North America

North America
Title	North America
Area	24,709,000 km²
Population	~592 million
Population density	24.9/km²
GDP nominal	~$29.01 trillion
Countries	23
Dependencies	22
Languages	English, Spanish, French, Greenlandic, and many others
Time zones	UTC−10:00 to UTC±00:00

North America. It is a continent located entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere, bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and South America to the southeast. It is the third-largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa, and encompasses a vast array of geographic features, from the Arctic Archipelago to the Isthmus of Panama. The continent is home to 23 sovereign states, including major nations such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as numerous dependent territories like Greenland and Bermuda.

Geography

The continent's western margin is dominated by the massive Cordillera mountain system, which includes the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Madre Occidental, and the Coast Mountains. East of this system lie the expansive interior plains, such as the Great Plains and the Canadian Prairies, which are drained by major river systems including the Mississippi River and the Mackenzie River. The older, more eroded Appalachian Mountains form the primary highland region on the eastern seaboard. Significant bodies of water include the Great Lakes, shared by Canada and the United States, and the Gulf of Mexico. The continent's climate ranges from the arctic conditions of Nunavut to the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica.

History

Human habitation began with the migration of Paleo-Indians from Siberia via the Beringia land bridge. Complex pre-Columbian civilizations flourished, such as the Maya civilization in Mesoamerica and the Mississippian culture at Cahokia. The arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 initiated the Columbian Exchange and widespread European colonization, led by Spain, France, and England. The colonial period was defined by conflict, including the French and Indian War, and culminated in the American Revolution and the Mexican War of Independence. The 19th century saw continental expansion, the American Civil War, and the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. The 20th century was shaped by both World Wars, the Cold War, and the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Demographics

The population is predominantly concentrated in major urban corridors like the Northeast megalopolis, Southern Ontario, and the Mexico City metropolitan area. The population is ethnically diverse, stemming from centuries of immigration from Europe, Africa, and Asia, alongside the indigenous peoples often grouped as Native Americans and First Nations. Major languages include English, predominant in the United States and much of Canada; Spanish, the primary language of Mexico and Central America; and French, notably in Quebec and parts of the Caribbean like Haiti. Religious adherence is varied, with significant populations of Protestants, Catholics, and a growing number of non-religious individuals.

Economy

It hosts the world's largest national economy, the United States, and is a global hub for technology, finance, and manufacturing. Key economic regions include Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and the Greater Toronto Area. Major industries range from automotive manufacturing in Detroit and aerospace in Seattle, to petroleum extraction in the Permian Basin and Alberta's Athabasca oil sands. Agricultural production is immense, with the Midwestern United States and the Canadian Prairies forming vital breadbaskets. The continent is integrated by trade agreements, most notably the successor to NAFTA, the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Tourism is also a major sector, centered on destinations like New York City, the Grand Canyon, and the Mayan Riviera.

Culture

Cultural output is globally influential, particularly from the United States, in domains such as Hollywood cinema, Broadway theatre, and musical genres like jazz, rock and roll, and hip hop. The continent has produced seminal literary figures from Mark Twain to Gabriel García Márquez. Culinary traditions are exceptionally diverse, encompassing Tex-Mex cuisine, Louisiana Creole cuisine, poutine from Quebec, and the mole of Oaxaca. Major sporting leagues like the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League have massive followings. The continent also hosts world-renowned cultural institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museo Nacional de Antropología.

Politics and government

The continent features a variety of political systems, including the federal presidential republic of the United States, the federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy of Canada, and the federal presidential republic of Mexico. Key political landmarks include the United States Capitol, Parliament Hill, and the Palacio Nacional. Major intergovernmental organizations include the Organization of American States and the security partnership of NORAD. Contemporary political issues often involve debates over immigration policy, trade relations under the USMCA, energy and environmental regulations, and the legacy of treaties with indigenous nations such as the Lakota and the Navajo Nation.

Category:North America Category:Continents