Aquaria
The Ice Colony
Aquaria was a cold, sparsely populated ocean world and one of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol. Official guides describe it as a former research outpost that grew into a frontier colony governed by direct democracy.
Aquaria, also spelled Aquarion and called "The Ice Colony", was a planet in the Cyrannus star system and one of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol. The series mentions it only in passing, so most of what's known about it comes from the official map of the Colonies and its companion pocket guide, which the production treated as quasi-canon. (Battlestar Galactica, "Colonial Day"; Map of the 12 Colonies; Beyond Caprica)
Settlement and government#
Aquaria was settled as an outpost by people who wanted to get away from social divisions such as religion, politics and ethnicity, and its population was largely drawn from other colonies. A major geological research station, funded by the other Colonies, stood beside the settlement and owned the colony's high-tech gear and its only major spaceship. (Map of the 12 Colonies; Beyond Caprica)
The colony had no official capital. Its government held weekly community meetings open to citizens and non-citizens alike, and most issues were passed by majority vote, including the election of the colony's Prime Minister. After the Fall, Aquaria's delegate to the Quorum of Twelve, Miksa Burian, voted for Tom Zarek in the vice-presidential election. (Beyond Caprica; Battlestar Galactica, "Colonial Day")
Geography#
Aquaria was a frigid ocean world with only small volcanic landmasses and small communities, by far the least populous of the Twelve Colonies. Its biggest draw was the annual summer festival, when up to half a million people visited for music, dance, theatre and epic poetry. (Map of the 12 Colonies; Beyond Caprica)
Frequently asked questions
- What was Aquaria?
- Aquaria, also spelled Aquarion, was one of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol. Official supplementary material describes it as a frigid ocean world and by far the least populous of the colonies.
- How was Aquaria settled and governed?
- According to the official pocket guide and map, Aquaria began as an outpost that grew into a colony of settlers drawn from other worlds, with a major geological research station beside the settlement. It was run as a direct democracy, with weekly community meetings and most issues, even the choice of Prime Minister, settled by majority vote.
- What was the population of Aquaria?
- Its permanent population was only in the tens of thousands, though its annual summer festival could draw up to half a million visitors. It had no official capital city.
- Does Aquaria appear in the TV series?
- Only by name. Laura Roslin reads out Aquaria's vote when the Quorum of Twelve elects a vice president, and its delegate, Miksa Burian, votes for Tom Zarek. Most details about the planet come from official supplementary material rather than the episodes.
Sources
- EpisodeColonial Day, Season 1, Episode 11 (2005)
- BookMap of the 12 Colonies, Battlestar Galactica Map of the 12 Colonies, Quantum Mechanix official map (2010)
- BookBeyond Caprica, Beyond Caprica: A Visitor's Pocket Guide to the Twelve Colonies, Bob Harris
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
Followed from this entry
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Tom Zarek
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Mentioned in4 entries
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Four stars in a double binary, Helios Alpha through Delta, holding all Twelve Colonies. Refugees from Kobol settled them two thousand years back.
Hestia
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