Districts

The Hunger Games series was set in the fictional world of Panem, a nation compromised of 13 districts.

Neesha Thunga K

Article written by Neesha Thunga K

B.A. in English Literature, and M.A. in English Language and Literature.

The nation of Panem consists of 13 outlying districts, each of which specializes in a particular industry.

District 1

Produces jewels and gemstones
Trains career tributes

Friendly with the Capitol
Noteworthy members: Glimmer and Marvel

Central point of Hunger Games District 1
District 1 is a wealthy province in the Rocky Mountains

One of the wealthiest districts in Panem, District 1 produces luxury items such as gemstones and jewelry. The district enjoys an amicable relationship with the Capitol, although they take part in the Hunger Games. The tributes that come from District 1 are career tributes, who train specifically for the Hunger Games all their lives.

District 1 is located north of the capital and near current-day Alberta, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. This fits in with the industry of District 1, as these areas are known for the production of gemstones.

District 2 

Produces stone and architects
Military influence and source of the Capitol’s army
Trains career tributes
Noteworthy members: Cato and Clove

Marble building in District 2 of the Hunger Games art
The marble-built headquarters of District 2

Home to several wealthy citizens of Panem, District 2 has a favorable relationship with the Capitol. Situated around stone quarries, the district is populated by masonry workers that produce stone for the architecture of the nation. 

After the secession of District 13, District 2 became the military base of the Capitol and remained one of the last districts siding with the Capitol during the second rebellion. The Capitol’s army of peacekeepers are recruited and trained from District 2. The Peacekeeping forces as well as the Capitol’s fleet of hover planes are located within a central mountain, nicknamed “the Nut” by Katniss. The Nut was captured by the rebels during the second rebellion due to the ingenuity of Gale Hawthorne. Notably, the tributes that are picked for The Hunger Games from District 2 are career tributes.

District 2 is located to the south of the Capitol. Several villages of the district are situated around various stone mines.

District 3

Produces electronics, firearms, and mechanical products
Tributes are skilled with electronic devices
Noteworthy members: Beetee Latier and Wiress

Hunger Games District 3 artwork
An electronics factory in Panem’s District 3

District 3 is known for producing general electronics as well as mechanical products such as firearms and automobiles. The tributes that are picked for The Hunger Games from District 3 are exceptionally skilled with electronic devices.

This district is located northwest of District 12. Its distance from the Capitol explains why District 3 is not considered a Career District.

District 4

Specializes in fishing
One of the wealthiest districts
Trains career tributes
Noteworthy members: Mags Flanagan and Finnick Odair

Large fishing ship in District 4 of the Hunger Games art
A large fishing ship at the docks in District 4

District 4 is one of the Career Districts and among the wealthiest districts in the nation. The industry that District 4 specializes in is fishing. As such, the tributes that come from this district are expedient in using tridents and nets, are exceptional swimmers, and can identify edible seafood. One of the most notable Victors from District 4 is Finnick Odair, who was an important ally of Katniss Everdeen during the Quarter Quell, and one of the main instigators of the second rebellion.

District 4 sprawls across the West Coast of North America. It is located around the region of California and Oregon.

District 5

Produces electricity for the entire nation
A wealthy district
Noteworthy member: Foxface

Dam in District 5 of the Hunger Games art
The infamous gigantic dam in District 5 that powers much of Panem

The specialty of District 5 lies in the generation of electricity using solar, hydro, and nuclear power, for the entire nation. The district contains a hydroelectric dam that powers most of the nation. Notably, the dam was destroyed by the rebels in the second rebellion, thereby causing a massive outage of electricity in the Capitol for several hours.

District 5 is located to the southwest of the Capitol, which allows it to continuously provide a power supply to it. Its distance from District 12 explains why District 12 does not have enough electricity to light their homes throughout the day.

District 6

Produces transport such as hovercrafts and high-speed & cargo trains
The most populated district
Large uprising during the 2nd rebellion
Noteworthy members: Ginnee and Otto (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)

Rail factory in District 6 of the Hunger Games art
One of the many rail factories in District 6

Not much is known about District 6 other than its industry, which is transportation. All of the nation’s hovercraft, high-speed trains, and cargo trains come from this district.

District 6 is located under Lake Michigan. It is situated in the northeast of the continent and surrounded by District 3 and District 13. 

District 7

Specializes in the lumber industry
Tributes are good with axes, having worked from a young age
Noteworthy members: Johanna Mason and Blight

Logging camp in District 7 of the Hunger Games art
Logging camps are a common sight in District 7

District 7 specializes in the lumber industry. The residents of District 7 have good experience with tree-cutting tools such as axes, saws, and hatchets. Unlike other districts, children in District 7 begin working at an early age.

District 7 is located in the northwestern region of the continent and covers parts of Washington State, Oregon, British Columbia, and Alberta, Canada. In the present day, these regions produce redwood and other tree products, which fit in with the industry of District 7.

District 8

Produces textiles and clothing – including peacekeeper uniform
Instigated the second rebellion
An urban, industrial place
Noteworthy members: Cecilia and Woof

Textile factory in District 8 of the Hunger Games art
District 8 dresses the Capitol with their plentiful textile factories

District 8 is known for the production of textiles, with one factory exclusively dedicated to the production of Peacekeeper’s uniforms. This is one of the most rebellious districts, having started the Second Rebellion.

District 8 covers a long, narrow region towards the southeast of the continent. It does not have any greenery but boasts an urban landscape with factories and industries. It is surrounded by five districts – 2, 3, 9, 11, and 12.

District 9

The “breadbasket” of Panem
The least mentioned district in the series
Noteworthy members: Panlo and Sheaf (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)

Wheat field in District 9 of the Hunger Games art
Rolling wheat fields fill District 9 and feed much of Panem

Little is known about life in District 9. The main industry of this district is grain and as such, it contains acres of farmland.

District 9 is located in the center of the continent. Bordered by the Capitol and six other districts, District 9 covers the region of the Great Plains, the Great Lakes, and parts of Canada, most of which is fertile land known for the production of wheat.

District 10

Provides meat to the Capitol
Noteworthy members: Brandy and Tanner (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)

Livestock in District 10 of the Hunger Games art
Cattle in the open plains of District 10

The main industry of District 10 is livestock. The most notable aspect of District 10 is that it contains marriage rituals that are similar to those of District 4.

District 10 is located in the southwestern region of the continent which corresponds with present-day Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada as well as parts of northern Mexico. The flat topography of this land is ideal for the breeding of livestock.

District 11

Specializes in agriculture
A very strict and oppressed district
Noteworthy members: Rue and Thresh

Fruit trees in District 11 of the Hunger Games art
District 11 is rich in fruit trees amongst other plant products

District 11 specializes in agriculture. The land of District 11 is converted into fields, orchards, and farmland for dairy cattle, and most of the produce from the industry is shipped to the Capitol. As a result, the residents of District 11 are among the poorest in the country. They are also punished harshly for stealing any grains or crops they grow. 

Security is among the tightest in this district, with a heavily guarded 30 foot-high fence bordering the district and Peacekeepers publicly whipping workers who disobey the laws. The reason security is so strict in this district is perhaps due to the vitality of the industry of District 11 to the survival of the Capitol. Rue, the tribute from District 11, was one of Katniss’ most significant allies in the 74th Hunger Games. District 11 is also one of the most rebellious districts, playing a significant part in the Second Rebellion.

District 11 is located near the Gulf Coast which is in the far southeast of the continent. As such, it experiences warm weather that is ideal for the growth of crops.

District 12

Produces coal and later medicine
Home to the novel’s protagonist and the beginning of the story
Gets destroyed by the Capitol
Noteworthy members: Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch

Districts 1
Coal refineries were a common sight in pre-rebellion District 12

District 12 is the home of Katniss Everdeen. The major industry of this district is coal, and it is the poorest district in the nation. The District had only two victors, Haymitch Abernathy, and Lucy Gray Baird, until Katniss and Peeta won the 74th Hunger Games. It was destroyed by the Capitol after the Quarter Quell as punishment for Katniss’ open rebellion against the Capitol. 900 people out of a population of around 10,000 escaped and rebuilt their lives in the district after the Second Rebellion when medicine became its main industry.

District 12 is located in the Appalachian mountains of North and South Carolina.

District 13

Nuclear research and technology (masked by graphite production)
An independent nation and home of the rebellion

The only district not to take part in a hunger games
Noteworthy members: Alma Coin and Boggs

Underground District 13 of the Hunger Games art
The underground ex-nuclear research facility which is District 13

District 13 was once a part of Panem. However, the district seceded from the nation at the end of the First Rebellion, after having signed a peace treaty with the Capitol. The Capitol then spread propaganda about District 13 – that it was annihilated for its rebellious actions – thereby warning the other districts of the consequences of rebellion. The Capitol also led its citizens to believe that the main industry of District 13 was graphite mining, which was merely a cover for the truth. The main industry of District 13 was nuclear research and development, as well as the development of arms and weapons.

While the Capitol and President Snow hoped that the 13th district would die out on its own, the people of the district survived and District 13 became the base of the second rebellion.

District 13 is located in the northeastern region of the continent, just beyond the Appalachian mountains. This region is home to several nuclear power plants in current times.

FAQs

Are there 12 or 13 districts in the Hunger Games?

There are 13 districts in the Hunger Games, although only 12 are operational. District 13 seceded from the nation after the first rebellion.

What are the 13 districts in the Hunger Games?

The 13 districts in Hunger Games are nation-states that are ruled by the Capitol. Each of them is responsible for producing or refining a particular resource for the nation.

Is District 13 bad in the Hunger Games?

According to the Capitol, District 13 was annihilated due to their rebellious actions during the Dark Days. However, the fact that they were villainous was just manipulative propaganda spread by the Capitol

Is there a District 15 in the Hunger Games?

No, there is no District 15 in the Hunger Games novels. The nation of Panem consists of a total of 13 districts along with the Capitol.

Is there a District 16 in the Hunger Games?

No, there is no District 16 in the Hunger Games novels. The nation of Panem consists of a total of 13 districts along with the Capitol.

Why are there districts in the Hunger Games?

The nation of Panem in the Hunger Games consists of the Capitol and 12 outlying districts. The districts were created as a part of the centralized economy with each district producing one particular resource for the nation.

Why is District 12 so small?

The size of the districts in Panem depends upon the surviving population as well as the functional use of the land. District 12 is a small town because it is situated around a handful of coal mines in the Appalachians.

Why is District 12 in poverty?

The wealth of the district depends upon the resources that they produce. Coal, which is produced by District 12, is not as luxurious a product as gemstones or military weapons, which is why the district is in abject poverty.

What country is Panem based on?

Suzanne Collins derived inspiration from Greek and Roman mythology for the creation of the Hunger Games universe. As such, the nation of Panem is based on the ancient Roman Empire.

Is there life outside Panem?

The world outside the nation of Panem is never mentioned in the Hunger Games series. This is because the citizens of Panem believe that there is no life outside the nation.

Is there a District 0 in Hunger Games?

No, there is no District 0 in the Hunger Games novels.

Neesha Thunga K

About Neesha Thunga K

B.A. in English Literature, and M.A. in English Language and Literature.

Neesha, born to a family of avid readers, has devoted several years to teaching English and writing for various organizations, making an impact on the literary community.

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