User:Englischlk2019/sandbox

Panem is a country in an area formerly known as North America. It is divided into 12 districs and it's capitol city The Capitol. At 2.7 million square miles (7 million km²)^[1] it is the largest known land mass on earth since World War III.

The nation of Panem replaced the North American nations after they were destroyed by droughts, storms, fires, encroaching seas and a brutal war for the last resources. After the war the country was split in thirteen district with the Capitol ruling over them. But after a few years the districts waged a civil war against the Capitol, later known as The Dark Days. The thirteen districts were defeated, with the thirteenth, which led the civil war, being wiped out.^[2] To punish the districts, the Treaty of Treason was introduced , which set up the first Hunger Games.

Panem is an authoritarian-totalitarian dictatorship^[3] and the seat of government can be found in the Capitol. The dictatorship is led by President Snow who has total political and economic dominance over Panem. He also has total control and surveillance^[4] of the people because there is a large military force, the peacekeepers, which enforce the strict rules and laws. The death penalty or creating an Avox out of a traitor are common punishments. Currently, elections do not exist, so the districts have no political representation in the Capitol. The Hunger Games were invented by the Government to remind the citizens of a former rebellion.

Panem is located in the area once known as North America. After World War III and the following natural disasters about 28% of North America's land mass sank beneath the water level.^[5] It's current size is approximately 2.7 million square miles (7 million km²). As The Capitol has not released official information on Panem's size these numbers are based on Panem's independent Census Bureau.

Panem is divided into 12 (formerly 13) districts and The Capitol, located in the center of the districts. The location of the districts were set according to their respective production industry ^[4](e.g. District 4 takes up most of the Pacific Ocean to be able to maximize the amout of fish and marine goods).

A recent census by the Panem Census Bureau estimates Panem's population to be around 2 million (0.55/sq mi; 0.34km²). Compared to the population right after The Dark Days there has been an increase of around 35^[6]%.

The inhabitants of the Capitol are the richtest people of Panem. President Snow’s government controls the economy^[3] , so each district is specialized in one brand of economy to sustain themselves and especially the Capitol, but there is still an unjust distribution of wealth as Districts 1 or 2 are wealthier than for example Districts 11 and 12. Even in the districts huge differences do exist. If a family struggles to sustain themselves, they can use the government’s tesserae system. By signing up for tesserae the participants get a year’s supply of grain and oil. In exchange the children have to add their names an additional time in the reaping. They can add their names as often as they want to.^[7]

Every District of Panem is specified to their own area with strict borders. The Capitol is the wealthiest part of Panem. The people living in the Capitol are known for dying their extravagant fashion trends and plastic surgery. District 1’s industry is creating luxury items for the Capitol. It is the wealthiest District, accounting for around 48% of the districts' wealth^[8]. The industry of District 2 is masonry and manufacture weapons. It is known for their career tributes, who are trained all their lives to represent their districts and win the Hunger Games. They are also the biggest supporters of the Capitol. District 3 manufactures general electronics for all of Panem. District 4’s industry is fishing and other marine products. District 5 serves as Panem's power plant and District 6 is responsible for Panem's transportation. The next District, District 7, is responsible for the lumber industry, so it supplies Panem with wood. The production of textiles and Peacekeeper uniforms is the industry of District 8. District 9 is farming and getting grain and District 10’s industry is livestock. District 11, one of the poorest areas, is specified on agriculture. The industry of District 12 is mining coal. It is the poorest District of all.^[9]

Due to the strict borders and limited communication between districts, many of them have developed e.g. figures of speech special to their respective districts.

Every year the Capitol hosts an event called the Hunger Games. It is a battle royale set in the Arena and every District has to choose one boy and one girl between 12 and 18 years of age. The games are held to remind everyone of the failed revolution of District 13 and the power of the Capitol. At the end of the games only one winner is left.