‘The Hunger Games’: A Complete Map Guide With Every Location, Explained

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The story of The Hunger Games takes place in a troubled future version of the United States called Panem. The main plot centers around young people from the poorer outer districts who are forced to compete in a deadly annual event – the Hunger Games – as a way for the government to control the population. Panem is made up of a rich central city called The Capitol and thirteen districts (reduced to twelve after a period of rebellion called The Dark Days). Each district operates like its own isolated community, with unique traditions and ways of life.

The name “Panem” comes from the Latin phrase panem et circenses, which means “bread and circuses.” This refers to the Roman emperors’ practice of keeping the public happy with food and entertainment. For many years, the region was ruled by President Snow, a strict leader who used a military force called the Peacekeepers to maintain control.

This is a complete guide to the map of Panem from The Hunger Games. The information about each District comes mainly from what the main character, Katniss Everdeen, remembers and sees, as well as details from the game The Hunger Games Adventures.

The Capitol

Panem’s Technologically Advanced Administrative Hub


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The Capitol, situated in the mountainous west of what was once North America, is a highly advanced city where all of Panem’s wealthiest citizens live. Its residents are known for their extravagant lifestyles and their contempt for those outside their circle. Before the Second Rebellion, the Capitol was ruled by Presidents Snow and Ravinstill as a cruel dictatorship. Following the events of Mockingjay, rebel leader Commander Paylor from District 8 takes charge, and Panem transitions into a constitutional republic.

From what I’ve gathered, the Capitol isn’t some far-off, untouchable city – it feels more like a huge, wealthy suburb that takes advantage of everyone else. It really represents everything that’s wrong with power and leadership. The way I see it, the Capitol survives by draining resources from the districts, and the rich families there aren’t just living off Capitol wealth. I’ve learned the Creeds have a big timber operation in District 7, the Cranes own businesses in District 10, and even the Snow family secretly runs labs inside District 13! Because the districts are forced to send everything to the Capitol, they’re left with barely enough to survive themselves.

District 1

The Supplier of Luxury Goods


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District 1 specializes in making high-end products for The Capitol. Situated in what used to be Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, this district is also known for training some of Panem’s most skilled tributes – young people prepared their whole lives to compete in the Hunger Games. Notable victors and participants from District 1 include Augustus Braun (winner of the 67th Hunger Games), Glimmer and Marvel (from the 74th Games), and Cashmere and Gloss (from the 75th Games).

District 1 shows how even small advantages gained through wealth can make a difference. It became known for sending tributes who were well-nourished, which led to more wins in the Hunger Games. Because District 1 provides luxury items, it enjoys a close relationship with the Capitol. This wealth also means its tributes are generally allowed to train without harsh punishment. However, despite these benefits and its location near the Capitol, District 1 wasn’t unaware of the Capitol’s oppression and was actually one of the first districts to openly rebel.

District 2

Panem’s Masonry Center


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District 2 is a landlocked region located south of the Capitol, originally encompassing parts of Colorado and New Mexico. It’s famous for its stone quarries and skilled stonemasons. The district also serves as the primary source of recruits and training for Panem’s Peacekeepers, and is where most of the nation’s weapons are made. A heavily fortified mountain called The Nut, within District 2, holds a large portion of the Capitol’s military supplies.

District 2 has a long history of supporting the Capitol. They were the last district to openly side with the government during the Second Rebellion. The district also strongly values strength and combat, with many residents seeing it as a privilege to participate in the Hunger Games. Notable Hunger Games tributes from District 2 include Cato and Clove from the 74th Games, and Brutus and Enobaria, who were victorious in previous Games and competed again in the 75th.

District 3

Panem’s Silicon Valley


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District 3 is Panem’s center for technology, responsible for making computers, TVs, and other electronics. It’s located in the eastern part of the continent, primarily around the states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. It shares borders with District 12 to the east, District 8 to the south, District 9 to the west, and District 6 to the north. Although District 6 specializes in transportation, Katniss once noted that District 3 also produces cars. With so many factories, District 3 is a densely populated area.

People in District 3 start learning about technology at a young age, which has given them an edge in the games. We’ve seen this with Beetee, who created an electrical trap that took out six opponents, and Teslee, who reprogrammed drones to attack another tribute. Because of their skills, District 3 has always been very confident, and they were quick to join the fight during the second rebellion.

District 4

The Fisheries Hub


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According to The Hunger Games: Tribute Guide, the people of District 4 are skilled fishers, comfortable and quick in the water thanks to their use of nets and tridents. Fishing is central to their way of life, and children learn to fish from a young age. District 4’s location on the west coast—roughly where California and Oregon are—allows its sea-based industries to flourish. It shares borders with District 1 to the east, District 5 to the southeast, and District 7 to the north.

District 4’s strong swimming tradition has given its tributes an advantage in the Hunger Games, both offensively and defensively. Their rigorous training starts very young, which allowed Finnick Odair to win the Games at just 14 years old – making him the youngest victor on record. Beyond the arena, District 4 is a particularly admirable district, as it was the only Career District to actively support the rebellion and help Katniss during the 75th Hunger Games.

District 5

Panem’s Engine


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District 5 provides all of Panem’s power, including electricity from sources like solar, nuclear, and hydroelectric dams. It’s located southwest of the Capitol, in an area similar to Arizona and southern Utah. Its location near the Colorado River is ideal for generating power through hydroelectric dams.

As a total film buff, I always find the world-building in these stories fascinating. Apparently, District 5 is the powerhouse behind the nation’s electricity, which made it a prime target during the Dark Days – the rebels knew hitting them would cause chaos and blackouts in the Capitol. This was especially effective because the Capitol’s entire surveillance system depended on power, leaving citizens vulnerable. It’s chilling to think about. And the district has seen its share of tragedy, too. Remember Foxface, the sweet girl who tragically died after eating those poisonous berries in the 74th Hunger Games? Then there’s Porter Millicent Tripp, a victor from way back in the 38th Games, who suffered a devastating spinal injury. It really hits home how brutal those Games were, even for the victors.

District 6

The Heart of Panem’s Transport System


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District 6 is the source of many fast vehicles, including hovercrafts and high-speed trains. It’s strange, though, because the people who live there don’t seem very interested in traveling. The district is located in the Midwestern part of North America, roughly around Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Canadian province of Ontario. Its neighboring districts are District 3 to the southeast, District 9 to the northwest, and District 13 to the east.

District 6 is closely linked to the real-world history of Michigan and its long-standing automotive industry. The district also serves as a backdrop for exploring difficult issues like addiction and mental health, particularly the widespread use of morphling, a hallucinogenic painkiller, which Katniss observes during the 75th Hunger Games. Another notable figure from District 6 is Titus, remembered for his disturbing acts of cannibalism.

District 7

The Supplier of Lumber and Paper


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District 7 is responsible for providing lumber and paper to the Capitol. Unlike most of the other districts featured in the Hunger Games, it isn’t located within the connected part of the United States. The books place it in the Pacific Northwest, specifically near the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, and the US states of Montana and Washington. During Katniss’s journey to the Capitol for the 74th Hunger Games, she thought she saw lights that might have come from Districts 7 or 10, suggesting District 7 is located somewhere between District 12 and the Capitol.

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People from District 7 are highly skilled in using lumber tools like axes, a talent that has often been an advantage in the Hunger Games. Johanna Mason, in particular, famously demonstrated her axe skills both during her time competing and during the rebellion. District 7 also played a significant role in the rebellion itself, disabling landmines and successfully fighting against Peacekeepers while the 75th Hunger Games were underway.

District 8

Panem’s Textile Manufacturer


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In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, District 8 is located between Districts 12 and 6. Katniss describes it as a heavily industrialized area, smelling of fumes and lacking greenery. According to a map from The Hunger Games Adventures, the district is geographically based on the states of Kansas, southern Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Despite being forced to manufacture Peacekeeper uniforms, District 8 has a long history of opposing authority and played a key role in overthrowing the oppressive government. Following the deaths of Presidents Snow and Coin, District 8 elected Panem’s first democratically chosen President. Furthermore, it was the first district to openly rebel against the Capitol since the Dark Days, with this rebellion beginning on the night Katniss and Peeta announced their engagement on television.

District 9

Panem’s Breadbasket


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District 9 is mainly focused on growing grain and is one of the poorest areas of Panem. Its location includes the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, as well as the Canadian province of Manitoba. District 9 shares a border with more districts than any other – it has six neighbors: the Capitol to the west, District 8 to the southeast, District 7 to the northwest, District 6 to the northeast, District 3 to the east, and Districts 2 and 1 to the southwest and west, respectively.

As a huge fan of the Hunger Games, I’ve always found District 9 fascinating. It’s the poorest district right next to the Capitol, but don’t let that fool you – they’re the ones who grow all the food, which gives them a surprising amount of power. Interestingly, the books and movies don’t really focus on any specific characters from District 9, but it’s hinted that some of their past Hunger Games winners helped Katniss and Peeta when things got really tough during the Quarter Quell. It’s a subtle detail, but it shows how important even the seemingly forgotten districts can be.

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2025-12-25 21:37