All about North America for Kids | Learn about the countries of the North American Continent

Summary

Explore the diverse continent of North America, home to 23 countries, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Learn about its rich geography, from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains, and the various biomes like deserts, grasslands, and coral reefs. Discover the fascinating history, including ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and Mayans. The continent is also known for landmarks like Niagara Falls, the Panama Canal, and Tikal. From diverse wildlife to significant cultural and historical facts, North America is a place of endless exploration and discovery.

Takeaways

• 😀 North America consists of 23 countries, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States being the largest.
• 🌍 The continent was named after Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci and is the third largest in the world by area.
• 🌊 North America is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, Pacific Ocean to the south and west, and Atlantic Ocean to the east.
• 🏞️ The continent features diverse geographies such as tropical rainforests, grasslands, deserts, tundras, and coral reefs.
• 🐾 North America's wildlife includes over 965 mammal species, with animals like deer, bears, wolves, and cougars.
• 🔬 Scientists believe Paleo-Indians from Eurasia crossed a land bridge to North America over 15,000 years ago.
• 📚 Ancient civilizations like the Mayans and Aztecs thrived in North America, building temples, pyramids, and creating advanced systems.
• 🌎 There are 23 countries in North America, along with several dependent territories like Puerto Rico and Greenland.
• 💬 The most commonly spoken languages in North America are English, Spanish, and French, with Canada having two official languages: French and English.
• 🌍 Central America connects North and South America, with seven countries: El Salvador, Panama, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
• 🛠️ Famous North American landmarks include the Panama Canal, Tikal in Guatemala, the Great Pyramid of Tenochititlan, and Niagara Falls.

Q & A

What are the three largest countries in North America?

The three largest countries in North America are the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Who was North America named after?

North America was named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

What percentage of the Earth's total land area does North America cover?

North America covers 16.5% of the Earth's total land area.

What is the largest freshwater lake in the world?

Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world.

How many species of mammals are found in North America?

North America is home to about 965 species of mammals.

Which ancient civilizations thrived in North America?

The Mayans and the Aztecs were two ancient civilizations that thrived in North America.

What is the Panama Canal?

The Panama Canal is an artificial 48-mile waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

What is the most populous city in North America?

Mexico City is the most populous city in North America, with 9 million people living in the city itself and an additional 20 million in the metropolitan area.

What is the highest flow rate waterfall in North America?

Niagara Falls, located on the border between Canada and the United States, has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America.

What is the most commonly spoken language in Canada?

The most commonly spoken languages in Canada are English and French, as Canada has two official languages.