North America,

North America: Continent on the Earth's northwestern quadrant

About

North America is the third largest continent on Earth spanning over 24 million square kilometers. It is located primarily in the Western and Northern hemispheres.

The continent is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and South America to the south. North America includes the countries of Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and several island nations in the Caribbean.

Major Geographic Regions

Some of the main geographic regions in North America include:

  • The Canadian Shield - ancient rock formation containing the Hudson Bay watershed
  • The Appalachian Mountains stretching from Canada to Alabama
  • The Rocky Mountains extending from Alaska to New Mexico
  • The massive Mississippi River system and basin
  • The sprawling Great Plains grassland region

Other major areas include the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, Death Valley, and the Mojave Desert.

Diverse Climate and Ecosystems

North America contains a highly diverse range of climates and ecosystems including:

  • Arctic tundra in northern Canada and Alaska
  • Temperate rainforests along the Pacific Northwest coast
  • Arid deserts like the Sonoran and Chihuahuan
  • Vast grasslands and prairie across the Great Plains
  • Subtropical wetlands in the Gulf Coast and Florida

This variety contributes to a rich abundance of plant and animal life.

Human History and Populations

North America has been inhabited by humans for over 20,000 years. Major native groups include the Iroquois, Navajo, Inuit, and Apache. European colonization began in the 16th century led by Spain, France and England. The continent was later settled by immigrants from around the world.

Today, the population of North America exceeds 579 million. The most populous countries are the United States, Mexico and Canada.

North America contains immense geographic diversity, resources and economic power. Understanding this influential continent provides key insights into human civilization.

North America locator map
Location of North America

Quick Facts about North America

Population : 579,000,000
Different from : Northern America, Northern America and Mexico
Area : 24930000 km2
Has part : Central America, United States of America, Mexico, Canada, Northern America and Mexico, Caribbean
Time Zone : Alaska Time Zone, Atlantic Time Zone, Eastern Time Zone, Mountain Time Zone, Newfoundland Standard time, Central Time Zone, Pacific Time Zone, Hawaii–Aleutian Time Zone
Local time : 22:34:34 (18th March 2024)
North America satellite orthographic image
North America satellite orthographic
North America satellite orthographic image

Geography

North America is located at 46°4'24"N 100°32'49"W (46.0732306254083, -100.546875).

North America map

Countries in North America

North America has 1 neighbours.

Demographics

Year Population % Change Method
1960 198,624,409 - (Worldbank)
1961 202,007,500 1.67% (Worldbank)
1962 205,198,600 1.56% (Worldbank)
1963 208,253,700 1.47% (Worldbank)
1964 211,262,900 1.42% (Worldbank)
1965 214,031,100 1.29% (Worldbank)
1966 216,659,000 1.21% (Worldbank)
1967 219,176,000 1.15% (Worldbank)
1968 221,503,000 1.05% (Worldbank)
1969 223,759,000 1.01% (Worldbank)
1970 226,431,000 1.18% (Worldbank)
1971 229,677,632 1.41% (Worldbank)
1972 232,168,663 1.07% (Worldbank)
1973 234,454,577 0.97% (Worldbank)
1974 236,715,369 0.96% (Worldbank)
1975 239,169,275 1.03% (Worldbank)
1976 241,538,008 0.98% (Worldbank)
1977 244,018,243 1.02% (Worldbank)
1978 246,601,803 1.05% (Worldbank)
1979 249,310,344 1.09% (Worldbank)
1980 251,795,337 0.99% (Worldbank)
1981 254,340,965 1% (Worldbank)
1982 256,836,391 0.97% (Worldbank)
1983 259,214,381 0.92% (Worldbank)
1984 261,488,476 0.87% (Worldbank)
1985 263,823,014 0.88% (Worldbank)
1986 266,290,660 0.93% (Worldbank)
1987 268,793,450 0.93% (Worldbank)
1988 271,349,094 0.94% (Worldbank)
1989 274,154,622 1.02% (Worldbank)
1990 277,373,464 1.16% (Worldbank)
1991 281,077,441 1.32% (Worldbank)
1992 284,943,859 1.36% (Worldbank)
1993 288,662,674 1.29% (Worldbank)
1994 292,185,983 1.21% (Worldbank)
1995 295,640,057 1.17% (Worldbank)
1996 299,064,347 1.15% (Worldbank)
1997 302,623,445 1.18% (Worldbank)
1998 306,070,116 1.13% (Worldbank)
1999 309,502,571 1.11% (Worldbank)
2000 312,909,974 1.09% (Worldbank)
2001 316,052,361 0.99% (Worldbank)
2002 319,048,184 0.94% (Worldbank)
2003 321,815,286 0.86% (Worldbank)
2004 324,809,693 0.92% (Worldbank)
2005 327,824,506 0.92% (Worldbank)
2006 331,015,609 0.96% (Worldbank)
2007 334,185,120 0.95% (Worldbank)
2008 337,406,357 0.95% (Worldbank)
2009 340,466,060 0.9% (Worldbank)
2010 343,391,679 0.85% (Worldbank)
2011 345,960,766 0.74% (Worldbank)
2012 348,610,010 0.76% (Worldbank)
2013 565,265,000 38.33% census
2014 353,803,581 -59.77% (Worldbank)
2015 356,403,308 0.73% (Worldbank)
2016 579,000,000 38.45% census
2017 361,592,733 -60.12% (Worldbank)
2018 363,809,186 0.61% (Worldbank)
2019 365,892,703 0.57% (Worldbank)

Abya Yala, America Septentrional, America del Nord, America del Norte, America do Norte, America settentrionale, Amerika Utara, Amerique du Nord, Ameryka Polnocna, Ameryka Pólnocna, Amèrica del Nord, América Septentrional, América del Norte, América do Norte, Amérique du Nord, B?c M?, Davvi-Amerihkka, Davvi-Amerihkká, Eszak-Amerika, Gogledd America, Kuzey Amerika, Meiricea Thuaidh, Meiriceá Thuaidh, Noord-Amerika, Nord-Amerika, Nordamerika, Nordameriko, Nordur-Amerika, Norteamerica, Norteamérica, North America, Nor?ur-Ameríka, Pohjois-Amerikka, Severna Amerika, Severnaja Amerika, Severni Amerika, Severní Amerika, Siaures Amerika, Sjeverna Amerika, Ziemelamerika, Ziemelamerika, Észak-Amerika, Šiaures Amerika, ?????? ?µ?????, ??????? ???????, ???????? ???????, ?????? ???????, ?????? ????????, ?????? ??????, ????????????, ?????, ???

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