North America is a continent in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. It spans approximately 24,709,000 square kilometers, making it the third-largest continent by area after Asia and Africa. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, and connects to South America via the Isthmus of Panama.
Geography Shapes Regional Identity
North America is geologically diverse, featuring four major regions:
- The Great Plains, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Arctic.
- The mountainous west, including the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin.
- The Canadian Shield, a raised but relatively flat plateau in the northeast.
- The eastern region, which includes the Appalachian Mountains and Atlantic coastal plains.
The continent’s highest peak is Denali in Alaska, while its coastline is irregular with notable features like Hudson Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Tectonic Plates Define Boundaries
Most of North America lies on the North American Plate, with portions of western Mexico and California on the Pacific Plate, meeting at the San Andreas Fault. The southern region includes parts of the Caribbean Plate, while Greenland shares its geological roots with North America.
Climate Creates Diverse Ecosystems
North America’s climate ranges from Arctic tundra in Greenland to tropical rainforests in Central America. Key climate zones include:
- Humid continental climates in regions like New York City.
- Mediterranean climates along coastal California.
- Steppe/desert climates in western U.S. states and northern Mexico.
Rainforest and savanna climates dominate areas near the Caribbean Sea, supporting rich biodiversity.
Ecology Highlights Unique Species
North America hosts iconic fauna such as bison, black bears, jaguars, and monarch butterflies. Domesticated plants like maize, squash, tobacco, and tomatoes originated here, shaping global agriculture.
History Reflects Human Settlement
Pre-Columbian Era Establishes Indigenous Cultures
Humans first arrived in North America via the Bering Land Bridge around 27,000–14,000 years ago. Indigenous cultures thrived for millennia, including groups like the Clovis culture and Mayans. The Mayans developed advanced systems such as writing and mathematics.
European Contact Transforms Societies
The Norse were the first Europeans to reach North America around 1000 CE. Later explorers like Christopher Columbus initiated widespread colonization starting in 1492. Colonization brought cultural exchange but also disease and conflict that drastically reduced indigenous populations.
Revolutionary Movements Shape Nations
The American Revolution (1775–1783) led to U.S. independence from Britain. Canada unified as a dominion in 1867, while Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 after a lengthy war.
Demographics Highlight Diversity
North America’s population exceeds 592 million people across 23 independent states. Ethnic diversity includes Whites, Mestizos, Blacks, Indigenous Americans, and Asians. English, Spanish, and French dominate linguistically, with indigenous languages also contributing to cultural richness.
Economy Drives Global Influence
North America boasts significant economic power:
- The U.S., Canada, and Mexico form major trade blocs like NAFTA (now USMCA).
- The U.S. leads globally with a GDP exceeding $29 trillion (2024).
Industries range from technology to agriculture, with trade agreements fostering intercontinental commerce.
Culture Defines Regional Uniqueness
North American culture blends indigenous traditions with influences from European colonization. French-speaking regions like Quebec preserve linguistic heritage alongside English-dominant areas. Latino culture thrives in parts of Mexico and southwestern U.S., while cowboy traditions link northern Mexico with Alberta and western U.S.
Sports also unite communities—Canada excels in hockey and lacrosse while baseball dominates in the U.S., alongside growing soccer leagues across all three nations.
North America’s vast landscapes, diverse cultures, and historical milestones make it a continent of global significance. From towering peaks to bustling cities like New York City and Mexico City, it continues to shape human history economically, culturally, and ecologically.
Citations:
North America is a continent in the Northern and Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. The region includes Middle America (comprising the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico) and Northern America.
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| Area | 24.709 million km2 (9.54 million sq mi) (3rd) |
|---|---|
| Population |  592,296,233 (2021; 4th) |
| Population density | 25.7/km2 (66.4/sq mi) (2021) |
| GDP (PPP) | US$36.6 trillion (2025 est.; 2nd) |
| GDP (nominal) | US$34.61 trillion (2025 est.; 2nd) |
| GDP per capita | US$67,000 (2025 est.; 2nd) |
| Religions |
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| Demonym | North American |
| Countries | 23 sovereign states |
| Dependencies | 23 non-sovereign territories |
| Languages | English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Danish, indigenous languages, and many others |
| Time zones | UTC−10:00 to UTC+00:00 |
| Largest cities | List of urban areas: |
| UN M49 code | 003 – North America019 – Americas001 – World |
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North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), representing approximately 16.5% of Earth's land area and 4.8% of its total surface area. It is the third-largest continent by size after Asia and Africa, and the fourth-largest continent by population after Asia, Africa, and Europe. As of 2021[update], North America's population was estimated as over 592 million people in 23 independent states, or about 7.5% of the world's population. In human geography, the terms "North America" and "North American" refers to Canada, Greenland, Mexico, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and the United States.
It is unknown with certainty how and when first human populations first reached North America. People were known to live in the Americas at least 20,000 years ago, but various evidence points to possibly earlier dates. The Paleo-Indian period in North America followed the Last Glacial Period, and lasted until about 10,000 years ago when the Archaic period began. The classic stage followed the Archaic period, and lasted from approximately the 6th to 13th centuries. Beginning in 1000 AD, the Norse were the first Europeans to begin exploring and ultimately colonizing areas of North America.
In 1492, the exploratory voyages of Christopher Columbus led to a transatlantic exchange, including migrations of European settlers during the Age of Discovery and the early modern period. Present-day cultural and ethnic patterns reflect interactions between European colonists, indigenous peoples, enslaved Africans, immigrants from Europe, Asia, and descendants of these respective groups.
Europe's colonization in North America led to most North Americans speaking European languages, such as English, Spanish, and French, and the cultures of the region commonly reflect Western traditions. However, relatively small parts of North America in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central America have indigenous populations that continue adhering to their respective pre-European colonial cultural and linguistic traditions.