A Brief Overview of North America
Located in the western hemisphere, North America is the third largest continent by area. It comprises the countries of the United States, Canada and Mexico. The continent is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The largest island in North America is Greenland. Other islands off the coast are the Aleutian Islands, Alexander Archipelago, Greater and Lesser Antilles. It is home to numerous species of animals, including the bison.
North America is shaped like a triangle, with the Canadian Shield forming the west side of the continent. The Appalachian Mountains, which rise to the southeast of the shield, are among the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The western mountains are divided into two larger ranges, the Great Basin and the Rocky Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains also divide into smaller ranges. The Pacific coast ranges in Washington and Oregon are also part of the western mountains. The Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of California, and the Great Lakes are other bodies of water.
The oldest rocks on Earth are found in North America. The continent is also rich in natural resources. A large number of dinosaur fossils have been found in the United States. It is also one of the most economically developed regions in the world. It has the highest average income per capita and the highest energy consumption per capita in the world.
North America has a racially diverse population. It contains the largest concentrations of people of European ancestry, but there are also significant numbers of people of African and Asian ancestry. In addition, the continent is home to various indigenous peoples. Most of these people have lived in various polities prior to the arrival of Europeans. However, their cultures did not always coincide.
The continent is home to a number of different biomes, which vary in climate and vegetation. The most common North American animals are the black bear, bison, and prairie dog. The most common plant is the tomato. The largest body of water indenting the continent is the Gulf of Mexico, while the second largest body is the Hudson Bay. Another large body of water is the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The continent’s coastline is irregular. It is surrounded by oceans, including the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
In addition to these natural resources, the continent is also home to a number of cultural regions. These regions are sometimes called “culture areas.” These areas roughly correspond to the biological and geographic zones that characterize the continent. The three major ethnic groups in North America are African-Americans, Mestizos, and Whites. In addition to the various cultures, there are three major languages in North America: English, Spanish, and French.
North America is divided into three main economic regions. The three largest economic regions are the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These countries are often included in the trade blocs, the most important of which are the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CATA). The largest North American metropolitan area is in the United States.