A new book from Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering explains how the Star Wars planet at the heart of the Galaxys Edge themed land in Disneyland fits into the vast universe of a galaxy far, far away.

The new Travelers Guide to Batuu serves as an in-world travel guide to the Black Spire Outpost village on the Star Wars planet of Batuu, the setting for the 14-acre lands at Disneyland in Anaheim and Disneys Hollywood Studios in Florida.

Disneyland remains closed until further notice amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Disneys Hollywood Studios in Florida home to Batuu East is set to reopen on Tuesday, July 15.

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The backstory and the residents of Black Spire Outpost and Batuu help frame the adventures that play out in Star Wars: Galaxys Edge. Delving deeper into the geography and history of the planet in the Travelers Guide to Batuu helps peel back additional layers in Galaxys Edge and offers hints at stories yet to be told in the Star Wars themed lands.

A galactic map in the Travelers Guide to Batuu places the Galaxys Edge planet on the western reaches of the outer rim of the fictional Star Wars universe.

It is precisely this location that has shaped the planets history, according to Travelers Guide to Batuu. Before advanced hyperspace capabilities, Batuus position made it a bustling fueling stop for ships heading into Wild Space. With the advances in technology and well-charted hyperlanes, most modern travelers choose to bypass Batuu, resulting in the planet becoming a crossroads for adventurers and a haven for those who prefer life in the shadows.

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Black Spire Outpost the planets small but most populous settlement sits in the Surabat River Valley near the neighboring villages of Galma, Surabat and Peka.

Galma is a short shuttle ride from Black Spire Outpost.

To many it feels undeveloped as most of the structures here have been scavenged and repurposed, according to Travelers Guide to Batuu. Broken-down speeders and ships serve as homes and workshops for the resourceful mechanics who live here today.

Galma is known as a haven for illegal podracing and the gambling that surrounds the outlawed sport.

These activities attract a criminal element and I do not recommend it for most off-worlders, according to the book. Gambling on these activities is a quick way to lose all your credits and you do not want to be in debt to anyone who frequents this district.

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The tiny town of Surabat offers few modern conveniences.

The hardy residents, though isolated, build sturdy homes that sit nestled against the base of the beautiful spires and mountains, according to Travelers Guide to Batuu. Weather here is more harsh than other parts of Batuu with strong winds throughout the year.

Like the rest of Batuu, Surabat is distinguished by the towering petrified spires that dot the landscape.

It remains a favorite jumping-off point for mountain hikers and thrill-seekers looking to climb the ancient spires, according to the book. Many who live here sustain themselves as lichen harvesters, bravely climbing the spires to collect valuable golden lichen.

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Peka is known for its simple huts and log cabins built from native trees.

I find the residents here welcoming and sociable to visitors, willing to share their modest, family-oriented lives with those who pass through, according to Travelers Guide to Batuu.

Peka residents survive off the land and the river that runs past the community.

Many work as fishermen and farmers, some even offering to take off-worlders on fishing excursions that let you catch and cook your own lunch on the banks of the flowing river, according to the book.

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Batuu is a short hyper-space hop to a number of nearby planets in the Star Wars galaxy.

For Star Wars fans, the forest moon of Endor from Return of the Jedi is likely the best-known destination in the Batuu region of the galaxy.

The lush forest planet of Takodana had been the perfect planet for a day trip before Maz Kanatas castle was destroyed in The Force Awakens.

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A short commute to Bakura offers the closest big city to Batuu. Mokivj is known for its beautiful sunsets and ten moons, but catastrophic lava flows have devastated the planet.

The unfortunately named Gannaria is a refuge for smugglers involved in the illegal spice trade. The mountainous planet of Rattatak is home to warlords and gladiatorial societies.

Yakorki attracts thousands each year for the annual Fungi Fest. High tides cover the white sand beaches of Zaddja each night. The remote planet of Umme is a haven for big-game safaris.

The new Travelers Guide to Batuu offers recommendations on where to eat, shop and sightsee during a visit to Galaxys Edge while providing backstories for the characters and locations in the Star Wars themed land.

The Travelers Guide to Batuu is ostensibly penned by Eloc Throno, a galactic historian and travel writer who has also written guides to Tatooine, Mustafar and other Star Wars destinations. The book also credits Lucasfilm creative executives Pablo Hidalgo and Matt Martin as well as Walt Disney Imagineering managing story editor Margaret Kerrison who all had a hand in developing the backstory for Galaxys Edge.

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How Disneylands Galaxys Edge fits into the Star Wars universe - OCRegister