Bensonia

Bensonia is a planet located in Federation space, and is the site of a Federation colony.

The planet has a cool temperate environment and about 31% of its surface is covered by land.

Originally the Orion colony of Votannis, the Orions sold the planet to the Bensonia Development Corporation, whose founder, Luther G. Bensonia, paid 7 million credits to Golenz and his family. The planet is a rare example of a Federation colony established on Orion terms. Currently about 98% of the population is Human, with the remainder being Orion.

Aside from previously being an Orion colony, Bensonia was the home world to a race of beings known as Trunes. The Trunes had risen to a high level of development through Orion tutelage. However, a large civil war erupted on the planet causing the deaths of over 40 million, and leaving only a small number of Orion settlers. Since the weapons used during the war were not overly destructive, the planet is now covered in extensive ruins giving Human settlers (and any other visitors) crutial incite into the early expansion and colonization efforts of the Orion people. Many of the ruins on the planet are surrounded by hostels, tourist outlets, and equipment rental shops which charge a respectable fee to anyone to any would-be explorer. Many of the funds are used to protect the ruins from later generations of "cultural poachers."

The planet features one of the best star port facilities in the region. It was built by Starfleet during the Romulan War when Bensonia served as a staging area for attacks on the Romulan Empire.

Currently, many of the settlers are in favor of opening the third planet in the Votannis System, Hodunk, to colonization. This demand is not due to overcrowding on Bensonia, but a desire to keep criminal elements from gaining control over the planet. (The Orions: Book of Common Knowledge)