Inner Rim Territories
The Inner Rim Territories, also called the Inner Rim Planets or more commonly just the Inner Rim, was a region of the galaxy between the Colonies and the Expansion Region. It was originally just called "The Rim" when settled 20,100 BBY. It was expected to be the farthest extent of the known Galaxy for centuries, but the Expanded Rim (later renamed the Expansion Region) was opened within a hundred years of the Inner Rim.
21 BBY, during the Clone Wars, the 4th Constitutional Amendment gave Galactic Republic worlds in the Core, Colonies, and Inner Rim more voting power than worlds in the Expansion Region and beyond. Many of these worlds seceded and joined the Confederacy of Independent Systems
During the reign of Palpatine, the Galactic Empire ruthlessly controlled the Inner Rim. Rather than rebel, many residents chose to flee to the Outer Rim Territories. After the Battle of Endor, the region was held by the Empire, despite its unpopularity, for far longer than expected (until 9 ABY); many later resented the New Republic's sluggishness in liberating the region. Many worlds, despite joining the New Republic, were openly afraid that the government was not strong enough to maintain power. Their concerns were borne out following the return of Palpatine, when the Empire reclaimed most of the Inner Rim.
Mid Rim Territories
The Mid Rim, also known as the Mid-systems, was located between the Expansion Region and the Outer Rim in the galaxy.
With fewer natural resources—and therefore a smaller population—than many neighboring regions, the Mid Rim was a territory where residents worked hard for everything they had. Several planets built up impressive economies, and pirate raiders often hid in the relatively unexplored spaces far from major trade routes.
Circa 4,000 BBY the Mid Rim was known as the Frontier or Galactic Frontier, as it was the limit of the then explored galaxy.
During the Clone Wars, control of the Mid Rim fluctuated between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic. Towards the end of the war, most CIS forces were repulsed to the Outer Rim, with Cato Neimoidia being the last notable Separatist stronghold to fall.
Following the Declaration of a New Order, a series of Imperial academies were established throughout the Mid Rim. It was heavily patrolled by the Empire, which feared that it was ripe for the Rebellion to set up bases there.
As the Empire withdrew, the Mid Rim remained one of the few places unquestionably controlled by the Empire. After the Battle of Endor, it housed many hidden Imperial bases and makeshift shipyards. Many rival Moffs maintained "private empires" in this region on the condition that they supply troops and taxes to legitimate Imperial fleets in the region.
During the time of the return of Palpatine, the Mid Rim was still a significant Imperial power base which kept their massive fleets supplied.
Outer Rim Territories
The Outer Rim Territories, simply known as the Outer Rim, were located outside the Mid Rim. The Outer Rim was the last widely settled expanse of the galaxy before Wild Space and the Unknown Regions. It was strewn with obscure worlds, and rugged, primitive frontier planets.
In the ancient Mandalorian Wars, the Mandalorians chose the Outer Rim to begin their campaign against the Galactic Republic. In 124 BBY, the Galactic Senate declared the Outer Rim to be a free trade zone. In 19 BBY, the Outer Rim Sieges were the last battles of the Clone Wars. Immediately after the formation of the Galactic Empire, three stormtrooper batches were grown in the Outer Rim. Much of the Outer Rim was consolidated under Oversector Outer. Due to its distance from the Core Worlds, the region was home to many supporters of the Rebel Alliance. The Empire's Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin was assigned the difficult task of bringing and keeping the Outer Rim in line.
Moff Sarn Shild considered seceding from the Empire and carving out his own empire in the Outer Rim territories once he tapped into the wealth of the Hutt clans.
Trade languages were common in the Outer Rim.
