North America is the man ’s third expectant continent by land area , march by the Arctic Ocean to the N , the Atlantic Ocean to the east , the Pacific Ocean to the west , and South America and the Caribbean Sea to the due south . This incredible size of it mean there are quite a fewcountries in North America .
But just how many , exactly ? The result is n’t quite as aboveboard as you might think .
How Many Countries Are There in North America?
There are 23 countries in North America , including three in Northern America , seven in Central America and 13 in the Caribbean Sea . The regional breakdown of these autonomous states is as follows :
Northern America
Central America
The Caribbean Sea
Non-sovereign States
North America also cover 23 dependent territories , or non - independent states , which include :
Overview of the North American Continent
The North American continent reside the northern part of the landmass historically referred to as the New World . Its three primary regions are Northern America , Central America and the Caribbean Sea ( also bear on to as the West Indies ) .
Northern America include just three countries : Canada , Mexico and the U.S.
Canada is positioned above the U.S. , while Mexico lies below it , stand for the U.S. shares a border with each of these nation . The combined land area of these three countries is 8.4 million square knot ( 21.8 million square kilometers ) , making Northern America the largest segment of North America in term of land .
Central America is the secondly expectant segment of North America , with a land area of 201,595 square Roman mile ( 522,278 square km ) . This specific region within Latin America consists of a narrow land connection between North and South America and encompass seven countries . From just about northerly to Dixie , they are Belize , Guatemala , Honduras , El Salvador , Nicaragua , Costa Rica and Panama .
The West Indies , turn up in the Caribbean Sea , consist of numerous island , including the Bahamas , Cuba , Jamaica , Haiti and the Dominican Republic ; the small nations of Saint Kitts , Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent ; and others .
While there are some really petite area and territories here(the island of Sint Maarten is just 13 square mile , or 34 satisfying kilometers ) , this area still contributes 89,290 square geographical mile ( 231,336 square klick ) of land to North America .
Major Countries by Land Area
The magnanimous body politic in North America by land expanse is Canada , which is also the second bombastic state in the macrocosm . ( Thelargest countryin the world is Russia . ) Canada ’s country area is roughly 3.85 million square miles ( 9.98 million hearty kilometers ) . Its capital is Ottawa , located in the responsibility of Ontario , and the country is make out for the British , Gallic and Indigenous influences on its culture .
Mexico , the third largest country on the continent , is known for its vivacious culture and working capital urban center , Mexico City . The country covers more or less 758,449 square miles ( 1.96 million substantial kilometre ) . With nearly 130 million people , Mexico is home to moreSpanish speakersthan any other commonwealth in the world . People have been living on the land that is present - day Mexico for thousands of year , with the area ’s rich agricultural chronicle potentially datingas far back as 7,050 B.C.
The Most Populated North American Countries
The combined population of all 23 of the North American countries is more than 600 million people .
The 10most thickly settled countriesare :
What Languages Are Spoken in North America?
North America ’s population is diverse , with a mix of Indigenous people , Latin Americans , African Americans and immigrant from all over the universe . This means people speak C of unlike languages on the continent .
In sum , the number of terminology talk in North America is estimated to bearound 400 , considering both endemic and non - Indigenous languages , although that number could potentially be even high , peculiarly when you consider differentregional dialects .
The most vulgar terminology group in North America include the following .
Indigenous Languages
There are hundreds of endemic languages speak by various Native American tribe across North America , including the U.S. , Canada , Mexico and Central America .
European Languages
Creole and Pidgin Languages
masses speak various Creole languages in the Caribbean , such as Haitian Creole in Haiti , Jamaican Patois in Jamaica , and others in countries like the Bahamas , Belize , and Trinidad and Tobago .
Other Languages
People speak many other languages in North America , mainly due to immigration , admit Chinese , Tagalog , Vietnamese , German , Italian , Korean and many more .
Natural Resources
North America is rich in rude resources that beat back its economies .
The fertile soils of the U.S. , especially in the Midwest , known as the " tummy " of the domain , develop strong quantities of corn , wheat and soja . Additionally , the U.S. is racy in ember , raw gasand petroleum , with significant reserves in states like Texas , Alaska and North Dakota .
Canada is renowned for its vast rock oil guts in Alberta , which make it one of the largest oil producers globally . Besides oil , Canada has material natural natural gas reserves , timber and mineral resources , including gold , nickel and U .
Meanwhile , Mexico is a major manufacturer of silver gray and oil , with its vegetable oil reserve primarily located along the Gulf of Mexico . The country also has important deposits of fuzz , principal and Zn .
Economic Importance
The economic influence of North America is considerable , and it contributes a significant constituent to the globalGDP , or thoroughgoing domestic product . Canada ’s economy is bolster by its natural resources , with major industries include oil and gas , mining andforestry . The country also has a robust manufacturing sphere , particularly in automotive production .
Canada ’s neighbor to the Confederate States of America , the U.S. is a planetary leader in engineering , finance and manufacturing . Silicon Valley in California is a hub for technical school institution , home to many of the universe ’s leading tech companionship like Apple , Google and Facebook . Wall Street in New York City is the epicenter of global finance , wield influence overstock marketsworldwide .
Mexico has all-encompassing craft relations that benefit its thriftiness , peculiarly agreements like the United States - Mexico - Canada Agreement ( USMCA ) . The rural area also has a warm manufacturing base , particularly in the self-propelling and electronics sectors , and its agricultural industry exports a significant amount of fruit and veggie year over twelvemonth .
Historical Context
North America ’s history is deeply intertwined with that of the British Empire and other European powers thatcolonized the continent .
The name " America " is derived from the Internet Explorer Amerigo Vespucci , whosailed to the Americasaround 1500 . After that , people began using the term " America " to signify the New World as a whole . But North America ’s history traverse thousands of geezerhood , beginning even earlier than that . Indigenous peoplesinhabited the continent long before the Europeans made contact .
These divers autochthonous groups , admit the Iroquois , Sioux , Maya , Aztecand Inuit , develop complex fellowship with their own rich traditions and cultures . The arrival of European IE in the late 15th and early 16th C marked the beginning of significant changes , conflicts and the oppression of the endemic the great unwashed by the Europeans .
Colonization of the Americas
The French settled in part of Canada and the cardinal U.S. , while the Spanish colonize turgid domain of the present - day U.S. , Mexico and the Caribbean . The British Empire found Colony along the eastern coast of what is now the U.S. and Canada .
The ethnic landscape painting of North America has been profoundly regulate by its colonial past and the uninterrupted undulation of immigration from around the world . The British influence is peculiarly solid in the U.S. and Canada , determine in the widespread use of the English language and the sound and political organization .
In Mexico and part of the U.S. , Spanish influence is everywhere , reflecting the legacy of Spanish colonization . Meanwhile , the African diaspora has also leave an impression , especially in the U.S. and the Caribbean , add to the music , cuisine and spiritual practices .
A Cultural Melting Pot
Throughout the nineteenth and 20th C , North America became a destination for millions of immigrants from around the world in search of better opportunities , many of them escaping political hard knocks . This unremitting flow of unexampled culture and traditions has made North America one of the most culturally various regions in the humanity .
People often describe the U.S. as a " thaw wad , " where various acculturation blend to make a unparalleled American individuality . likewise , Canada advertise a " mosaic " model , observe multiculturalism and diversity throughout its culture .
Tourism and Natural Wonders
Tourism run a vital role in North America ’s economy . metropolis like New York , Los Angeles , Miami , Toronto , Mexico City and Havana extend a blend of historic site and advanced experiences . Washington , D.C. , the capital of the United States , is home to iconic landmarks like the White House , the Capitol , and numerous museums and monuments on the National Mall .
Mexico is famous for its ancient civilizations , with archaeological sites likeChichen Itza , Teotihuacan and Palenque attracting history buff . The country ’s vibrant festivals , cuisine and compound architecture also appeal to visitor .
Visitors are drawn to the continent ’s rude wonders , too . These let in Denali ( formerly known as Mount McKinley ) in Alaska , the Grand Canyon in Arizona , Niagara Falls on the U.S.-Canada border , Yellowstone National Parkin the western U.S. and the pristine beaches of the Caribbean countries like those in the Turks and Caicos Islands .
In the United States , California offer beaches in Southern California and forests and heap in Northern California . Meanwhile , Florida is far-famed for its theme parks likeWalt Disney Worldand Universal Studios , as well as the of course beautiful Everglades .
In Canada , multitude flock to the Rocky Mountains for splendid skiing and snowboarding in the wintertime , and hiking in the summer . The Maritimes in eastern Canada are famous for their seafood and charming small townsfolk . British Columbia is another top finish , feature temperate rain forest , multicultural city like Vancouver and natural daub like the Whistler Blackcomb ski refuge .
The Caribbean island are a major draw for holidaymaker who are await to spend meter in the sunlight , moxie and ocean . Known for pristine beach , clear cobalt blue waters , and excellent diving and snorkeling website , the West Indies are a favorite among traveller for both relaxation and dangerous undertaking .
We created this clause in alignment with AI technology , then made certain it was fact - watch and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor .
