The Federation of Planets is a union of various species in the Milky Way Galaxy.
The Federation was founded in 2161 by United Earth, the Vulcan High Command, the Andorian Empire, and the Tellarite Confederacy. Member worlds share resources and knowledge and maintain peace within their territories.
Starfleet is the exploratory and defensive arm of the Federation.
The Federation is a representative republic with its capital in San Francisco, Earth. The President of the United Federation of Planets is the head of state and government. The Federation Council, consisting of representatives from each member world, is the primary legislative body.
The Prime Directive (Starfleet General Order 1) prohibits Federation personnel from interfering with the internal development of alien civilizations, especially pre-warp societies.
The Federation maintains peace treaties with former adversaries and continuously explores uncharted space. Allies include the Vulcans and Andorians; recurring adversaries include the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Star Empire.
The Federation is a post-scarcity society. Starships use warp drive for faster-than-light travel and transporters for short-range matter transfer. Medical, communication, and defense technologies are similarly advanced.