Palaven

Palaven is the turian homeworld. The planet has a weak metallic core which allows greater than normal levels of radiation to breach the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere. As a result, most life on Palaven has evolved some kind of metallic exoskeleton to protect itself from high levels of radiation. Although life on Palaven is carbon-based and oxygen-breathing, it is built on dextro-amino acids. This places the turians in a distinct minority on the galactic stage; the quarians are the only other sapient dextro-protein race.

Garrus Vakarian grew up on Palaven – according to him, despite the immense radiation, Palaven is not as hot as Therum and similar to Virmire.

Palaven (or Palavan) has a regular shuttle route to Illium. On the day Commander Shepard visits Illium, the shuttle is scheduled for departure at 15.20.

Mass Effect 3
Palaven will be featured as a location in Mass Effect 3.

Trivia

 * There is a business in the Citadel named for this planet. Located in Zakera Ward's Mid-Wards District, this business is located on the 28th level of a building.