Barkol

Diameter: 15,608 km
Terrain: urban, terrestrial
Population: 20 billion
Native species: Begalan

    Barkol or Rekol was one of the first planets to join the Federation after its founding in 2161. Barkol was the capital world of the Rekol Republic. It orbited the star Seres (Mu Ara) mere light years away from the Romulan Neutral zone. Barkol was the fourth planet in it's system. Barkol was orbited by 5 moons, which were typically referred to by the names of ancient harfaj gods.

    The planet was colonized and seeded by the Ancient Humanoids long ago. The Ancient Humanoids called the planet Leret and built a large trading colony, which has long since been erased from the surface of the planet. Traces of the ancient technology still exised by the time Barkol reached warp capability in 1865 CE; The begalans had reverse engineered unearthed warp technology.

    The planet was sent into an ice age 600 thousand years ago by a massive volcanic eruption. Around this time Begalan civilization was beginning to develop on the Harfaj continent. They were centered around the massive obelisks left by the Preservers. In the year 4000 BC the Begalans had already dispersed from Harfaj after a prolonged drought. They were grouped into 10 different tribes, each led by an Envoy (someone who made contact with the core of an obelesik). In 1000 BC nomadic groups from the Gonjo continent to the north, left to escape persecution from Feng Hua Empire. They travelled across the Nua Ocean settling on various islands and being pushed out before reaching the Cedrat and Berdean continents. At the same time the Vitarian Republic was forming just north of Harfaj. Vitarians had developed after the fall of the city states. The Vitarians colonised the Berdean continent to the west in 500 BC. The Coldians colonised the Cerdat Continent in 400 BC engaging in conflict with the previous settlers. In 300 CE Begalan civilization had developed past steam technology. At that time the construction on The Hundburg had began. In 360 CE, a group of rogue vulcans known as the Debrune invaded Barkol, destroying the major governments on Barkol. A group of intrepid resistance members excavated weaponry from the Rehaja desert and drove the Debrune off in 400 CE.
   
    In 500 CE The planet entered an era of nuclear technology. The planet was still in chaos after the invasion. The Hundburg had been finished, but was completely blocked off from the rest of the world by a wall. Outside the Hundburg, people struggled to rebuild as they staved of Romulans and pirates. Eventually a man known as the Uniter helped bring order and founded the Republic.

    Barkol's capital and largest city was The Hundburg, massive megapolis located on the Cedrat continent. The second largest city, Jen-Wa City, was located in the I'nua archipelago. Barkol's shipyards were located in the Rehaja desert. The Berdea continent located south of Cedrat, was the location of many ancient cultural centers. There was no natural ice sheets or glaciers on Barkol, and snow was almost unheard of, except in the mountains. The language used in Barkol politics was Kalian. Five other languages were spoken by the population, however Kalian was spoken by all.