North American Geography

Geography

• Continent located in the Northern Hemisphere
• Bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and Central America to the south
• Comprises 23 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the islands of the Caribbean

Countries

• United States:
  • World's third-largest country by area and population
  • Federal republic with 50 states and a federal district
• Canada:
  • Second-largest country by area
  • Federal parliamentary democracy with 10 provinces and 3 territories
• Mexico:
  • Federal republic with 31 states and a federal district
  • Borders the United States to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south

Physical Features

• Mountains:
  • Rocky Mountains: major mountain range stretching from British Columbia, Canada, to New Mexico, USA
  • Appalachian Mountains: older mountain range stretching from Canada to Alabama, USA
• Rivers:
  • Mississippi River: longest river in the United States, flowing from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico
  • Rio Grande: forms part of the border between the United States and Mexico
• Deserts:
  • Mojave Desert: largest desert in the United States, located in the southwestern states
  • Chihuahuan Desert: located in southwestern United States and northern Mexico

Climate

• Varied climate ranging from tropical to polar
• Cold winters and warm summers in northern regions
• Hot and humid summers in southern regions
• Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires occur frequently

Economy

• United States has the world's largest economy in terms of nominal GDP
• Canada has the world's tenth-largest economy
• Mexico has the world's eleventh-largest economy
• Major industries include:
  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Services
  • Tourism

Geography of North America

• Located in the Northern Hemisphere
• Borders: Arctic Ocean (north), Pacific Ocean (west), Atlantic Ocean (east), Central America (south)
• Comprises 23 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands

Countries of North America

United States

• World's third-largest country by area and population
• Federal republic with 50 states and a federal district

Canada

• Second-largest country by area
• Federal parliamentary democracy with 10 provinces and 3 territories

Mexico

• Federal republic with 31 states and a federal district
• Borders: United States (north), Guatemala and Belize (south)

Physical Features of North America

Mountains

• Rocky Mountains: major range from British Columbia, Canada, to New Mexico, USA
• Appalachian Mountains: older range from Canada to Alabama, USA

Rivers

• Mississippi River: longest river in the United States, from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico
• Rio Grande: forms part of the US-Mexico border

Deserts

• Mojave Desert: largest desert in the United States, in southwestern states
• Chihuahuan Desert: in southwestern United States and northern Mexico

Climate of North America

• Tropical to polar climate range
• Cold winters and warm summers in northern regions
• Hot and humid summers in southern regions
• Frequent natural disasters: hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires

Economy of North America

• United States: world's largest economy (nominal GDP)
• Canada: world's tenth-largest economy
• Mexico: world's eleventh-largest economy
• Major industries:
  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Services
  • Tourism