Badlands

The Badlands is an area of space located in Sector 04-70 between the border of the Federation and the Cardassian Union known for its violent plasma storms and gravitational anomalies. Much of it extends across the Demilitarized Zone into Cardassian space and, despite the turbulent space, is home to many asteriods and planets. Sensor ranges are severely limited there. Most space-faring species avoid the region if at all possible, although some criminal organizations and resistance cells utilized it as a haven over the years.

The Bajoran Resistance used the Badlands to avoid Cardassian patrols during the Occupation until 2369. (DS9: "Starship Down") Likewise, the Maquis regularly used the area to stage attacks against and hide from the Cardassians between 2370-73. (DS9: "The Maquis, Part I"; "Defiant").

In 2371, the Caretaker abducted several ships from the Badlands including the USS Voyager and transported them to the Delta Quadrant. (Voyager: "Caretaker")

The area was of strategic importance during the Dominion War, and both sides routinely using the storms to ambushed convoys passing nearby. (DS9: "Waltz")