North America
From YourTravelGuide
North America is the third largest continent in area, covering 16.4% of the Earth’s land surface. Fourth largest inhabited continent, the population is nearly 515 million, as of 2006.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
[edit] Current Events
[edit] History
[edit] Culture
[edit] Languages
The three major languages are English, Spanish and French. While the United States’ main language is English, (other than the state of Louisiana, where French is also an official language) Canada shares a bilingual national language of English and French; as do the French West Indies and Haiti. The regions of the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America are mostly Spanish speaking, however, there are many dialects due to their history with Spain and indigenous people such as the Aztecs and Incas.
[edit] Climate and agriculture
Considering the northern border of North America lies just south of the Arctic Circle, and the most southern tip is approximately 500 miles north of the equator, the continent has a very diversified climate. This variant climate allows for an agriculturally rich continent, from deep, rich farmland for growing corn, wheat, and other food staples, to warmer regions for growing luscious fruit trees, cotton, and tobacco.
[edit] Geography
[edit] Coastline
North America is bordered on the north by the Artic Sea, the east by the Atlantic Ocean, the southeast by the Caribbean Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and the west by the Pacific Ocean, giving it a total coastline of no less than 400,000 km.
Along with the diversity in agriculture crops, the waters of the continent produce an abundance of marine resources, both for consumption and pleasure. It is important to note here, that 50% of the United States’ population lives in coastal areas. A 1998 report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration concludes that by 2025, this number will reach 75%, meaning that the coastal regions are very economically important. Although, the benefits resulting in the use of the living resources is endangered due to fishery operations, chemical pollution, depletion of oxygen, and alterations in physical habitats, the OCAA and the National Research Council are concerned that new threats, such as ozone depletion and global warming are just as threatening, if not more.
[edit] Regions
North America is split into five distinct regions. Due to similar pasts, Canada and the United States share similar culture and traditions and are economically superior to other regions of the continent. The Caribbean region, and Central America are the least economically stable, and Mexico lies somewhere in between.
[edit] Countries
[edit] Transport
[edit] Get There
[edit] Get Around
[edit] See
[edit] Highlights
[edit] World Heritage Sites
There are 87 World Heritage Sites within North America, including, 13 in Canada, 19 in the United States, 26 in Mexico, and 29 in the Caribbean and Central America.
[edit] Canada
Dinosaur Provincial Park, located in the Province of Alberta, in the heart of Canada’s badlands. It contains fossils dating back nearly 75 million years.
Miguasha National Park in southeastern Quebec, is Canada’s latest World Heritage Site. It is considered to be the world’s most outstanding representation of the ‘Age of Fishes.’ The site has the largest number and best preserved fossils of lobe-finned fishes, dating back 370 million years, which are said to be the first four-legged, air-breathing terrestrial vertebrates.
[edit] United States
Pueblo de Taos sits in the valley of a Rio Grande tributary. It is made up of dwellings and buildings representative of the Adobe Indians of Arizona and New Mexico.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park creates the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. With nearly 495,000 acres, this enormously stunning park is home to over 3,500 plant species, including 130 natural species trees. There are many endangered wildlife species, including the largest variety of salamanders in the world. Due to it being unscathed, the park gives an ideal image of wildlife and flora before the influence of humans.
[edit] Mexico
Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza is the site of one of the greatest Mayan centers on the Yucatan Peninsula. A prime example of Mayan-Toltec civilization, the monuments and architectural artistry give a visualization of 1000 years of the indigenous people’s history.
Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, located in the center of the Baja Peninsula, is home to interesting ecosystems. The coastal lagoons are the mating and wintering sites for: grey whales, harbor seals, seal lions, elephant seals and blue whales. It is also home to four species of endangered marine turtles.
