System: Genoa

During the latter part of the 22nd century, explorers financially supported by investors from the Italian province of Genova were paid to find a world they could settle. A suitable world was located less then 90 light-years from Terra, and in 2300 seven ships carrying 100,000 colonists set out for their new home. What they found was not what they were expecting.

The planet they named Genoa (after the port city in the Genova Province) had been forced from its orbit in a brief but violent journey precipitated a millennia ago by a passing meteor. The world's lush plant and plentiful animal life died off, leaving a barren, dry, rocky, and only marginally habitable world. The planet's harsh frozen environment forced the population underground. It was here that they discovered huge underground lakes teaming with aquatic life. They also discovered vast deposits of rich ore, minerals, and high-grade gemstones.

The planet began thriving, and by 2315 became a member of the Liao Protectorate until it was taken by the Terran Hegemony. Vast networks of tunnels were cut during mining operations. Small underground cities were built throughout the northern and southern continents. The capital city of Columbus and two of the planet's four spaceports are located on the northern continent, Rivera, where the large veins of ore are mined. Most of the high-grade gemstones and minerals are mined on Genova, the southern continent. All raw materials are shipped to ports via a mass underground-transit system.

After the fall of the Star League, Genoa became a Liao world. That lasted until the Fourth Succession War, when House Davion captured the planet and held it until FedCom collapsed in 3057. Genoa was part of the Chaos March, refusing to bow to Liao raiders during the Xin Sheng movement, though control was regained by the FedSuns in the waning months of the FedCom civil war.

There are no functional factories located on this planet.