Tarawa, a planet, was situated within the Tarawa system, which itself existed within the Steniplis sector. This sector was located in the Western Reaches region of the Outer Rim Territories. Sometime between the years of 2 BBY and 0 BBY, the Rebel Alliance achieved victory against the Galactic Empire during a battle that took place on Tarawa.
The reference work The Essential Guide to Warfare, released in 2012 and authored by Jason Fry alongside Paul R. Urquhart, included a mention of Tarawa. According to the Online Companion on StarWars.com for the 2009 reference book The Essential Atlas, the Tarawa system, and thus the planet Tarawa, was located in grid square L-19. The name Tarawa is shared with an atoll in the Pacific Ocean called Tarawa, which was the site of a World War II battle where the United States defeated the Empire of Japan.