North America

North America is a continent in the northern part of the Western Hemisphere. It includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, Greenland, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Panama. The continent has a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It is a rich and varied place where many people have worked with—and against—the environment to create their own unique communities.

North Americans developed complex societies that are often defined by their language, religion, food, and customs. These traditions continue to evolve today, shaped by new technologies and global connections. In the 20th century, North American countries experienced economic growth and prosperity. Families grew, and most people owned their own homes and cars. They had more leisure time and enjoyed increased social opportunities. However, poverty and other social ills remained persistent challenges in some regions of the country.

Geographically, the continent is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The continent extends west to the Pacific Ocean and south through the narrow Isthmus of Panama to the South American coast. The highest point in the continent is Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, in Alaska, which rises over 20,000 feet (6,190 meters). The lowest point is Death Valley in California, which is more than 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.

The continent’s geologic structure is built on a stable platform of Precambrian rock called the Canadian Shield. To the southeast of the shield rise the ancient Appalachian Mountains. The younger and much taller Cordilleras are located in the west, covering about one-third of the continent’s land area. Between the two mountain ranges lie the flat regions of the Great Plains and the Central Lowlands.

North America contains all five of the world’s major biomes—conifer forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra, and wetlands. The biomes vary in climate and vegetation, but they all share some common characteristics such as the presence of living organisms and the water cycle.

Human development on North America is closely linked to its physical geography. People migrated from Africa, Asia, and Europe to the Americas, creating diverse cultures throughout the region. The North American continent became a hotspot for trade, with free-trade agreements and open immigration between countries.

In the past, North American countries have often been involved in conflict over territory and resources. In the 17th and 18th centuries, European powers fought numerous wars for control of the North American colonies—which ultimately gained independence. The American Revolution, the Mexican War of Independence, and other revolutions followed, and eventually a new political geography was established in the Americas. The region has also been a place where governments have backed military regimes in the hope of protecting their economic interests. This has resulted in civil wars that have killed tens of thousands of people, pushing many others to immigrate to North America and other parts of the world. The United States, in particular, has become a top destination for immigrants seeking financial security and a better life.