Vulcan has a considerably higher gravity and thinner atmosphere than Earth. Its climate is generally harsh, with most of the surface consisting of large deserts or mountain ranges, along with scattered small seas. Desert areas are prone to large amounts of heat, light, and electrical sand fire storms.

The Vasari are known for destroying the planets the colonize when the resources run out, because of this their Dark Fleet drifts at set coordinates looking for the next planet to occupy.

The asari homeworld has been called the "crown jewel of the galaxy," the "apex of democracy," and the "beating heart of galactic love." Its republics have a remarkably low incidence of war, disease, violent crime or famine, riding a stable economy backed by wealthy colonies and Thessia's vast element zero reserves.

Due to the harsh living conditions, the Zabrak were a hardy species. They took to flight and then space travel as soon as they could develop the technology. The planet is arid and dry with pits of lava vast and large like the seas of Earth visible from space.

One side of the planet perpetually faced its sun and the other remained in darkness, a phenomenon known as tidal locking. The dayside was referred to as the Bright Lands and the night-side was known as the Nightlands. Possesses a thin, but breathable atmosphere.