The Central Lowlands were a particularly arid region of Tatooine, a desert planet located in the Outer Rim Territories. In 0 BBY, the droid partners C-3PO and R2-D2 crashed in the Central Lowlands aboard an escape pod following their escape from the Tantive IV, a CR90 corvette affiliated with the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Subsequently, the enemy Galactic Empire tracked the droids to the Lowlands and sent a Reconnaissance Troop Transporter after them.