North America
North America spans roughly 24.7 million km² from the Arctic tundra of northern Canada to the tropical narrows of Panama, encompassing three vast federal nations, a mosaic of Caribbean island states, and the densely varied cultures of Central America.
Overview
North America comprises 23 sovereign countries and stretches across nearly every climate zone on Earth. The continent is dominated by three large nations — Canada, the United States, and Mexico — which together account for the overwhelming majority of its landmass and population. The Caribbean Basin adds dozens of island nations, while Central America contributes seven distinct republics bridging North and South. Major geographic features include the Rocky Mountains running the western spine, the Great Plains at the interior, the Appalachians to the east, and the Mississippi–Missouri river system draining much of the continent. English, Spanish, and French are the primary language families, with hundreds of Indigenous languages still spoken across the continent.
History and Ancient Civilizations
Human habitation in North America dates back at least 15,000 years, with Indigenous civilizations developing sophisticated societies long before European contact. The Maya built complex city-states with advanced writing and…
Countries in North America
40 countries· showing 12Travel Notes
Visa requirements vary enormously: the US, Canada, and Mexico each maintain separate entry systems, and many Caribbean and Central American nations operate independently. European and many Asian passport holders can enter Mexico and most of Central America visa-free but require electronic authorisation or visas for the US and Canada. Best travel seasons split by latitude — northern winters are severe; spring and autumn are mild across the mid-continent; the Caribbean hurricane season runs June through November. The US dollar is widely accepted beyond its borders. Regional aviation is the primary mode of long-distance travel.
Interesting Facts About North America
- Canada is the world's second-largest country by area.
- The Mississippi River drains 41% of the continental US.
- Mexico City is built atop the former Aztec capital Tenochtitlan.
- The US has the world's largest economy by nominal GDP.
- Haiti was the first Black-led republic in history, 1804.
Top Travel Highlights
- Grand Canyon — ancient geological scale, nearly unobstructed desert panoramas.
- Mexico City — pre-Columbian ruins beneath a living, layered metropolis.
- Banff National Park — glacial lakes and Rocky Mountain ridgelines in Alberta.
- Havana — mid-century architecture, intact and weathered in equal measure.
- Tikal — Maya temples rising above Guatemalan rainforest canopy.