North America

Over 440 million people reside in the countries of Canada, Mexico, Greenland and the United States of America. The continent of North America is almost completely surrounded by water: the Pacific Ocean lies to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, with the island of Greenland lying off the coast of Labrador in the northeast. Mexico is the sole connection between North American and South America via the Isthmus of Panama. North America also contains the worlds only remaining superpower and the world’s largest economy (the United States).

The climate ranges from tropical in southern Mexico to arctic conditions in Canada and Greenland (which is covered 81% by ice). The United States has the greatest variety in different climate zones with sections of arid (southwest), Mediterranean (California), arctic (Alaska) and tropical (Hawai’i). Canada and the US began to be colonized by Europeans in the 16th century and their cultures primarily reflect this but also show a growing shift towards an increasingly more diverse population due to immigration from other parts of the world. Native Mesoamerican culture is more widespread in Mexico. English is the primary language spoken with Spanish second and French third. While a self-governed Danish territory, the majority of people in Greenland share Inuit backgrounds as well as Western European roots.

Due to the immense economic, military and political power of the United States, this region has enjoyed relative tranquility compared to most regions of the globe. The region exports a variety of goods both continental and internationally including natural resources, food/textile products, technology and entertainment. Education and health are considered to be high for the average citizen with Mexico in fourth place. Safety concerns have grown since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in America, leading to increased security and delay issues for international travel and trade. A free trade agreement also exists between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. which has increased economic ties and relations between these three nations. Some of the more frequently travelled to tourist destinations are the Statue of Liberty in New York City, the Grand Canyon National Park, Niagara Falls, Mexico’s ancient city of Teotihuacán and the Bahía de Banderas resort region, the skiing mountains in British Columbia, and the Northeast Greenland National Park (the largest national park in the world).