The word panem is Latin for “bread,” and given the similarity of the Hunger Games to the gladiatorial Games of Ancient Rome, it recalls panem et circenses, or “bread and circuses.” The phrase refers to the Roman Caesars' strategy of quelling public discontent by providing the people with plenty of food and ...

Why is America called Panem?

The name Panem derives from the Latin phrase Panem et circenses, which literally translates into 'bread and circuses'. The phrase itself is used to describe entertainment used to distract public attention from more important matters.

What is the literal meaning of Panem?

America is gone, but on the continent of North America, a new country called Panem formed. (The word "Panem" is part of the Latin phrase "panem et circenses," which means "bread and circuses.") The country was divided into 13 districts, and the city called the Capitol ruled over the area.

Is Panem short for Pan America?

The word "Panem" might sound like some weird corruption of the term "Pan-American" to some. Given that it's located in the continent of North America, this would make sense as far as educated guesses go. However, the name has nothing to do with America and everything to do with a Latin phrase.

Why is Panem the only country left?

The franchise referenced a series of ecological disasters and global conflict as a cause for the disastrous event. Based on the minimal information, however, it was presumed that the rest of the planet became uninhabitable, making Panem the Hunger Games universe's only surviving civilization.

History of Panem: Origin Story (Hunger Games Explained)

Does Europe exist in The Hunger Games?

The Hunger Games is set in the dystopian nation of Panem and never really explores what's outside of the sovereign state. As the only known home for humanity following the nuclear wars and climate change that decimated the planet, Panem's citizens believe life simply does not exist outside their walls.

How big is the military in Panem?

Also note this is a post-apocalyptic story, which means dealing with a massively reduced population by default. Even if we are generous and say the population of the US was only reduced by 50%, that would mean that Panem's military would only barely top 1 million (US military is about 2.2 million).

Where would District 12 be in the US?

On the basis of statistical evidence, District 12 is most likely located in an area comprising parts of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. This tristate area is where employment in the coal mining industry and its associated occupations are concentrated.

Is Mexico in Panem?

Panem is located on the continent of North America, with its territory encompassing areas formerly controlled by the former United States, Canada, and Mexico. The administrative center of the country, the Capitol, is located in the Rocky Mountains.

How old was Katniss?

Katniss normally wears her hair in a long braid down her back. She is thin and not very tall, but is strong for her size from hunting to feed her family in the woods outside of District 12. Katniss is sixteen years old during the 74th Hunger Games, and seventeen years old during the Quarter Quell and the Rebellion.

Why is Panem a dictatorship?

Panem is a dictatorship ruled by President Snow and predicated on authoritarian control. President Snow maintains his control by sowing division among Panem's people—divvying up the country into twelve districts—and ensuring their dependence upon the government.

How did Haymitch win the Hunger Games?

While never explained in the films, Haymitch Abernathy won the 50th Hunger Games by outsmarting the Capitol, and he paid a significant price for it.

What country did Panem used to be?

Panem used to be what we know as the United States, Canada, and the northern and central portions of Latin America.

How old was Jennifer Lawrence in Hunger Games?

Many actresses auditioned for the role of Katniss before Lawrence, fresh off of her first Oscar nomination for Winter's Bone, was chosen. When she landed the coveted part, she was 20 years old.

What district is Finnick from?

The citizens in District 4 were known to be wealthy and very good-looking. Their tributes were also Careers, training from a very early age to prepare for the Games. The most notable members of District 4 were Finnick Odair and Mags Flanagan.

What district is Rue from?

Rue, the girl tribute from District 11, is small and reminds Katniss of Prim. Rue is able to hop from tree to tree like a squirrel, a skill that helps her outrun and evade her competition. She tips Katniss off to the tracker jacker nest that saves Katniss' life.

What district is Texas in Hunger Games?

The map of Panem in The Hunger Games is much smaller than America's, likely due to areas sinking into the surrounding oceans. District 10 favors Texas, suggesting that neighboring New Mexico and parts of Arizona became District 5. District 11 represents some of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

Are all 12 districts in Panem?

Panem is comprised of the Capitol, where the games are fought, and the other 13 districts that surround it. The closer to the Capitol, the more money the districts have. Each district is in charge of a particular resource.

Why did District 13 get destroyed?

Following its independence from Panem, the entirety of the District's surface infrastructure was leveled by a series of intense of Capitol bombing raids as stipulated in the ceasefire deal with the Capitol. The district in turn relocated its populace, industry, and military to a vast series of underground bunkers.

What is the poorest district in The Hunger Games?

District 12 was the smallest and poorest of the thirteen districts of Panem. Located in Appalachia, it had a population of around 8,000 people prior to being firebombed by the Capitol.

What state was Katniss from?

This is just what Rachel Parsons, a young writer from Athens, West Virginia, wrote in her review of the first book: “I recognized my own home of southern West Virginia in the coal dust-covered town of District 12, where Katniss and her family reside.

How many times is Katniss name entered in the reaping?

It is also cumulative, so Katniss Everdeen, when she was sixteen, had her name put in the glass ball twenty times. Gale Hawthorne, who has five family members including himself, had his name put in the glass ball forty-two times.

What is the richest district in Panem?

Those who lived in District 1 were some of the wealthiest citizens of Panem. Tributes from District 1 were known as "Careers" because they trained for years before competing in the Hunger Games, using their wealth and status to become elite warriors and get a leg up on the competition.

Who rules Panem after the war?

Panem Was Finally Given The Chance To Flourish

Not much was revealed about Panem following the Second Rebellion. That said, it was stated that an emergency election took place after Katniss assassinated Coin. Commander Paylor, a vital leader in the Second Rebellion from District 8 was elected as Panem's new president.

What are the ranks in the Panem army?

Head Peacekeepers are appointed to oversee Peacekeeper activity in each of the Districts. The Peacekeeper ranks are as follows, from highest to lowest: Head Peacekeeper, Seargeant, Corporal, Private.