The American continent is regionalized in three parts, this facilitates the study of existing human relations, it is divided into South America, Central America and North America.
As stated on Countryaah, North America corresponds to the northern part of the American continent, is formed by three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, which together occupy an area of 23.6 million square kilometers. This portion of the American continent is located in the west and in the northern hemisphere, it is limited to the north with the Arctic Ocean, east with the Atlantic Ocean, southeast with the Caribbean Sea and in the south and west with the Pacific Ocean.
Approximately 457 million people are distributed throughout North America, whose languages are practiced in English, Spanish and French.
In addition to the countries already mentioned that make up North America, there are also other territories such as Greenland (Danish territory), Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands (French), Bermuda (British domain) and Bahamas.
The main countries in North America are the United States and Canada, respectively, as they stand out on the world stage as world powers and belong to the group of the richest countries, the G-8, especially the United States, which are considered the greatest world force at the moment.
These two nations provide their population with a high quality of life from the high industrial, technological and economic level. The extreme north is the most unpopulated region in North America, because the climate in the place is rigorous, thus hindering the development of various human activities.
There were many ethnic groups that contributed to the formation of the people of this part of America, among the main ones are the descendants of English, French, Spanish, Africans and Italian immigrants.
The highest points of relief in North America are the Alaskan Cordillera and the Rocky Mountains, in water resources the largest hydrographic basin that stands out is that of Mississippi-Missouri.
As for the climate, in the north there are low temperatures occurring coniferous forests, in the center and southeast the predominant climate is the temperate continental where the temperate forests are located and in the southwest the deserts are established.
As the United States is part of this part of America, the region is characterized by a high level of industrial production that stands out globally, regardless of the productive sector of the economy, except Mexico, which does not have these same characteristics, as it recently joined the group of developing or emerging countries.
In the agricultural sector, it occupies an important place among the main food producers in the world, especially grains, such as corn, soybeans, in addition to oranges.
And finally, in the whole area of North America it is possible to find large mineral reserves such as oil and other ores.
| Country | Capital | Languages | People |
| Antigua and Barbuda | St. John’s Codrington (Barbuda) |
English | Antiguan, Barbudan |
| Bahamas | Nassau | English | Bahamian |
| Barbados | Bridgetown | English | Barbadian |
| Belize | Belmopan | English *, Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, Mayan | Belizean |
| Costa Rica | Ottawa, Ontatrio | English, French | Canadian |
| Dominica | San Jose | Spanish | Coast Rican |
| Dominican Republic | Havana | Spanish | Cuban |
| El Salvador | Roseau | English *, French | Dominican |
| Grenada | Santo Domingo | Spanish *, English | Dominican |
| Guatemala | San Salvador | Spanish | Salvadorean |
| Haiti | St. George’s | English | Grenadian |
| Honduras | Guatemala City | Spanish *, Indian languages | Guatemalan |
| Jamaica | Port-au-Prince | Creole *, French | Haitian |
| Canada | Tegucigalpa | Spanish *, English | Honduran |
| Cuba | Kingston | English *, Jamaican Creole | Jamaican |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Spanish, Indian | Mexican |
| Nicaragua | Managua | Spanish | Nicaraguan |
| Panama | Panama City | Spanish *, English | Panamanian |
| Saint Kitts & Nevis | Basseterre | English | ** |
| Saint Lucia | Castries | English | ** |
| St. Vincent & the Grenadines | Kingstown | English *, French | ** |
| Trinidad & Tobago | Port of Spain | English *, Hindi, French, Spanish | Trinidadian, Tobagan, Tobagonian |
| USA | Washington DC | English *, Spanish (minorities) | American |
Source: ALLCITYCODES
Central America
Central America encompasses a total of seven countries but on the surface is smaller than France.
Despite its size, the area offers many variations. Nature encompasses everything from the world’s second-largest coral reef in Belize to the ever-green fog forests of Costa Rica’s highlands. The people of Central America have their roots in Europe, Africa and the Native American cultures, and the area can showcase buildings from the Mayan people’s impressive pyramids to the huge Panama Canal.
Area: 524,000 km²
Number of inhabitants: 146 million
Largest country (by population)
- Mexico – 118 million
- Guatemala – 15 million
- Honduras – 8.2 million
- El Salvador – $ 6.1 million
- Nicaragua – 6 million
The history of Central America
Central America’s north contributed to the thriving Native American cultures such as the Maya and Aztecs in Mexico, while the southern part had more in common with the Inca people and other South American cultures. In large parts of the region, however, smaller Indian groups led a relatively isolated and primitive existence. Christoffer Columbus reached the Central American mainland on his fourth and final voyage in 1502 and then explored the Caribbean coast from today’s Honduras to Panama. After Columbus, other explorers began to flow, and in the early 16th century all countries became Spanish colonies. The British gained dominion over a limited area in the form of British Honduras, now Belize. The British retained power in Belize until 1981 while the heyday of the Spaniards expired as early as 1821 and the former Spanish colonies (except Panama belonging to Colombia) merged to form a common Central American republic. The new republic was characterized by civil war and political disputes and dissolved only 17 years after it was founded. Subsequently, some of the countries waged war against each other and within the countries there was concern with civil war and dictatorships.
Traveling to Central America
Central America has a manageable size and is packed with attractions. A trip to Central America is never eventful. The region is compact and easy to travel in, and there is much to do. From Guatemala’s never-ending stream of Mayan ruins to Belize’s interesting blend of British order and Caribbean laissez-faire mentality. From El Salvador’s pearl band of beautiful, menacing volcanoes to Honduras tempting Caribbean sandy beaches. From Nicaragua’s postcard landscape and cone-shaped volcanoes reflecting in the lakes, to Costa Rica’s paradisiacal green countryside and Panama’s world-famous canal. Enjoy your vacation in Central America!
