Paquin

[Roger]

Paquin
S/2038(P/2020(34Tauri(2020)C)02)03

Orbital Distance: 0.586 AU
Rotational Period: 5.28 Years
Surface Area: 351,592,099 km2 (68.9% that of Earth-That-Was)
Population: 200,000,000
Terraformed: 2415
Affiliation: Independent

Paquin is known by many as the "Gypsy Planet" for the large number of Romani that live there.  Paquin is also notable as one of the culture and entertainment capitals of the 'Verse.  Paquin also has a uniquely vivid visual spectacle as Heinlein rises and sets each day casting a rainbow of colors through the atmosphere.

The capital city Divantra in particular is known across the 'Verse for its massive and beautiful opera house which has been followed over the years by hundreds of other venues across the city and beyond.  Even the most rural parts of the planet are home to traveling circuses and carnivals.  In addition to the performing arts, Paquin is also home to a substantial visual art community of painters, sculptors, and the like.  There is an established base of writers and poets, and Paquin also has a major film studio.

Paquin is without question the cultural capital of the Border and Rim.  Although the Core is still the greatest leader overall, performers and artists head to Paquin to make it big and likewise average citizens often travel there merely to see the shows.  Paquin is also unique because it forms a bridge between the Core and the Rim cultures and entertainment circuits.  Core world performances often will only go so far as performing in Paquin, and Rim performances will never get to the Core unless they are first based from a prestigious Paquin theater.

Paquin is also known as a hot bed of crime whether because it goes hand-in-hand with entertainment and tourism, or perhaps the gypsy and carny stereotype is fulfilling itself.  Pickpocketing is by far the most common occurrence closely followed by street fraud, but there is also a large pirate presence operating from Paquin.

Paquin joined the Red Pact in 2571 and participated in the Red Pact War that soon followed.  However, after the war was brought to their soil, Paquin capitulated and left the Pact and is once again independent.