North America
North America is the third largest continent on Earth — a world of extremes, stretching from the ice-bound Arctic north through the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains down to the tropical rainforests of Central America.
North America at a glance
Key figures for the continent, as of 2025.
Location & geography
North America extends from the Arctic ice plains of Greenland and the Canadian north to the narrow isthmus of Panama, where the continent reaches out to South America. In the west the immense cordillera of the Rocky Mountains rises steeply; in the east the much older Appalachians form a gentler spine. Between them stretch the endless Great Plains — the grain and livestock heartland of the continent.
The water network is remarkable. The Mississippi–Missouri system, together more than 6,200 km long, drains the interior towards the Gulf of Mexico. The Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario — together form the largest freshwater surface in the world, holding roughly 21% of all surface fresh water on Earth (CIA World Factbook). The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a 446 km long and up to 1,800 m deep gorge carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. To the north the Canadian Shield covers a vast plateau of ancient granite.
Population
With around 617 million inhabitants in 2025, roughly 7.5% of the world's population lives in North America (UN WPP 2024). The distribution is highly uneven: the USA counts ~345 million people and is strongly urbanised along the east and west coasts; Mexico holds ~130 million, mostly concentrated on the central plateau; Canada has ~40 million but one of the lowest population densities in the world — the frozen north is almost empty.
Megacities dominate the continent. Mexico City, with around 22 million people in its metro area, is the largest agglomeration, followed by New York (~20 M) and Los Angeles (~13 M). Compare the figures on the comparison page or visit the largest countries page.
Countries & capitals
North America contains 23 countries (UN count), from the giants USA, Mexico and Canada to small island states in the Caribbean Sea. Below are the five most populous; the full list is on the countries of North America page.
| Country | Capital | Population (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Washington | 345,000,000 |
| Mexico | Mexico City | 130,000,000 |
| Canada | Ottawa | 40,000,000 |
| Guatemala | Guatemala City | 18,000,000 |
| Cuba | Havana | 11,000,000 |
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024, Worldometer 2025.
Climate & seasons
North America hosts virtually every climate zone found on Earth. In the far north of Canada and Greenland an arctic climate prevails with permanent permafrost. The interior has a continental climate with harsh winters and warm summers — the realm of the legendary Tornado Alley, the corridor from Kansas to Texas where dozens of destructive twisters strike each year.
The south-west USA and northern Mexico experience arid desert climates (Mojave, Sonora), while the south-east USA is subtropical with humid summers. The Caribbean coast and Central America are tropical; from June to November the hurricane season strikes the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast with regularity. More about climate zones on the time zones page.
Plants & wildlife
North America's biodiversity is enormous. On the tundra and in the boreal forest live the moose, grizzly bear and caribou; on the Great Plains the bison was once the most abundant large mammal on Earth (before mass slaughter in the 19th century). The bald eagle, the national symbol of the USA, has recovered strongly after decades of protection. In prairie regions the entertaining prairie dog lives in extensive underground colonies.
Heading south, the fauna grows richer. In the forests and jungles of Central America the jaguar appears — the largest cat of the western hemisphere. The continent ranges from tundra through boreal forest, deciduous woodland, prairie and desert to tropical rainforest, comparable in diversity to Africa. More species by continent on animals by continent.
Famous places
- 🗽Statue of Liberty — iconic monument on Liberty Island in New York Harbour, a gift from France (1886).
- 🏜️Grand Canyon — 446 km long and up to 1,800 m deep gorge in Arizona, carved by the Colorado River.
- 💧Niagara Falls — cross-border waterfall on the US–Canadian border, one of the most powerful in the world.
- 🏛️Chichén Itzá — Maya temple city on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 🌉Golden Gate Bridge — suspension bridge from 1937 across the entrance to San Francisco Bay, symbol of the American west coast.
- 🌋Yellowstone — the world's first national park (1872), with geysers, hot springs and rich wildlife in Wyoming.
What time is it in North America?
North America spans approximately eight time zones, from UTC−10 on Hawaii and the Aleutians to UTC−3.5 in the Canadian province of Newfoundland. That makes scheduling intercontinental calls a puzzle: when it is 09:00 in Los Angeles, it is already 12:00 in New York and 13:30 in Newfoundland. More background on the all about time zones page.
ExampleWhen it is noon in the UK (UTC+0 in winter), it is 07:00 in New York (UTC−5), 06:00 in Mexico City (UTC−6) and 04:00 in Los Angeles (UTC−8) — the night there is only just ending. Compare time zones worldwide on the comparison page.
Live time in four North American cities, based on your device.
🎒 For kids
North America is the continent with the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and the grizzly bear. It is home to the world's second largest country by area (Canada) and one of the busiest cities on Earth (New York). Read the easy version with big pictures.
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in North America?
In 2025 North America has approximately 617 million inhabitants. The USA (~345 M), Mexico (~130 M) and Canada (~40 M) together account for more than 84% of the total population (UN WPP 2024).
What is the highest mountain in North America?
Denali in Alaska (USA) stands at 6,190 m and is the highest peak in North America. It is also the third highest point of any continent, after Everest (Asia) and Aconcagua (South America).
How many countries are in North America?
North America contains 23 countries (UN count), from Canada and the USA in the north to Panama in the south, plus the island states of the Caribbean. The full list is on countries of North America.
What are the Great Lakes?
The Great Lakes are five connected lakes on the US–Canadian border: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Together they form the largest freshwater surface in the world, holding about 21% of all surface fresh water on Earth. More on water bodies on the oceans page.
Sources
- United Nations — World Population Prospects 2024 (population figures)
- Worldometer 2025 — current estimates by country
- CIA World Factbook — area and geography
- IUCN Red List — conservation status of wildlife
- Köppen-Geiger — climate classification