Road signs and road markings

Driving is now one of the basic skills that every person of legal (18+) age, must learn. Somehow at my age, it might be late for me to learn how to drive a automobile but I am learning and somehow I am able to do it smoothly.

Enough said, this is a post for those who are planning to learn how to drive and to those drivers out there who just wanted to read this post. Well, this is all for us, readers.

Without any further ado, let's start with the road signs and road markings.

WARNING SIGNS:

This is the symbol of a road warning sign, this vary among other locations.

Dangerous bend
It indicates that there is a "dangerous bend" in the road ahead of you, the sign is usually outlined with a red colour with a "Z" or zigzag sign in the centre.

Dangerous left bend

It indicates that there is a "dangerous left bend" in the road ahead of you, the sign is usually outlined with a red colour with an arrow that's going left.

Dangerous right bend

It indicates that there is a "dangerous right bend" in the road ahead of you, the sign is usually outlined with a red colour with an arrow that's going right.

Dangerous double left/right bend

It indicates that there is a "double left/right bend" in the road ahead of you, the sign is usually outlined with a red colour with an arrow that's going left and upwards.

Approach to Intersection

It indicates that you are approaching an intersection road ahead. An intersection is the junction at grade of two (2) or more roads either meeting or crossing. There are types of intersection(s): T-junction, Y-junction and crossroads (4 or more roads meeting or crossing).

Crossroad(s)

It indicates that there will be a crossroad ahead of you. Crossroad is a type of road intersection having 4 or more roads meeting or crossing in a certain area.

Intersection side road (left and right)

It indicates that there is a minor road (left or right side) along the intersection, careful driving must be observed as the driver on the minor roads don't have a clear view of the traffic.

Intersection merging traffic

It indicates that there are two road going in the same direction and are about to merge into one road ahead of you, the drivers on both roads are equally responsible for seeing the traffic merges smoothly and safely.

Traffic light

It indicates that there will be traffic lights ahead. Drivers are advised to slow down, too. Usually, traffic lights are used in cities and metropolitan areas that have medium to heavy traffics in day-to-day basis.

Road work(s)

It simply indicates that there is/are road work(s) ongoing and drivers are advised to drive slowly to avoid road accidents.

Pedestrian crossing

It indicates that there will be a pedestrians crossing ahead, it is usually located near traffic lights and/or in front of schools, colleges, universities, commercial establishments, shopping malls, airports and etc. Drivers are advised to drive slowly and carefully on these areas.

Narrow road(s) ahead

It indicates that there will be a narrow (left, right or both) road ahead. Drivers are advised to drive cautiously during this instances.

Uneven road ahead

It indicates that there will be an uneven road ahead. Again, drive carefully.

Steep Ascend / Steep Descend

It indicates that the road's gonna be steep ahead of you. Reminder, ALWAYS go to the lowest gear (on all transmissions) possible when ascending/descending to prevent accident.

Road slippery when wet

It indicates that the road is slippery when wet. Drivers are advised to cautiously adjust your speed under these circumstances to prevent accidents.

Roundabout ahead

It simply indicates that there is a roundabout (fil. rotunda) ahead. Roundabout is a type of circular intersection in which road traffic flows almost continuously in one direction around a central island.

Two-way traffic ahead

It simply indicates that a two-way traffic is ahead of you.




PROHIBITORY SIGNS:

This is the symbol of a prohibitory sign, this vary among other locations.
It also signifies that no vehicles, on both directions (including bicycles) can enter the area.

No entry for jeepneys (Philippine prohibitory sign)
It has a silhouette of a jeepney in the center of the prohibitory sign.

No left turn

No parking

No U-Turn

No right turn

No overtaking

No entry for all vehicular traffic

No blowing of horns

Restrictive Signs: signs that are quantitative in nature e.g. speed limit, weight limit, etc.

No vehicles over height shown

No vehicles over width shown

Maximum speed in kilometres per hour

No vehicles over axle shown

No vehicles over weight shown

No vehicles over length shown

Take note that the figures above are incomplete. But these are the common road signs. For the informative signs that I have yet to know, I will update this post.

Image sources: Wikipedia Commons

Information source: Personal knowledge

Read More

Official Seal of Polomolok

Official Name: Municipality of Polomolok

Other names:

Income Classification: 1st Class Municipality

Region: XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)

Province: South Cotabato

Area: 131.26 sq. mi.

Area Elevation: 1,000 ft. above sea level

Population (2010): 138,273

Pop. Density: 1,100/sq mi

Language(s): Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Tagalog, English

Demonym: Polomolokano(s), taga-Polomolok

Postal Code: 9504

Dialing Code: 083 or 83

Official Website:

Nicknamed as the agro-industrial and suburban municipality due to it's unrelenting economic boost and fast urbanization of the town through the years. Polomolok is located at the southern part of Mindanao and the positioned at the political boundary of South Cotabato and General Santos City. The town's economic source is agronomy, agriculture and commercial industry(ies).

The town is also home of the multinational giant, Dole Philippines Incorporated, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company based in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Polomolok is also famous of its tropical rainforest climate with an average precipitation value of least 125 mm. The town is also in a typhoon-free region. The average temperature is 27.50°C.


How to get to Polomolok?

Polomolok can only be accessed by land travel. But can be reached by sea and air from General Santos City's airport and seaport.

via Land: Polomolok Transport Terminal
Yellow Bus Line offers travel to Polomolok from:
General Santos City
Davao City
Koronadal City

Husky Bus Line offers travel to Polomolok from:
General Santos City
Cotabato City
Koronadal City

UV Express Service Van offers travel to Polomolok from:
General Santos City
Koronadal City

Yellow Bus Line, Husky Bus Line are based in General Santos Transport Terminal in Bulaong, General Santos City. While UV Express Service Van(s) are stationed at: KCC Mall of Gensan, Gen. Santos Transport Terminal, Petron Gasoline Station (near Notre Dame of Dadiangas University).

You can also hire taxis from General Santos in these areas:

• SM City General Santos, San Miguel St., General Santos City
• General Santos International Airport, Tambler, General Santos City
• Crossing Makar, Apopong, General Santos City

Any questions? Feel free to write me an e-mail.

Source(s): Personal knowledge, Wikipedia, Dole Food Company

Read More

Official Seal of the City of General Santos

Official Name: General Santos City

Other names: Dadiangas, Gensan

Income Classification: 1st Class City (Highly-urbanized City)

Region: XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)

Province: South Cotabato (administered independently but grouped under South Cotabato, geographically)

Area: 190.29 sq. mi.

Area Elevation: 49.2 ft. above sea level

Population (2010): 538.086

Pop. Density: 2,800/sq. mi.

Language(s): Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Tagalog, English

Demonym: Generals / Heneral

Postal Code: 9500

Dialing Code: 083 or 83

Official Website: www.gensantos.gov.ph

Being dubbed as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos is located at the southernmost part of the Mindanao Island in the Philippines. The city's major economic source is agriculture and fishing industry.

The city is also the economic hub of the entire Region XII, making it the one-stop destination of the south. The city also houses two (2) Universities and several educational institutions.

The city is also the shopping capital of the region, here are the most popular shopping destinations in the city:

• KCC Mall of Gensan
• SM City General Santos
• Robinsons Place General Santos
• Veranza Mall
• Gaisano Mall of Gensan

If you are travelling in the city, there are hotels that you can choose from the 1-star to 4-star hotels, for more details, please download TripAdvisor on Play Store (for Android) and Appstore (for iOS devices).

If you are planning to study in General Santos, the city houses two (2) Universities namely Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and Mindanao State University.

If you're looking for a foodtrip around the city, there is a place in Lagao that you can visit and eat, Tiongson Arcade offers a wide variety of seafood and other local dishes!

How to go to General Santos?

via Air: General Santos International Airport (GES)

Cebu Pacific Air offers flights to General Santos from:

Manila (MNL)

Cebu (CEB)

Iloilo (ILO)

Philippine Airlines offers flights to General Santos from:

Manila (MNL)

Iloilo (ILO) through PAL Express (owned and operated by Philippine Airlines)

Tigerair Philippines offers flights to General Santos from:
Manila (MNL)

via Land: General Santos Integrated Bus Terminal (Bulaong Terminal)
Yellow Bus Line offers travel to General Santos from:
Davao City
Koronadal City and South Cotabato
Isulan and Sultan Kudarat (including Tacurong City)
Digos City

Husky Bus Line offers travel to General Santos from:
Cotabato City
Koronadal City
Isulan, SK
Tacurong City

Holiday Bus Line offers travel to General Santos from:
Koronadal City and South Cotabato
Davao City

via Sea: Port of General Santos
There are daily and weekly travels from Manila to General Santos, though not yet confirmed.
Tip: Visit the website of the 2GO Travel to know more.

Source: LGU General Santos, Wikipedia, 2GO Travel website

Read More

Stages of Love Relationships

STAGE 1 (1-3 Months): The Knowing Each Other Stage

Everything seems perfect, both are happy and feeling “in love.” You share moments, dates and just having fun with each other, sharing laughs and giggles. It’s like nothing could stop you. Your feelings are infinite, and for once you’re thinking, “This may work out….” and it seems like nothing could go wrong. You spend hours getting ready before going out with this person.

*If your relationship ended in this stage — Most likely, both rushed into the relationship too quickly. Being together was all too sudden and just for the moment. When one starts noticing the flaws, one gets a choice to move foward, or back away. Being friends has a high percentage of working out, but nothing to stress over. Both may just need the time to get to know one another better.

STAGE 2 (4-6 months): The Bumpy Road

Things are going okay now. The relationship is calm and settled; both are still mostly happy. Had a couple arguments and disagreements here and there, nothing huge. Start to notice some of each other’s flaws and aspects of their personalities not seen before, but still truly care for one another. 

*If your relationship ended in this stage — You truly cared about this person. You had the energy to fight for this person, yet you feel as if something was lacking, something was missing. It doesn’t feel right, one isn’t happy. When one isn’t happy, one tends to walk away to seek their new happiness. Being friends is still a possibility.

STAGE 3 (7-12 months): The Rocky Mountain

You start to realize who your partner really is. A few more arguments may occur. Problems with jealously, overprotectiveness may arise. Other people may come in the picture. The “in love” moments start to decrease, but you feel as if you’ve “fallen in love.” You tend to have this energy inside to strive and “make it work,” and you feel more comfortable being around this person, feeling more of yourself. 

*If your relationship ends in this stage — You feel as if you’re hurt, depending on the circumstances. You were so sure that that person was “The One.” You were so SURE that he/she was different. But like a cancer, a problem that may have happened, a small issue, grew into something larger that took over what was made between two people. You still miss this person from time to time. You still remember the memories. Being friends may be difficult right away, but over time, you slowly mature up, and learn the reality of it.

STAGE 4 (1 year or more): The Long Road

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years, huh? This person truly means something to you. You are “in love” with this person. He/she made a difference in your life. No one else knows you more than this person. You guys have been through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and still strive to make it last.

*If your relationship ends in this stage — You feel heartbroken; it’s tough. You can’t sleep, can’t eat, you miss him/her, you try to move on, you try meeting new people, but seems like nothing works. For whatever reason the split occured, it must’ve been something important, or something must have been so wrong that it took over. Being “just friends” is impossible, because if you tried to be friends, you wouldn’t be able to think of them in any other way besides the one you once “loved”.

Tweet

Read More

Insider: Call Center Agent

DISCLAIMER: Contents in this post may have mature content and I wrote this to share my thoughts to the people who wants to know the life of a "virgin" call center agent.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING — the most common opening spiel in every call center industry not only here in the Philippines but also throughout the globe. I am about to share my experience and my thoughts in mind on how different life is when you are a call center agent.

Before I graduated in college, I told myself that I have a bigger chance to be an agent, even though my mom don't want me to get into that kind of job, but I have to take the risks to get a job as soon as possible. Even my mother told me "wag na wag kang mag call center JR kasi masisira ang kalusugan mo't magsilabasan yang sakit sayo". But then as soon as I set my foot to Metro Cebu, I applied to many of the companies in Cebu IT Park in Lahug, but I was successfully accepted to the job that I was expecting to, in a Call Center.

It was July when I had my training. The training was on a specific account; an account I am referring to is the one you are assigned depending on what type of job did you apply to, if you are a plain Customer Service Representative or Technical Support Representative and eventually I was a Level 2 TSR and was assigned to a technical account. Together with all other new hires (some are already in a call center) we were trained how to fix, create an order and everything that is needed to cater the customers' issues/concerns. I successfully passed the training and was endorsed to take live calls.

It was the 3rd week of September when we were endorsed to the production floor, where all other agents take live calls, at first I was a little bit confused. Within this time I knew that our scores are major-based according to the Customer's Satisfaction or CSAT as the acronym. We should comply to the passing score in order to pass to regularization. It was also my first time to wake up much earlier to go to work. My life is like work - 2 days rest - work, just like that, I never expected that it will be more difficult for me to adjust my body clock in order not to be late at work cause I know time is very important in a BPO Industry. Well, I had a lot of absences and tardiness and was told that if I want to be regularized don't be absent or be late because it will affect my scorecard.

In the middle of taking calls and whatnot, I suddenly realized that everything in my life when I started to have illnesses that I never got before is not good. Sudden loss of weight, loss of appetite, insomnia and some other illnesses. Then I thought as much as my co-workers also knew, that I am very exhausted anymore with this job. Call center industry offers a really good start of salary, allowances and benefits, but in the long run I also realized that it is not worthy if your health is at risk. I am very concern to my health and as much as I am also concerned to my co-workers, friends and family. I finally concluded my thoughts and end up in a decision that I hope will be good.

I am not saying that call centers are bad jobs people, I just want you to know that it is not an easy job. You will take risks to be able to get a higher pay and higher position.

I would like to give my sincerest thank you to all my colleagues who motivates me everyday to go to work and to my families and friends for listening to my words and especially to my only one who inspires me to work.

Now, I am currently looking for a job that is good for me and that I will hopefully love. Though maybe my pay will be much lower than my previous job, it is okay cause at least, Ill be happy, and contented to my work.

God bless to all of you! Job hunting is not easy though! ;-)

Tweet

Read More

General Santos City proposed as separate legislative district

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – South Cotabato officials are pushing for the separation of this city into a separate legislative district before the May 2013 midterm national and local elections.

Current legislative districts of South Cotabato province and General Santos City

Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes (South Cotabato, 2nd District) said Friday they are presently working for the referral to the committee on local government of House Bill (HB) 6038 or “an act reapportioning the composition of the first (1st) and second (2nd) legislative districts in the province of South Cotabato and thereby creating a new legislative district from such reapportionment” when Congress resumes its sessions next week.

She said they expect the committee to immediately schedule the hearings for the proposed measure, which was filed by Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. (South Cotabato & Gen. Santos City, 1st District) last March 19. “Right now, our target is to have this bill passed and hold the first elections for the reconfigured districts in [May] 2013,” she said.

Fuentes, who is the bill’s co-author, said the measure mainly provides for the reapportioning of the present composition of South Cotabato’s first and second congressional or legislative districts.

She said the reconfiguration will pave the way for the creation of a separate or lone congressional district for this city.

 

The first district presently comprises this city and the municipalities of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok in South Cotabato. The second district is composed of Koronadal City and the municipalities of Tantangan, Banga, T’boli, Surallah, Sto.Nino, Norala and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

Under HB 6038, Fuentes said South Cotabato’s first district will be reshaped into the towns of Polomolok, Tupi, Tampakan and T’boli. Koronadal City and the six remaining towns will compose the province’s second district.

“We decided on this reconfiguration with the consideration of pushing later on for the creation of another separate district for Koronadal City,” she said.

Proposed reapportionment for South Cotabato province and General Santos City

Koronadal, which is a component city of South Cotabato, is the province’s capital and the seat of Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region.

The city, which has a population of 538,086 based on the 2010 census, has long been classified as an independent and highly-urbanized locality but it has remained a part of South Cotabato’s first
congressional district.

It was originally a component of the undivided Cotabato empire province until Congress approved its charter in 1968.

Based on the 2010 census, the municipalities of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok of South Cotabato posted a combined population of 236,370, which is short of the 250,000 population requirement for the creation of a new congressional district.

The authors carved out T’boli town, which has a population of 79,175, from the second district to complete the population requirement.

Early last year, the South Cotabato provincial board passed Resolution No. 5, which sought for the separation of General Santos City from the province’s legislative configuration and the re-apportionment of the area’s existing districts.

Vice Gov. Elmo Tolosa, co-author of the resolution, said the proposal would significantly benefit the province in terms of increased allocation from the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund
or PDAF and guaranteed representation at the House of Representatives for local constituents.

Tolosa said they believe that being a first class province, there’s a need for South Cotabato to have more representation in Congress to cope with its rapid growth in terms of economic and social development.

With a population of 827,200 based on the 2010 census, the province’s total population was projected to reach around 851,000 this year based on its annual average growth rate of 1.46 percent.

Source: MindaNews

Tweet

Read More

BayanTel's Lola Techie meets SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Bayan Telecommunications (Bayan) brings it's popular brand ambassador and the 'Net Generation's favorite lola - Lola Techie - to the vibrant and bustling city of General Santos to take part in a series of activities in conjunction with the city government's computer literacy training program for senior citizens.

Bayan has partnered with city government of General Santos thru it's S.H.E.E.P. - Computer Literacy Program (SHEEP-CLP) and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (abbrev. OSCA) in its mission to continue propagate its award-winning Teach Lola advocacy campaign that is geared towards encouraging the older generation to connect with present Internet Generation by breaking the digital divide spawned by the generation gap by way of learning computer skills that will get them connected to world via the World Wide Web.

Lola Techie featuring the SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers

In a culmination program organized by the city government's SHEEP-Computer Literacy Program and the OSCA dubbed "Lola Techie salutes the Generals" held at the atrium of Robinsons Place mall, Bayan's likeable Lola Techie lead the roster of special guests from both Bayan and the city government of General Santos spearheaded by Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio, in presenting the certificate of completion to the more than 100 participants who have undergone the three-day computer literacy workshop.

As the inspirational speaker at the event, Lola Techie told the GenSan's senior citizens graduates of the program to never stop learning and asked them to continuously keep abreast with the changing times by way of mastery of the use of computers as a medium of communication.

She cited Bayan and the City Government of General Santos for their untiring commitment in helping the senior citizens, whom she said comprises now the majority of the nation's population, become more useful and productive citizens of our society.

Lola Techie said she is glad that Bayan as a service provider and technology company continues to bring to the market product and services like different DSL internet packages and bundles that are affordable, reliable and easy to use.

Wacky pose with Lola Techie ☺

She also provided words of encouragement to the audience gathered by telling them not to look at their old age as a hindrance to be able to connect with today's younger generations as well as the coming future generations, but rather see it as a vital tool to connect with the present generation because of the vast learning experiences that they can offer to them from all that they have gone thru their lives.

A highlight of the program was the turn-over by the City Mayor's Office of five (5) brand new computer sets and Bayan Telecommunications' donation of internet connection to the OSCA in support of the City Government's computer literacy program.

The said donation will be used to continue offering of FREE training on basic computer operations and Facebook to interested and bona fide senior citizens of the city.

SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers inspired Lola Techie to own and create a blog on her own. Let's wait for that. ☺

Tweet

Read More

The Hunger Games: Panem's 12 Districts

The Hunger Games Trilogy is a young-adult adventure science fiction written by Suzanne Collins. The trilogy consists of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and the The Mockingjay. The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in an unidentified future time period after the destruction of the current nations of North America, in a nation known as "Panem." Panem used to consist of a rich Capitol, located somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, and twelve (formerly thirteen until one is destroyed) surrounding, poorer districts which cater to the Capitol's needs. As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol wherein twelve of the districts were defeated and the thirteenth destroyed, every year one boy and one girl from each of the remaining twelve districts, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are selected by lottery and forced to participate in the "Hunger Games." The Games are a televised event where the participants, called "tributes," must fight to the death in a dangerous outdoor arena until only one remains. The winning tribute and his/her corresponding district is then rewarded handsomely. Every citizen of Panem is required to view The Games.

The Hunger Games takes place in an unidentified future time period after the destruction of North America, in a nation known as Panem. Panem consists of a wealthy Capitol and twelve surrounding, poorer districts. District 12, where the book begins, is located in the coal-rich region that was formerly Appalachia.

As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol, every year, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district are selected by lottery and forced to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised event in which the participants, or "tributes," must fight to the death in a dangerous, outdoor arena, controlled by the Capitol, until only one remains. The story follows 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, a girl from District 12, who volunteers for the 74th Games in place of her younger sister, Primrose. Also participating from District 12 is Peeta Mellark, a baker's son whom Katniss knows from school and who once gave her bread when her family was starving.

Katniss and Peeta are taken to the Capitol, where their mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, a former Hunger Games victor, instructs them to learn about the other tributes. They are then publicly displayed to the Capitol audience. During this time, Peeta reveals on-air his long-time unrequited love for Katniss. Katniss believes this to be a ploy to gain audience support for the Games, which can be crucial for survival, as audience members are encouraged to send gifts like food, medicine, and tools to favored tributes during the Games. The Games begin with eleven of the 24 tributes dying in the first day, while Katniss relies on her well-practiced hunting and outdoor skills to survive. As the games continue, the tribute death toll increases. Days later, Katniss develops a short alliance with a twelve year-old girl from District 11, Rue, who reminds Katniss of her sister Prim. When Rue is killed by another tribute, Katniss shoots him through the side of the neck with one of her arrows and comforts dying Rue. She sings to her, and then spreads flowers all over her body as a sign of disgust towards the Capitol.

Supposedly due to Katniss and Peeta's beloved image in the minds of the audience as "star-crossed lovers," a rule change is announced midway through the games, stating that two tributes from the same district can win the Hunger Games as a pair. Upon hearing this, Katniss searches for Peeta and finds him wounded. She nurses him back to health and acts the part of a young girl falling in love to gain more favor with the audience and, consequently, gifts from her sponsors. When the couple are finally the last two tributes, the Gamemakers suddenly reverse the rule change and try to force them into a dramatic finale, where one must kill the other to win. Katniss, in the hopes that the Gamemakers would rather have two victors than none, retrieves the poison berries called “nightlock” from her pouch and offers some to Peeta. Upon realising that Katniss and Peeta mean to commit suicide, the Gamemakers announce that both will be the victors of the 74th Hunger Games.

Though she survives the ordeal in the arena and is treated to a hero's welcome in the Capitol, Katniss is warned by Haymitch that she has now become a political target after defying her society's authoritarian leaders so publicly. Afterwards, Peeta is heartbroken to learn that their relationship was at least partially a calculated ploy to earn sympathy from the audience, although Katniss remains unsure of her own feelings.

 Here I will discuss the 12 Districts, the Capitol and District 13.

The Capitol's Seal

The city of the Capitol, seat of Panem's totalitarian government, is located in the northwestern Rocky Mountains of the former United States & Canada and is the home of dictator President Coriolanus Snow. The Hunger Games were conceived by Panem's government in the aftermath of a rebellion known only as the Dark Days.

Capitol citizens are shown to be mostly preoccupied with fashion, food, and entertainment. Dyes, tattoos, wigs, and costumes of myriad style and vivid colors are all the rage. Plastic surgery and other extreme makeovers are commonplace. A prime example is Tigris, a character in Mockingjay, a former stylist who has had plastic surgery to make her look like a cat, including whiskers and a very small nose. At parties, the selection of dishes is commonly far greater than would allow a single person to try everything. Guests often drink an emetic to vomit the food they have consumed in order to enjoy more. The entire population of the Capitol eagerly anticipates the annual Hunger Games as the highlight of the year's entertainment. Capitol citizens manifest almost no concern for or even awareness of the desperate, starvation-level poverty conditions in which most district citizens live, or the tremendous injustice and tragedy of the Hunger Games. It appears that most of the citizens from the Capitol have names taken from ancient Rome and ancient Greece.

The District One Seal

District 1 makes luxury items for the Capitol. It appears that all the people from District 1 are named for an attribute of some luxury item. Children there take pride in competing in the Games, and are among the group of tributes nicknamed "Careers", who train for the Games (illegally) from a young age and then volunteer to compete. Once the Games begin, the tributes from the Careers districts tend to band together until they are forced to fight among themselves, and a disproportionate number of Hunger Games winners are Careers.

The District Two Seal

It is a large district set in the Rocky Mountains not far from the Capitol itself. The district is made up of many small villages, each based around a mine. In the midst of District 2 is a central mountain (referred to as "The Nut" by Katniss) which contains the command and control apparatus for the Capitol's defenses. Originally District 2 specialized only in mining and stone cutting, but after the Dark Days war it was also tasked with production of weapons.

During the Dark Days, District 2 was the Capitol's staunchest ally and after that rebellion was over, it received preferential treatment from the Capitol. Its citizens have better living conditions.

In the third book, during the second rebellion, District 2 once again supported the Capitol and was the last district to fall to the rebels. It was one of the few districts whose citizens did not attempt to revolt against the Capitol. Many of the Peacekeepers and a disproportionate number of Victors have come from District 2.

The District Three Seal

The District specializes in electronics. Most of its inhabitants work in factories and are very adept with engineering. Some people think of District 3 as weak, but their intelligence provides many benefits. Its tributes tend to use this to their advantage. In the 74th Hunger Games, the District 3 tribute managed to create a mine field cobbled together from the starting plates. One of previous victors to come from District 3, Beetee, won his games by setting a trap that electrocuted many of the other tributes. He was chosen as a Victor to compete in the 75th Hunger Games, where he attempted to use the wire that came from the Cornucopia to destroy the force field surrounding the arena using the lightning that came in a certain hour. It was Katniss, however, who finished the job before being collected by the hovercraft. Their district bread is a small, square roll.

The District Four Seal

This District fishes for the Capitol, and is another wealthy district from which Careers hail. In the 74th Hunger games, Katniss kills the girl from 4 by dropping a Tracker Jacker nest on her. Katniss finds important allies in the 75th Hunger Games in the Victors from District 4, Mags and Finnick. Mags was an elderly woman and could make a fishing hook "out of anything," and Finnick's weapon of choice is a trident. Mags was Finnick's mentor in the Hunger Games. Annie Cresta, who later becomes Finnick's wife, also comes from District 4 and is a Victor who won by her swimming skill. It is said that District 4 has the most "decent-looking" people. Its bread is a salty, fish-shaped loaf tinted green by seaweed.

The District Five Seal

The District's industry is power. The girl tribute from District 5 in the 74th Hunger Games is known as "Foxface" because she looks similar to a fox, with a slim face and sleek red hair; her real name is never mentioned. She was one of the last to die because she was very clever. No description or name was given to the boy from District 5, except he was one of the eleven that died on the first day. In the 75th Hunger Games, Finnick killed the male tribute with his trident at the cornucopia on the first day.

The District Six Seal

The District's industry is Transportation. Not much else is known about this district other than both tributes in the 75th Games protected Katniss and Peeta. They were both addicted to "morphling" a morphine-like pain relief medication, the book suggesting that morphling addiction may have been a district-wide issue. During the 74th Hunger Games both male and female tributes were killed during the first day.

The District Seven Seal

District 7 specializes in lumber and paper. One of Katniss' allies in the 75th Hunger Games was Johanna Mason, who was very good with an axe. Apparently a large portion of District 7's forest is pine, as Mason comments that pine needles "smell like home."

The District Eight Seal

District 8 specializes in textiles and has at least one factory where Peacekeeper uniforms are made. Two people from District 8, Bonnie and Twill, escaped during one of the uprisings and informed Katniss of the theory that District 13 still existed. It is implied that security is strict in 8, and the citizens are desperate for hope. District 8 was also one of the first districts to rebel, as Katniss saw on Mayor Undersee's television. In the third book, Katniss visits a hospital in District 8, which is later bombed by the Capitol. The leader of District 8, Paylor, becomes President of Panem after President Snow has died and Katniss has assassinated President Coin. Even before she became president, Paylor's soldiers were apparently loyal to her, ignoring Coin's orders when she commanded. None of District 8's Tributes are mentioned much in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games other than Peeta finished off the female tribute in the 74th Hunger Games.

The District Nine Seal

The industry of District 9 is grain. It is mentioned once that District 9 has many factories. The District 9 boy tribute in the 74th Hunger Games is described as having hazel eyes, but whether that is a trait of his region is not stated. He died in the bloodbath after fighting with Katniss over a backpack when he was knifed in the back by Clove, the District 2 tribute.

The District Ten Seal

District 10 specializes in livestock. Katniss meets a man named Dalton when she arrives in District 13, who is a District 10 cattle farmer. His task is to implant frozen cow embryos to increase the diversity of the herd. He seems cynical, and is distrustful of District 13. Katniss does not note any major tributes from District 10, except one boy with a crippled leg who is mentioned several times. At the 75th Hunger Games, Katniss notes that the District 10 tributes, who are dressed as cows, have flaming belts on as if they are broiling themselves, in poor imitation of Cinna's techniques to showcase Katniss at the Games.

The District Eleven Seal

District 11 specializes in agriculture. It is located somewhere in the south and is very large. The people are housed in small shacks and there is a harsh peace-keeping force. Common traits are dark skin and brown eyes. According to Rue, many tracker jacker nests were left there, leading the workers to keep medicinal leaves on hand. In the orchards small children were sent into the branches to pick the highest fruit. Sometimes during the height of the harvest they were given night-vision goggles to allow them to work after dark. The district also contained fields of grain and vegetables. The inhabitants apparently had extensive knowledge of herbs.

The District Twelve Seal

District 12 mines coal for the Capitol. Katniss, Peeta, and other major characters come from District 12. It is located in the Appalachian Mountains, and the district itself is split into two areas housing two distinct social classes. "The Seam" is a slum where those who work in the coal mines live, whereas the mercantile class lives in the town. Both classes are easy to distinguish physically: those from the Seam generally have dark hair, grey eyes and olive skin, and those from merchant families usually have blond hair and blue eyes.

District 12 is very poor, and starvation is a major issue for the citizens. Due the lack of food, the local Capitol authority figures — the Mayor and Peacekeepers — often bend the extremely strict Panem laws. The fence surrounding the district and preventing access to the woods is often not electrified, and Katniss and her friend Gale often hunt there for food for their families or to raise money by selling their catches in the local black market. The black market, located at an old coal warehouse named the Hob, was where many of the citizens made their money. The Hob was destroyed by the Peacekeepers in Catching Fire. This was followed by the bombing of the whole district after the escape of the tributes during the 75th Hunger Games. However, Gale managed to evacuate about 10% of the population—"a little under 900 people"—to District 13.

District 12 has only won two Hunger Games prior to the events of the first book; its only living victor, Haymitch Abernathy, survived the second Quarter Quell, where there were twice as many tributes as usual.

After the war, it is hinted in Mockingjay that District 12 will produce medicine and start growing some food for Panem instead of producing coal.

The District 13

Prior to the Dark Days war, District 13 worked in nuclear technology and mined graphite. During the Dark Days they were one of the major forces of the rebellion. Near the end of the Dark Days they managed to take control of the nuclear arsenal. District 13 was supposedly bombed and destroyed before the first annual Hunger Games at the end of the Dark Days war, but it is hinted and later confirmed in Catching Fire that they have survived, and in Mockingjay it's confirmed that District 13 literally became an underground district when the population retreated to bunkers. The Capitol has spread the story that District 13 was destroyed after the Capitol and District 13 agreed to leave each other alone since District 13 made nuclear weapons and the Capitol didn't want a nuclear war. Also, this underground district has its own farms that they survive on after the Capitol destroyed everything above ground so as not to arouse suspicion. This was something that, according to Katniss, that Capitol had underestimated.

In Mockingjay, District 13 is the center of the new rebellion. The lifestyle in 13 is very strict due to their circumstances. When a citizen wakes up, he or she acquires a temporary tattoo of their personalized schedule for the day. They are also very thrifty and ration food carefully—even a small thing wasted is heavily frowned on, and minor theft is punished by cruel detention. Everyone over the age of 14 is addressed respectfully as "Soldier", since almost everyone in District 13 around the time of the novels is being raised for a military rebellion against the Capitol. The leader of District 13 is President Alma Coin, who aspires to succeed Snow as President of Panem and has orchestrated the events of books two and three to circumvent District 13's truce with the Capitol. Coin is later assassinated by Katniss.

Photo credits to the Official Hunger Games Capitol Website.

Tweet to @TheCapitolPN

Read More