6 Interesting Facts About Cloud City

A hidden gem high above, Cloud City is a marvelous feat of engineering and innovation, especially in the lore of George Lucas's Star Wars saga. Completely manmade and able to be suspended midair through an anti-gravity pod, Cloud City has its share of interesting factoids. Soaring in the Outer Rim, Cloud City may not get as much screen time as Tatooine or the Republic, but Cloud City deserves some recognition and attention in the Star Wars canon and universe.

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Starting with the basics, Cloud City was an entirely man-made tibanna gas mining colony staff hovering over the gas giant Bespin, occupied by millions of workers, tourists, and support staff. What made Bespin so important was their taking and refining the tibanna gas; the gas used in hyperdrives, weapons, and repulsorlifts. Beyond the City being a mining hotspot for a majority of weapons, Cloud City holds its share of surprises and connection to history.

1. Cloud City Received Its Name By Always Being Surrounded By Clouds

Yes. In hindsight this is obvious.

2. There Is A Controlled Environment In The City

Due to its suspension in the air, one would think Cloud City would be at the mercy of the weather above; harsh winters, rains, a heat coming directly from the cloudy source. Luckily, the atmosphere of Cloud City is comprised mostly of oxygen and acceptable levels of gravity and temperature. Thus, the overall climate of the city is at a comfortable level for its inhabitants. Even within the lower levels of Cloud City, there is meant to be minimal discomfort.

3. There Are Other Ways To Pass Time In Cloud City Other Than Mining

Though mining tibanna gas is its main export, extended universe canon tales tell of tourism and gambling being other things to do. Within the top fifty levels of the city are two of its most notable casinos: Yarith Bespin and Pair O'Dice. With famous casinos comes expensive hotels in the higher levels, with some costing 5,000 credits per night. Conversely, the miners live in the lower levels.

With riches comes more activities to pass time in Cloud City such as sightseeing and touring mining operations. How wealthy inhabitants or tourists can do so would be by hiring cloud cars. Luckily, inhabitants wealthy or not are kept relatively safe with Cloud City's security upon entry and exit and its shield around the city's perimeter.

In the months after the Battle of Endor, Cloud City had become the destination to procure rare implants such as brand new oculars and custom-made hands, or entire organ systems for a multitude of alien species.

4. Three Important Moments In Star Wars Take Place In Cloud City

Perhaps the most memorable moments in the original Star Wars trilogy take place in Cloud City.

• Leia and Han Solo declare their love for one another. Though it is only Leia who says the words "I love you", Han's "I know" was all that was really needed.
• What happened after Han confirmed his feelings for Leia? Han was frozen in carbonite by Darth Vader and later claimed by Boba Fett as a bounty.
• Luke loses his hand at the hands of Vader and discovers he was his father.

Though it ended on a down note for the characters, these events lay the foundation of the events that take place for the rest of the trilogy and the rest of the films onward.

5. The City's Designs Were Inspired By The Overall Look Of Alderaan

As per George Lucas' original draft of 1977's Star Wars, there was a floating city on Alderaan that served as the capital of the New Galactic Empire. Ralph McQuarrie's original concept art and earliest sketches for the original trilogy were originally geared towards Alderaan. In the end, McQuarrie's artwork would become Cloud City in The Empire Strikes Back. The main difference is reddish skies during sundown as opposed to blue.

With Alderaan destroyed, perhaps there is a part of them living on in Cloud City. Maybe more attention will be given to Cloud City in the future. With the story continuing, one can only hope more action can take place in the City with more than 300 levels. Maybe those three hundred plus levels can draw inspiration from what Alderaan was once like.

6. Cloud City Had Lando Calrissian Unconventionally Come To Power

Sometime after gambling away the Millennium Falcon, a young smuggler by the name of Lando Calrissian gambled big and won control of Cloud City. During the Age of the Empire, Devaronian smuggler Gev Hessan did some work for Lando to help him build Cloud City. As a result, Lando was the main man in charge when Lord Vader arrived and made ‘the deal'.

When it was clear Vader didn't intend to keep his end of the bargain, Calrissian betrayed him and ordered the citizens to flee. Luke, Leia, Han, Cloud City, and its people became more important than the high possibility of the planet being used as the main fueling station for their fighter jets and weapons. Cloud City is much more than its resources.

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Written by Idalis Wood

Sources: inafarawaygalaxy.com, Wookieepedia, Screen Rant

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