Countries of North America
North America has 23 recognised sovereign states, from the continental giant Canada to the smallest Caribbean island republics. Together they are home to more than 617 million people across an area of nearly 24.7 million km².
A continent in three zones
Geographers typically divide North America into three zones: the mainland north of Panama (North America in the strict sense), Central America and the Caribbean. This division is not purely political but also reflects climate and cultural history. The continent's North America page contains extensive information on geography and climate.
The three largest countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — together account for more than 85% of the total land area. Canada, at nearly 10 million km², is the second largest country in the world; the United States ranks fourth. Mexico, with over 130 million inhabitants, is the world's most populous Spanish-speaking country. See also largest countries by area.
Central America and the Caribbean
The seven countries of Central America — Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama — link the continent to South America. They are small in area but collectively densely populated, with vibrant cultures blending indigenous, European and African traditions.
The Caribbean contains dozens of islands, of which fourteen are independent states. Cuba, with over 11 million inhabitants, is the largest Caribbean state. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and smaller island states complete the picture. To compare figures across countries, use the compare page.
All 23 countries of North America
The table below shows all sovereign states that the UN counts as part of North America, with their official capital and the most recent population estimate (as of 2025). Source: UN WPP 2024, Worldometer 2025.
| Country | Capital | Population (2025, estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Washington D.C. | 345,000,000 |
| Mexico | Mexico City | 132,000,000 |
| Canada | Ottawa | 40,000,000 |
| Guatemala | Guatemala City | 18,100,000 |
| Cuba | Havana | 11,200,000 |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince | 11,700,000 |
| Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo | 11,200,000 |
| Honduras | Tegucigalpa | 10,600,000 |
| El Salvador | San Salvador | 6,600,000 |
| Nicaragua | Managua | 6,900,000 |
| Costa Rica | San José | 5,200,000 |
| Panama | Panama City | 4,500,000 |
| Jamaica | Kingston | 2,800,000 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain | 1,500,000 |
| Belize | Belmopan | 430,000 |
| Bahamas | Nassau | 410,000 |
| Barbados | Bridgetown | 290,000 |
| Saint Lucia | Castries | 185,000 |
| Grenada | Saint George's | 125,000 |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Kingstown | 110,000 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Saint John's | 100,000 |
| Dominica | Roseau | 73,000 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Basseterre | 47,000 |
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024, Worldometer 2025.
Political diversity
North America has a rich variety of political systems. Canada is a constitutional monarchy with the British Crown as head of state; the United States is a federal republic with 50 states; Mexico is also a federal republic, but with a presidential system closely interwoven with regional traditions. The Central American countries are each unitary republics.
In the Caribbean, several forms exist: Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas are constitutional monarchies within the Commonwealth, while Cuba is a one-party state and Trinidad and Tobago a full republic. This political diversity reflects the layered colonial and independence histories of the continent.
Population and cities
North America's population is heavily concentrated in a few metropolitan areas. The Mexico City urban area has nearly 22 million inhabitants, making it one of the largest agglomerations in the world. New York, with over 18 million in its metropolitan zone, also ranks among the global top ten. Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto follow.
Striking is the contrast between the density of the US coastal strips and the almost empty interior of Canada and Alaska. More than 80% of North Americans live in urban areas. Population growth varies sharply: Canada is growing rapidly through immigration, while some Caribbean island states face emigration to larger neighbouring countries.
Languages and borders
The continent has three major colonial languages as official tongues. English dominates in the United States, Canada (outside Quebec), Jamaica and most Caribbean island states. Spanish is the official language of Mexico, the seven Central American countries, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (a US territory). French is the official language of Haiti and the Canadian province of Quebec. Alongside these colonial legacies, dozens of indigenous languages exist: Nahuatl and Mayan languages in Mexico, Quiché in Guatemala, and various Algonquian and Iroquoian languages in Canada.
The US–Mexico border (over 3,100 km) is one of the most frequently crossed borders in the world. The US–Canada border (more than 8,800 km, including Alaska) is known as the world's longest undefended border. The Panama Canal, at the continent's narrowest point, connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is of critical importance to world trade.
Sources
- United Nations — World Population Prospects 2024 (population by country)
- Worldometer 2025 — current estimates
- CIA World Factbook — area, system of government and capitals
- UN Geographic Region Classification M49