I ask this question to the millions of Hunger Games fanatics today. We all know about Panem, but we don't know what lies beyond. That's why I want to hear from you. Please post your comments in elaborate detail as to what you think lies beyond Panem, and I'll post them... all of them... onto this blog post. Everyone needs to know if there are civilizations outside of Panem.
Opinions[]
#1: My opinion[]
I have a few hypotheses, but this one looks to be the summary:
I believe that no civilizations lie west of Panem, in the place called the Western Lands. The Western Lands are basically the fragments of the Pacific Coast, mostly noticeable by its mountainous coastline. It also features a 25,000 square-mile bay formerly known as the Central Valley. Once the sea level rose, the valley flooded, and its waters never receded, thus eliminating an important source of food from North America, and thus became one of the contributions to the formation of Panem.
Europe would have suffered greatly by the floods and the volcanic eruptions and even hurricanes, and the great famine that arose would make the entire continent suffer more. Once it got down to war, the once dominant country, the European Union, dissolved, and the remains of the continent split into factions, each one fighting for land and resources.
It didn't help Europe that Africa suffered less than most of the world did, with only the wildfires caused by Kilimanjaro, the extinction of some rainforest species, and the temporary lapse of disorder within the capital cities to be concerned about. The sudden sandstorm caused in the Sahara quickly spread north to the European factions, thus making more lands infertile and raising tensions to Feudal levels. The remaining Africans, however, set up their own union along the coasts of Zimbabwe, Namibia, or Nigeria, and thrived better than most other countries.
The Middle East also suffered in the sandstorm, and even more once the desert became vulnerable to more dry thunderstorms. Suddenly, a hurricane coming from Mauritus struck the Middle East, thus causing mass flooding. Even worse, oil demand decreased due to shutdown of trade, and even if they did find any traders, the sand from the sandstorm had greatly contaminated the oil supply, thus crippling the Arabian economy.
That's when two influences were noticed in the Middle East: The rise of Israel and the Jewish religion in the northwest, and the dramatic creation of the New Arabian Order, manned by the senators in Dubai, in the south. However, even they couldn't seem to beat out the remaining minor factions, as the factions created a collective society along with the remaining citizens in Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan. Thus, a war for total control was fought by three sides.
India and China suffered greatly, as earthquakes amd tsunamis, and even the secondary effects of volcanoes, killed millions. Those who survived moved to the highlands, but subzero temperatures caused by an empowering blizzard made it no better. Approximately 83% of the Chinese population and 79% of the Indian population died as a result. Two societies were re-formed by the two countries, and both even sent scouts to find other signs of life. Eventually, India and China, despite the isolation made by the Himalayans, found each other, and made great trades with each other.
Most of Japan's citizens died, if not by the massive volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that immediately took the nation by storm, then by the tsunami that covered all but the tallest of volcanoes. Only a few hundred survived all of that, but much less managed to reach China, where they were given a hero's welcome, and honored for their expert navigation. Some of them later joined the ranks of those trading along the Indian-Chinese trade route.
South Americans west of the Andes died by earthquakes, tsunamis, and if not then, a vibrant plague. Civilization east of the Andes moved to areas around the Amazon rainforest. At first, a disease stationed there killed 22% of the population, but the South Americans were able to adapt, and by carefully using the rainforest's resources, they started up a vibrant civilization.
Australia lost signs of life due to tsunamis and expanding deserts. The people of Perth, however, began a strict way of life similar to District 13. The people of Adelaide and Sydney followed, and then they isolated themselves from the rest of the world, each forming a city-state barely scraping by.
As for Antarctica, snowstorms grew bitter by the month until summer came, when the temperature rose drastically to -30 degrees Farenheit. Somehow, the people from Tierra Del Fuego sailed to Antarctica's coast and were able to make a living, and some Antarctic explorers moved there to live alongside them. However, those who were caught by the blizzard weren't as fortunate.
#2: InsertRandomnessHere's opinion[]
What do I think? Well, obviously from what I've gathered through the books and official maps, most of the Americas is submerged in water. Or at least the top part of Mexico, the bottom part of Canada, and most of the US. At no point has anyone ever told the fans, however, that the REST of the world are aquatic ruins now as well. Or maybe some countries managed to construct an underwater civilization. Surely some parts of the world must of survived. because the foreign survivors would have migrated to Panem if it was the only place to go. Either they all died or there must be another area that survived the unknown natural disaster that flooded most of the earth.
That is my opinion.
#3: Jisu Lee's opinion[]
(He talked about a country along the west coast of North America, called the Pacific Union)
When the climate shift happened, the Rockies became far more dangerous to pass, so the survivors of the west coast were all stranded between the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean. Eventually, they made the PU. They did have some of moderen luxeries such as cars and running water because the climate shift wasn't as severe as to the east coast. Eventually they made contact (via radio) with modern Alaska, Hawaii (which only has one village remaining due to volcanoes), Japan, Austrailia, New Zealand, and intelligent penguins of Antarctica (Just kidding).
They did not bother with the east coast because they knew that the climate change was much more severe there, so they thought humans were extinct in the east.
(In his story, "West of Panem ", he mentions that this country is much more advanced than Panem. It also mentions that its existence is top secret as far as Panem knows.)
About other nations in my reality: Switzerland: it is the original Switzerland from the modern times, survived due it's elevation. It has changed drasticaly from a republic into a monarchy.
The city-states of FUSSR: City states that are in the land of what used to be the USSR. When Moscow was hit with a nuke, the entire area fell in to a communicatino break-down, and that caused the land to be seperated in to millions of pieces.
The tribes of African natives:most of africa was NOT flooded. However, South Africa did sink . When the last gallon of gasoline was used by eygiptians, the entire area was seperated(similar to what happened in siberia), but divided by their blood heritage.
The city of Daegu:Being the highest major city in South Korea with it's reletive southern-ness(North Korea was nuked), South Korea's capitol moved there. By the 75th hunger games, the place became WAY TOO overpopulated with 10,000 people per square mile.
India isles:When most of India sank, it created islands with the unsank 1% of land. They are all in touch with each other(you can swim from one island to another in five minutes). They are a republic.
Austrailia:little villages in the outback. No interest.
more later...
#4: dagostino's opinion[]
Asia: I think that a disease might have spread throughout the eastern world. or maybe Rice plants became dangerous, and killed many people in asian countries. Many died, and the survivors stayed in small villages. Since the disease existed on dead bodies and people who were immune, the babies died and within 100 years, the entire eastern world was devoid of humans. Oceania: All the Islands were swallowed by the rising water levels, leaving Australia with a small population. Only an area of two hundred miles became livable, and soon the humans fought each other for survival, leaving a single village of people to live.
Europe: It was flooded, and only the alps were livable. Another small amount of humans lived there, but an earthquake made most of the alps collapse and a small population survives. Also the center was still left, but Nuclear bombs killed everyone here and made it impossible to survive in.
Africa and Middle East: Civilizations became barbaric, and people avoided one another in africa. No Civilizations were formed, and the contaminated water of the southern oceans made people only survive in the Congo Area. With the water rising, the rivers flooded, and large sections were drowned. The deserts were uninhabitable, and Arabia was almost flooded completely. The center was still left, but it was a desert so no one could survive. The other parts of the Middle east were bombed and the radiation killed everyone there too.
Americas: Of course, Panem was made. Central America was flooded completely, and Mexico was too hot to live in. (Heat made many parts of the world uninhabitable). In Canada, many of the North islands flooded, and people moved to Panem. Parts of canada became district 6 and 7. In South America, Water rose and made it a large Island. The water was contaminated in the southern part, and people lived in the northern areas. Animals become mutated, civilizations turned against each other, and another disease hit here, leaving the area also devoid of humans.
Antarctica: The scientists created a village after the water levels rose, and soon most of the ice melted, leaving a lush rocky land inhabitable area to live. The government wasn't as big as Panem, but it was fair and livable. However, the Ocean waters around it became poisoned (also in south america), and no one dared to go out of Antarctica. They lived off of melted lakes in the center.
#5: Sparrow Hazelthorn's opinion[]
Beyond Panem:
I believe that, after being heavily polluted, the earth became drastically changed. Flood waters ate up most of the coast in all continents and completely swallowed up Australia. Because of the sparse population and starvation issues of Africa, population quickly died out. In Asia, many rice crops were killed by the raising waters, starving many people. Tsunamis and typhoons took out many people in Asia as well. Europe became involved in a nuclear civil war and pretty much decimated itself. North America was relatively undamaged, so many people traveled there, though travel was risky. Once they got there, many people died of a Flu strain. People who were not used to surviving on their own quickly died. Those who were tough and made it through were challenged with this - the little sustenance remaining. A full scale war broke out between what population remained. Because America's army was still in good shape, they won, getting to keep most food and oil, and such. Afterwards, people either lived in their homes, if they were still standing, or shacks. Life was tough for them, until a government leader pulled them together and created Panem. All other continents were abandoned and those who survived the apocalypse moved to Panem.
#6: Mariah 125's response to #3[]
About the Pacific Coast: I think the idea of the Pacific Union is interesting, but SC has said at a book signing that District Four is on the Pacific coast.
#7: Brony 12's Opinion[]
Europe- Drastic floods and hurricanes would rock the Atlantic coastlines, the Mediterainian coast and the UK, eliminating most life. But some humans in the Eastern part of Europe might have found refuge in the Alps or just deeply inland. Russia would probably take advantage of the situation (Not being racist, just theoretical) and offer 'free land' around Moscow. After everyone arrived, they would build walls around the city to keep the spreading contamination out and keep the newcomers in. They would raise taxes to the outsiders, causing much poverty while the native Moscowians lived in luxury. (Much like Panem). Alas in the end the only life would be in Moscow and small vilages in the Alps of people who didn't head for the city and isolated of the new disease. (About 26% of original population left).
Africa- Savage storms would hit the western coastline, killing most people and causing the survivors to head inland. Sadly, the only thing they would meet would be the sandstorms that traveled down from the Sahara desert (Which previously wiped Cairo off the map), causing more despair. The Eastern coast fared no better; they were hit by heavy rains which caused much flooding. People fled into the mountains but died from an outbreak of malaria because the rains gathered in pools creating great breeding for mosquitos. Meanwhile people in the center of Africa traveled behid mountains in Botswana. Most of South Africa was spared from destruction except for the Cape of Good Hope. (Ironic, right?) Eventually, South Africa discovered the mountain refugees and opened their arms to them. They created a new country that consisted of the southern half of Botswana and the remainder of South Africa. They did better than Europe; their results had a 34% of remaining population.
Middle East- A massive tidal wave in the Mediterranean would hit the Middle East. The result: Israel and other coastline countries would be completely submerged in water. Sandstorms would contaminate most water in the Arabian peninsula, causing a drastic drop of population. Sandstorms and earthquakes would destroy most of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and the northern countries. Pakistan barely misses a massive hurricane that hits India. Pakistan and Iran are the only two countries that remain. With dwindling resources left in Iran they quickly declare war and launch an invasion. The remainder of their army is so pitiful that Pakistan swats it aside like a bug. In desperation Iran launches a nucler missle at the capital of Islamabad, destroying it. Karachi is named the new capital and with a higher amount of nucler weapons, they eliminate the reminder of Iran. In the end all that remains is Pakistan with its new capital, Karachi. (A mere 18% of original population exists).
Asia- China is hit by a barrage of stars which destroy all coastal factories which causes a massive increase of pollution. It becomes too great and China was decimated. Japan is burnt to a crisp by volcanic eruptions. India (As previously mentioned) was hit by a tidal wave and the remaining population settled in the Himalayas. Indonesia was mainly destroyed by volcanic eruptions and tidal waves, the only island left was the southern tip of Java. (Remaining of orginal population: 9%).
Austrailia and Oceania- Oceana was completly submerged (0% of original population left). Austrialia's coast was flooded and all residents of Sydney died. The Outback was damaged by sandstorms which ruined much fertile land. An overpopulation of rabbits ate the remaining crops and locusts ate the grasses. This caused caused all of the livestock to perish. The only remaining life was found in the dam-and-wall-protected city of Darwin and the center of Tasmania. (11% of original population).
South America- When scientists predicted savage tidal waves that would rip the western coast to shreds, people fled in mass numbers. To no avail, the tidal wave came sooner than expected and submerged all of Central America, most of Mexico, and all the way to the Andes mountains. An outbreak of waterborne dieases like cholera devastated the Eastern coast. Only small villages in the deepest part of the Brazilian rainforest remained and formed a new nation. (23% orignal population remains).
#8: Jisu Lee's response to #6[]
The waters of Pacific Coast are too cold and the currents are too swift for large seafood productions unless they are using mutts. (It is already cold enough here without the climate shift; imagine if it was colder.) It also has at least two tsunamis a year, usually more. But Texas/Louisiana/Florida/Mississippi (both state coast line and the river) are warm and calm enough for major fishing.
#9: Anon...'s opinion[]
I think that Panem fell behind due to the fact that they did not have very good land and lots of their clever people died, so they forgot stuff. However Europe, Africa and Asia formed a super state and prosphered because The deserts in Africa became fertile land due to rain and the sea level rising and Also lots of people hid in the Himalayas for a bit when the floods happened so very few people died
#10: Joseph's Opinion[]
First of all, I believe a Nuke war started it and all the other disasters were a result of high levels of radiation in the atmosphere from the war caused extreme global warming, which caused the other disasters. Look at prehistory, they tell you an a change of global temp of only a few degrees often has catastrophic results. I believe Katniss listed the apocalypse events out-of-order.
Europe: The UK took part in the war on the US side. What wasn't destroyed by nukes was destroyed by the rising sea levels Katniss mentioned. 95% of the UK population died.Most of western Europe was destroyed by these rising sea levels also, with some hurricanes for good measure. 50% of western Europe population was killed. HOWEVER; most of central/eastern Europe was saved, as the sea level rise was only about 100 miles inland, and many French escaped into these areas. Europe now contains the country of New France, and most of the modern eastern European countries are still there(though hurt by a drought), including Russia, who remains similar in size to how it is today. They are the most powerful nation on the planet and have connected the remaining European countries with the remaining Asian countries, allowing trade to flourish. They realize that "with great power comes great responsibility" and are therefor similar to the U.S. today.
Asia: China and North Korea both took part in the nuke war. North Korea was wiped off the face of the map and China suffered a similar fate to the United States (which is having most/all major cities destroyed). Japan was destroyed by rising sea levels and hurricanes, as was India, though many Indians were saved by fleeing to the Himalayas. Western China, the area between the Black and Caspian seas, and central Asia were hurt by drought but now trade with Europe, excluding a major new central Asia superpower who are a lot like Panem. Russia and this country have a similar relationship as the USSR and the US had in the Cold War, with some small wars but never escalating into full-scale World War IV. The Asian super power suffers a similar fate to Panem : the government collapses from rebellion.
Africa: The coastal areas were badly damaged but the inland was safe until the drought which drove nearly waterless the already dry land, killing many. Some nations recovered however.
South America: Suffered one of the worst fates. Many people in Peru/ Chile fled to the Andes, but the mountains were to close to the ocean and suffered heavily under the hurricanes, storms etc. The close proximity to the ocean also caused many people to flee very high into the mountains unlike the more secluded Himalayas. The lack of a middle atmosphere (likely caused by radiation) mentioned by a character in the book series caused many of these people to suffocate slowly as the middle atmosphere slowly dissolved over the years. For those east of the Andes, fleeing didn't work either. Panama was quickly swallowed up by the rising sea levels and the Atlantic was far to stormy for boats or aircraft. Civilization east of the Andes were ultimately destroyed by hurricanes, rising sea levels, drought, and panic. Today, little to none of humanity there is left.
Australia/Oceania: No humanity is left. Oceania had all of its islands quickly swallowed by the sea and Australia's inhabitants fled into the Outback. But fleeing into such a dry area didn't help when the drought came. The survivors then turned on each other.
I also believe Panem will eventually make contact with these surviving nations. It's possible that they already knew about them but Snow didn't tell as he didn't want silly people who thought they could cross the Atlantic in a rowboat running away left and right. And I bet these people would be many.
(As for South Korea, he said that it was destroyed by rising sea levels)
#11: 109.255.99.82's opinion[]
I don't really agree with everyone who thinks that there would have been so many volcanoes, earthquakes and Tsunamis that magically submerge whole continents. There would of course be other, more realistic environmental damages like massive droughts and some flooding (but not at the scale previously mentioned, like Australia being completely wiped off the map)
I think that the world would have faced resource wars as oil became scarce and possibly some nuclear warfare was involved. With less oil whole countries would have collapsed due to a lack of communications and this worsened with climate change. The climate change would have caused sea level rise in some areas and drought. Climate refugees would have to escape from coastal areas only to find famine because of the droughts. This led to massive population decrease and wars over food.
Maybe North America was destroyed by nuclear weapons, (maybe from Iran in one of the USA's oil wars?) which could explain Panem's low population compared to now. Maybe the Capitol was formed Rockies because it was one of the least affected areas by the nuclear war. Maybe the President of the USA escaped there and Panem became the successor state of the USA, eventually taking all of North America. The districts were probably pockets of survivors scattered around.
South America would face many of the problems I listed above. The Amazon is quite low lying so a lot of it could have been flooded. Right now South America seems to be going for economic integration and socialism which might be advantageous in this situation. Things would be rationed and shared, but millions would still die. Some radiation would come from North America, however it is unlikely to be directly attacked with nuclear weapons. So maybe it could even have a higher population than Panem.
Africa would face some desertification, but it would probably be one of the least damaged continents (which isn't saying much). Like south America, it probably wasn't directly attacked with nuclear weapons. It might face radiation from other places though.
The Middle East would have faced the problems I mentioned at the start, and probably also nuclear war after its oil wars with the USA.
Again, Europe would face drought and sea level rise. Netherlands and Denmark would be flooded. Italy, Spain, France, Greece would have terrible droughts. Maybe the European Union held together and barely managed to ration food, or it could have collapsed all together. It may or may not participate in a nuclear war, but it would get some fallout from the Middle East.
Russia probably faced little flooding and droughts. If it was wise, it stayed out of the atomic wars, especially since it already owns enough resources. If it did take part, it might have moved its Capital to the Ural mountains for protection, like the Capitol in the Rockies. Russia would have been somewhat effected by radiation from the Middle East. Its government probably stayed strong and might have invaded its weaker neighbors like Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus and maybe even the rest of Europe since it offered some security from chaos and famine.
A lot of Asia's coasts were flooded. Bangladesh and East China, where it's major cities are, were worst hit. China is an emerging superpower so it could have taken part in nuclear wars. Either way, over a billion people died of famine, disease and war. After years of anarchy, regional governments were formed.
In Australia the usual happened: drought, famine sea level rise and anarchy.
#12: 99.65.229.87's opinion[]
I think there was a nuclear war involving USA and UK vs. China and North Korea and another nuclear war involving India vs. Pakistan and Iran also there was a large rise in sea level due to global warming In Europe Spain Austria Greece and Russia would be the surviving countries Switzerland would survive for a bit but it would eventually be invaded by Austria. Spain would have probably survived because it would suffer almost no flooding or war Spain would then invade Portugal North Africa Italy and France. France would be contaminated from Radiation from the UK since London would be nuked and Paris would be under water all of Italy’s big cities would be underwater. Eastern Europe would be split between Austria and Russia. Greece would be center on trade it might be invaded but guerrilla warfare would be very effective because of its mountains and its people that are more warlike than in Switzerland. In Asia Tibet Nepal Bhutan and Mongolia and would take advantage of India and china’s weakness which include radiation flooding and nuclear war and easily invade and conquer them Turkey and Saudi Arabia would dominate the Middle East Russia would have conquered all former soviet republics the rest of Asia would only have little villages or be flooded The remaining pieces of Australia and New Zealand would unite and be the only democracy in the world due to their isolation
In Africa Spain would rule North Africa and Saudi Arabia would rule East Africa. South Africa would dominate the rest of the continent. South America would be split between Argentina and Brazil.
i got my flood data from http://globalfloodmap.org/ (i put the water level at 4000 inches)
What do you think?