It is believed that the planet once bore great amounts of oceanic water. During the initial colonization fo Tatooine, mining expeditions, boring deep into the planet's primeval crust, unearthed mutiple layers of fossil bearing rock. Jawa folklore holds that the great Dune Sea was once a true ocean and not just the vast expanse of hot desert sand that exists today.
Discovered during the main expansion period of the Old republic, Tatooine was at first thought to be a third sun in the system and was charted as such for decades. Closer approach revealed a world of brilliant crystalline sands, and it was these which had reflected the light of the twin suns so effectively that the earlier mistake had been made. Tatooine was seen by its original set- tlers as a treasure trove of minerals and ores, prompting something of a "rush" to the planet soon after the Republic's preliminary surveys were completed. Mining colonies sprang up overnight, centered in a relatively small area of the planet's northern hemisphere.
An unusual concentration of magnetic ores in the planet's mantle, interacting with Tatooine's intense planetary magnetic field, shifts prevailing wind patterns and atmospheric concentrations, creatint a zone of relative coolness in one location. While the remainder of the planet reaches highs better than 65.5 degrees celcius throughout the year, the single temperate zone rarely exceeds 43 degrees celcius while reaching nighttime lows of near freezing. Although limited exploration has mapped out all fo Tatooine's surface, there are no outstanding features or mining opportunities enticeng enough to cause habitation of the planet's hotter regions.
Tatooine's mineral resources failed to meet most corporate expectations, however, and all but a very few closed their mines and pulled out long ago. Much equipment was badly worn and left behind, where it was quickly claimed by the native Jawa and Sand People populations. some of the moisture farms that had sprung up found use for the mining compressors and shallowdiggers abandonded in the evacuation, though most farmers foun themselves being billed for the machinery they had adopted.
The first settlement established in the northern sector of the temperate zone, Fort Tusken, was founded at the northern end of the area known as the Judland Wastes. The settlement was quite successful during its first two years,for its extensive moisture vaporator array pulled enough water napor from the atomsphere to allow the growing of healthy, bountiful crops.
Then, during Fort Tusken's third growng season, mysterious raiders began attacks upon the settlement. The unprovoked assaults wounded many and killed a few, and resulted in the disabling of several crucial pieces of farm equipment Repairs were made and the settlement survived, despite repeated attacks by what came to be known as the "Tusken Raiders" or "Sand People." Eventually, however, the harsh conditions present at the extreme northern end of the temperate zone forced the ingabitants of Fort Tusken to abandon the settlement. Some colonists left the planet altogether, but most joined friends and relatives living on the moisture farms farther south.
The official capital of Tatooine is Bestine, a town some 200 kilometers west of Mos Eisley. With just over a thousand permanent residents, Bestine holds what government the planet has in a hewn-stone building on the town square. Facing the capitol building is Bestine's Museum fo Tatooine, which proudly displays an impressive of sand and sandglass sculptures. The main hall of the museum boasts the only complete, fully-mounted and properly-displayed krayt dragon skeleton on this planet.
Today, Tatooine has a population of approximately 80,000. The planet supplies sales and silicas (and little else) to those worlds in need. Smugglers use the planet as a safe haven, for it lies just beyond the regular patrol routes of the Imperial police and is rarely intruded upon by law-enforcement officers. The most interesting of Tatooine's claims is that it is home to some of the most beautiful sandglass sculptures known.
Here is some information relating to Tatooine.
