakan Conflict in 17,000 BBY which ended the economic boom of the Great Manifest period. Over the following millennia, the competing holdings of both worlds fought seventeen "Alsakan Conflicts" in the Region. The conflicts devastated many Alsakan colonies while slavery boomed due to the entry of Hutt, Trandoshan and Bothan slavers.[2]
Only the Corellian Run escaped the conflict due to the strong presence of Corellian military warships, which precipitated further colonization west of the Run. Gradually, the western portion on the region became a mixture of prosperous agrarian, industrial and trading worlds known collectively as the Trailing Sectors. The widespread prosperity of this region funded Coruscant's colonization of the Mid Rim worlds.[2]
The Brentaal League extended its hyperlanes into the Region in 4020 BBY. The last Alsakan Conflict ended in Coruscant's favor in 3017 BBY and sealed its monopoly over galactic colonization efforts in the ensuing period. For another millennium, the eastern Slice sectors recovered but were devastated by the New Sith Wars and the Candorian plague during the Draggulch Period (2000—1000 BBY). Many colonies were abandoned as the Republic retreated into the Core Worlds.[2]
Following the Ruusan Reformation, the Republic granted a conglomerate of powerful corporations known as the Expansionist Oligarchy control of the Outer Expansion Zone. These corporations exploited and profited heavily from the raw materials, metals and ores of many worlds. While profits were enormous for these corporations, the region was plagued by internal strife and disturbances. Inhabitants were oppressed while the corporations stripped entire stellar systems of all their resources. Because they controlled communications and transportation to, from, and across the region, very few people knew what was going on in the Expansion Region.[2]
With civil unrest spreading from system to system, the Republic eventually took control of the Region due to mounting pressure from its denizens by limiting or evicting corporate interests. Though most of those corporations moved on to the Corporate Sector in 490 BBY, Expansion Region worlds were still producers of raw materials and ores. However, most natural resources were exhausted.[2]
During the Imperial Period, the Galactic Empire attempted to revive the Slice sectors by developing several key regional centers like Gyndine, Bacrana and Cyrillia into depot stations for civilian and military fleets and encouraging colonization of surrounding systems by corporations and laborers. The Corporate Sector Authority also aided in the development of several subsectors and controlled the Enarc Run until the Battle of Endor.[2]
During the Galactic Civil War, the Rebel Alliance established several bases on depopulated systems. Following the withdrawal of Imperial forces to the Outer Rim Territories following the collapse of Operation Shadow Hand, the Alliance's successor state the New Republic tried rebuilding the region but was interrupted by the Yuuzhan Vong War. Though Yuuzhan Vong agents succeeded in stirring conflict between Osarian and Rhommamool along the Corellian Run, much of the region escaped the war.[2]
The Expansion Region was divided into a number of distinct sectors, which included:
- 77 Sectors[2]
- Alchenaut sector[5]
- Altier sector[5]
- Andirma sector[5]
- Annecy sector[6]
- Arc d'Stot sector[5]
- Askarian sector[5]
- Athallia sector[6]
- Authala sector[5]
- Axion sector[5]
- Baroli sector[5]
- Belasco sector[5]
- Bes Ber Bikade sector[5]
- Biivren sector[5]
- Boeus sector[5]
- Brak sector[5]
- Brevost sector[5]
- Cantons of Lahag[5]
- Carvandir sector[6]
- Charra sector[5]
- Chaykin sector[5]
- Chitarghar sector[5]
- Circarpous sector[5]
- Citlik sector[5]
- Corpheli sector[5]
- Couronne sector[5]
- Cyrillian Protectorate[5]
- Dalqan sector[5]
- Deadalis sector[5]
- Dentari sector[6]
- Dimean sector[5]
- Dona Laza sector[5]
- Drannik sector[5]
- Ehosiq sector[5]
- Epsi Collective[5]
- Extorin sector[5]
- Farstey sector[5]
- Fellwe sector[5]
- Ghost Nebula[5]
- Great Agash sector[5]
- Greater Plooriod sector[5]
- Hakartha sector[5]
- Hali sector[5]
- Hangshan sector[5]
- Har Worlds[5]
- Harron Marches[6]
- Hijoian Space[5]
- Hilo sector[5]
- Hocatar sector[5]
- Hythrope sector[5]
- Imberlin sector[5]
- Immalia sector[5]
- Immeria sector[5]
- Immerian Outback[5]
- Indra-su-Mar sector[5]
- Itopol sector[5]
- Jurzan sector[5]
- Kailion sector[5]
- Kira sector[5]
- Kossa sector[5]
- Locris sector[5]
- Lostar sector[5]
- Majoor sector[5]
- Maladi sector[6]
- Mbandamonte sector[5]
- Merthian sector[5]
- Mikaster sector[5]
- Mondress sector[5]
- Montitian Grant sector[5]
- Narvath sector[5]
- Neshei sector[6]
- Nojic sector[5]
- Noori sector[5]
- Null Zone[5]
- Nuon e Safyd sector[5]
- Oeiros sector[5]
- Ombakond sector[5]
- Palamut sector[5]
- Parcelus sector[5]
- Parnabe sector[5]
- Piryn Shar sector[5]
- Ploo sector[5]
- Prackla sector[5]
- Rocantor sector[5]
- Ryborean sector[1]
- Sarla sector[5]
- Sepan sector[5]
- Serathrace sector[6]
- Sumitra sector[5]
- Surron sector[5]
- Tacuni sector[5]
- Thaere sector[5]
- Thand sector[5]
- Thuldin's Grant sector[5]
- Tokamac sector[5]
- Tolemses sector[5]
- Trailing Grant sector[5]
- Trans-Jardeen sector[5]
- Treffani sector[5]
- Tregillis sector[5]
- Trestis sector[5]
- Tynna sector[5]
- Vardoss sector[5]
- Vatha sector[5]
- Vensensor sector[5]
- Venzeiia sector[5]
- Vulcusion sector[5]
- Woostri sector[5]
- Yataga sector[5]
- Zarracina sector[5]
According to an email from Jason Fry, the Essential Atlas Online Companion's next update would feature a sector map of the Expansion Region. Such an update eventually occurred in late October of 2012.
- Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition
- Dark Empire Sourcebook
- Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook
- "Recon & Report: The Journey to Coruscant" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 2
- TIE Fighter: The Official Strategy Guide (Picture only)
- Galaxy Guide 11: Criminal Organizations
- Flashpoint! Brak Sector
- "Smuggler's Log" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 7
- "The Yard of Opportunity" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 8
- "Recon & Report: The Journey to Coruscant" — The Best of the Star Wars Adventure Journal, Issues 1-4
- TIE Fighter Collector's CD-ROM: The Official Strategy Guide (Picture only)
- Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded
- Tales of the Jedi Companion
- Pirates & Privateers
- The Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- Platt's Smugglers Guide
- "The Draw" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 15 ("Vernet System Summary" capsule)
- Alien Encounters
- Living Force Campaign Guide
- Alien Anthology
- "Rescued Aliens: Swamp Slug and Stone Mite" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Starships of the Galaxy
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 11 (PLA7, Planets of the Inner Rim)
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 13 (MED4, FX Medical Assistant)
- "Arms & Equipment Guide Extras!" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Galaxy map poster — Star Wars Adventures Magazine 12
- Ultimate Adversaries
- Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- The New Essential Chronology
- "Planet Hoppers: Cathar" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji on Hyperspace (article) (content obsolete and backup link not available)
- The Essential Atlas
- Star Wars: The Essential Atlas Online Companion on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
- Galaxy of Intrigue
- The Written Word on Hyperspace (article) (content obsolete and backup link not available)
- The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force
- The Essential Guide to Warfare
- Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Updated and Expanded
- Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Core Rulebook
- Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare Author's Cut — The Celestials on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
- Enter the Unknown
- Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare Author's Cut, Part 4: The Rise of the Republic on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
- Suns of Fortune
- Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare Author's Cut, Part 6: Showdown at Naboo on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
- Umbarans in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Star Wars: Age of Rebellion Core Rulebook
- Far Horizons
- Strongholds of Resistance
- Keeping the Peace
- Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition — TIE/in Interceptor Expansion Pack (Card: Predator) (Picture only)