North America
The third-largest continent — the 'New World' of the Canadian Shield, Western Cordilleras, Great Lakes and rich farmlands.
The big idea
Think first
One continent holds Arctic tundra, scorching deserts and steamy tropics all at once. Which one, and how does that shape the lives within it? Keep the question in mind as you read.
North America is the third-largest continent, often called the "New World." It stretches from Arctic Alaska to tropical Panama. It has extensive forests, rich farmlands, abundant minerals and huge water-power resources. It is the only continent with every type of climate and enjoys the highest average incomes in the world.
Physical Divisions
North America has four major physical divisions:
- The Canadian Shield: ancient rock covering nearly half of Canada, dotted with lakes including the Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario) and a treasure house of minerals.
- The Western Cordilleras: high young mountains (Rockies, Coastal Ranges, Sierra Nevada) running north–south. Mt McKinley/Denali (the highest peak) is here, along with the Grand Canyon and active volcanoes.
- The Appalachian Mountains: older, lower eastern highlands rich in coal.
- The Central Lowlands: the vast fertile basin of the Missouri–Mississippi rivers between the two mountain belts.
Lake Superior is the world's largest freshwater lake, and the Mississippi is among the world's longest rivers.
Check yourself
A geographer points to high young mountains running north to south that include the highest peak and the Grand Canyon. Which division is this?
Climate and Vegetation
North America spans the tropics to the frigid Arctic, giving it varied climates. Vegetation runs in belts:
- Tundra in the far north: mosses and lichens, with caribou, musk-ox and polar bear.
- Taiga: a wide coniferous forest belt across Canada.
- Prairies: the tall grasslands of the interior plains.
- Tropical forests in the south (Mexico, Central America) and Mediterranean vegetation on the Californian west coast.
- Cactus and scrub: found in the dry south-west.
The cold Grand Banks off Newfoundland is a world-famous fishing ground.
Check yourself
A wide belt of coniferous forest stretches right across Canada. What is this belt called?
Resources and Agriculture
North America is a farming powerhouse, the world's largest producer of maize (corn), wheat and soybean, with cotton and tobacco in the south. Cuba is the "sugar bowl of the world."
It is rich in petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold and copper. The Canadian Shield yields high-grade iron and gold. The Appalachians yield coal. The Gulf Coast yields oil and gas. The Great Lakes–St Lawrence system forms the world's largest inland waterway. The Panama Canal links the Atlantic and Pacific.
Check yourself
Which claim about North America's farming is correct?
Peoples and Countries
The population mixes the original native peoples with immigrants from around the world. Most people are concentrated in the milder south. 90% of Canada is nearly empty. Its harsh climate keeps settlers away.
The leading countries are Canada and the United States of America. Canada has the world's longest coastline and is famous for its loggers, called "lumberjacks." The USA has its capital at Washington DC on the Potomac. It is a leading industrial and agricultural nation with the highest average incomes on the continent.
Check yourself
Which statement about the leading countries of North America is correct?
Key takeaways
- North America: third-largest continent, the "New World," and the only continent with every climate type
- Four divisions: Canadian Shield (Great Lakes), Western Cordilleras (Rockies, Denali, Grand Canyon), Appalachians (coal), central lowlands (Mississippi)
- Lake Superior = world's largest freshwater lake, Great Lakes–St Lawrence = largest inland waterway
- World's largest producer of maize, wheat and soybean, with prairies as the interior grasslands
- Rich in oil, gas, coal, iron, gold, and the Panama Canal links Atlantic and Pacific
- Native peoples + immigrants, with Canada and the USA having the world's highest average incomes
You’ve reached the end of this topic.
Review the takeaways above, then mark it done.