United Federation of Planets

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United Federation of Planets
The flag of the United Federation of Planets
Universe	Star Trek
In-universe information
Other name(s)	UFP The Federation
Type	Representative Republic
Founded	2161
Leader	Federation President
Enemies	Romulan Empire Klingon Empire (until 2327) Borg The Dominion Cardassian Union
Capital and Branches	Paris (Federation President's residence) San Francisco (Federation HQ and Starfleet Command) New York City (United Earth HQ)
Currency	Federation Credit for external trade and capital transfers, majority of Federation member worlds operate without legal tender or currency
Affiliation	Starfleet Daystrom Institute

In the fictional universe of Star Trek, the United Federation of Planets (UFP) is the interstellar government with which, as part of its space force Starfleet, most of the characters and starships of the franchise are affiliated. Commonly referred to as "the Federation", it was introduced in the original Star Trek television series. The survival, success, and growth of the Federation and its principles of freedom have become some of the Star Trek franchise's central themes.

The Federation is an organization of numerous planetary sovereignties, including Earth and Vulcan. The franchise focuses on Starfleet, the exploration and defense arm of the Federation, rather than the government. Viewers are rarely given details of the internal workings of the government; however, many episodes refer to the rules and laws that the Federation imposes on the characters and their adventures.