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 :	11:39:58 (29th April 2025)

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

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Countries in North America

North America has 1 neighbours.

South America

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)

Map of countries with a smaller population than North America

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?????, ??????? ???????, ???????? ???????, ?????? ???????, ?????? ????????, ?????? ??????, ????????????, ?????, ???