The nation of Panem is separated into a total of thirteen nation-states known as districts, twelve of which are recognized as operational by the Capitol, and each being solely responsible for producing, procuring, or refining goods in a particular industry as dictated by the Capitol. All of the districts are subject to the unrelenting will of the authoritarian Capitol, and have no known influence concerning the national politics of Panem beyond their own individual territories.

The districts barely interact with each other, so each district generally has a unique culture unaffected by the other districts which strongly influenced by the goods it produces. Welfare levels vary significantly, and are often dependent on the goods it produces; some districts, such as 11 and 12, are far more impoverished than wealthier districts like 1,2, and 4, though apparently no district is nearly as wealthy as the Capitol itself.

Originally, there were thirteen districts in Panem. During the Dark Days, the 13th district was obliterated by the Capitol and is no longer recognized as operational. Each District provides something different to the Capitol.

One day each year an event called The Reaping takes place where a boy and a girls name is drawn from a large ball. Your name is only put in there once unless you sign your self up for a thing where you can have your name put in again for a chance to get extra food on Parcel Day. After the reaping if your chosen you will be sent to the Justice Building where the Peacekeepers, The law enforcers of Panem that use whips, guns and eletrified fences to keep the residents in and under control, maintane work. You will be givin time to visit with friends and family and then put on a train straight to the Capitol where you will begin training.

Districts:

District 1 is one of the thirteen districts of Panem. Its industry is making luxury items for the Capitol. Due to the nature of its industry, it's considered the wealthiest district, the only other wealthier area being the Capitol itself. It is considered a career district. Little else is known about this district. At the end of Mockingjay, there are memorials made for the Tributes and Victors fallen from District 1, meaning District 1 has 148 of Panem's memorials in their District, notable ones being Cashmere, Gloss, Glimmer and Marvel.

District 2's seal depicts a block of stone and carving tools. The district's public presentation is that of stone quarries, but it also manufactures weaponry, trains, and supplies Peacekeepers. The main military in the district is known as the Nut. This district is sometimes called "the pets" of the Capitol. They are the biggest supporters of the Capitol therefore babied and given many extra conveniences.

District 3's primary industry is general electronics of many types, though it is known for also making various mechanical products such as automobiles and firearms. Thus, many of its residents are technically apt. It is not considered a career district even though district 4 is.

District 4's industry is fishing, thus most residents have experience using nets and tridents, making fishhooks from scratch, swimming, and identifying edible sea life. It is considered a Career district.

District 5, 6, & 9's industry is currently unknown.

District 7's industry is lumber and many of its residents to have experience with hatchets, axes, saws, and other tree cutting tools.

District 8's principal industry is the production of textiles, and they have at least one factory that is primarily used for making Peacekeeper uniforms.

Livestock is District 10's industry. Little else is known about this district.

District 11's industry is agriculture--orchards and fields of grain and cotton surround the district. Almost everything grown is shipped directly to the Capitol. It is one of the poorest districts in Panem, second only to District 12. It is also one of the districts where the Peacekeepers are the strictest. Ironically, this directly results in its residents generally being malnourished and underfed despite its focus on agriculture. It has been said by Katniss(in Catching Fire) on her and Peeta's Victory Tour that District 11 is south of District 12.

District 12 is located somewhere in the Appalachian mountains. Its chief industry is coal mining. The district has the distinction of being one of the poorest districts, if not the outright poorest, in all of Panem.

Before Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the 74th Hunger Games, the district has not had a winner of The Games emerge from the ranks of its residents for twenty-four years since Haymitch Abernathy, a raging alcoholic and an embarrassment to the district, won the 50th Annual Games Before Haymitch, there was only one other victor from District 12, from an unspecified number of years previous.

District 12 is the laughing stock of Panem.