North America
Definition
North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It includes countries like Canada, United States, Mexico and many smaller states in Central America and Caribbean islands.
Analogy
Think of North America as a big shopping mall. Each country in it (like Canada, USA, Mexico) is like a different store or shop within that mall - each one has its own unique products (cultures), but they're all under one roof!
Related terms
Continental Divide: A drainage divide on a continent such that the drainage basin on one side of the divide feeds into one ocean or sea, and the basin on the other side either feeds into a different ocean or sea.
Great Plains: A broad expanse of flat land in central North America, stretching from Texas northward to Canada, often described as being "between Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains".
Native American Tribes: Indigenous peoples who lived in North America before European explorers arrived in 15th century. They have diverse cultures and histories with over 500 recognized tribes today.
"North America" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (20+)
Which conflict led to the French losing control of North America to the British?
Who primarily dominated colonizing North America before the English arrived?
Who were primarily responsible for exploring and settling French territories in North America?
How did African cultures influence the development of colonial societies in North America?
Which law passed in 1607 allowed the English to establish Jamestown, their first permanent settlement in North America?
Which conflict led to the first permanent English colony in North America?
Which conflict marked the beginning of European colonization in North America?
How might early colonial history have been altered had Portugal continued their explorations in North America after Cabral's discovery?
What was a primary economic driver for English colonization in North America during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries?
Which of the following was a persistent aspect of European colonization in North America?
What characteristic remained consistent throughout the development and expansion of European colonies in North America?
What might have been an outcome if Spain had successfully stopped other European powers from establishing footholds in North America?
Which European monarch sent John Cabot on an expedition that expanded their realm's influence in North America during period of transatlantic trade?
Which legislation first legally defined racial slavery in North America?
How did Spain's colonization efforts in North America contrast with France’s objectives during Period 2?
What was a significant factor that encouraged continuity of British colonial expansion in North America during the 1600s?
How did Britain's victory in the Seven Years' War impact France's position in North America?
How did outcomes of the Treaty of Paris affect Spanish influence in North America?
Which act was passed by Parliament in 1764 to reduce smuggling in the British colonies in North America?
Which U.S policy emphasized territorial expansion across North America?
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