Looking out from the top of ancient stone ruins in Mexico across verdant green treetops of a forest, with another ancient stone ruin peaking out above the trees in the distance, and dark clouds in the sky overhead.
North America

All About Regions in North America

The text "All About Regions in North America" in a banner atop a trio of photos.  The top photo of the three shows a river in Canada, with white rapids and boulders flowing away from the viewer and the river bank rising to hills on either side covered in red, orange, yellow, brown, and green brush and trees.  The middle photo below that shows a view from the top of an ancient stone ruin in Mexico, with a stone building rising to the left, a forest of green trees in front, and the top of another two ancient stone ruins peeking out from the treetops.  The bottom photo is a landscape shot of the Arizona steppes, with a dizzying array of red, orange, and brown stone in a variety of different formations beneath a cloudy sky.

North America is generally geographically divided into five regions: the mountainous west, the Great Plains, the Canadian Shield, the varied eastern region, and the Caribbean. Some just divide the regions mainly by Canada, Mexico, United States, Central America and the Caribbean, as well. Since my blog gives Caribbean and Central America their own sections, we’ll focus on the three largest countries in North America.


Canada

This country consists of the following provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. Canada has very varied geographic features although the Canadian Shield, the interior plains, and the Great Lakes represents about 80% of the country. It has a broadly divided climate, as well, due to its large land mass, going from the more mild Pacific Northwest to the High Arctic Tundra in the northernmost part of Canada. There are many languages spoken throughout Canada, with some believing that over 70 indigenous languages are represented covering over 12 language families. Today, the majority of Canada speaks English and French due to colonization. The main religion in Canada is Christianity. Popular destinations include: Banff National Park, Whistler, as well as traveling to see the Northern Lights in Canada’s Yukon Territory.


Mexico

This country consists of 32 federal entities: 31 states and the capital, Mexico City, which is a separate entity and is not formally recognized as a state.  While mountains cover most of Mexico, you’ll also experience deep canyons, large deserts, and dense rain forests, as well as stunning coastal beaches. Its climate is divided into three regions: Tierra Caliente, Tierra Templada and Tierra Fría, due to the variety in geographical features, as well as varied latitude coverage. There are many languages spoken throughout Mexico, including at least 63 indigenous languages recognized by the Mexican government. That being said, there are likely nearly 300 indigenous languages spoken in Mexico. Today, the majority of Mexico speaks Spanish due to colonization. The main religion in Mexico is Catholicism. Popular destinations include: Beaches, like Tulum, Cancun and Cozumel. Chichen Itza (Mayan Ruins). So many stunning cenotes, like Cenote Oxmán.


United States

This country consists of 50 states and a federal district, as well as a number of recognized territories.  Due to the size of the United States, it has a varied geography from volcanic topography in Hawaii to the rugged mountains of Alaska. Similarly, you’ll see great variety in climate with a decent percentage of the United States considered temperate, but also seeing climate regions ranging from Arctic tundra to tropical. There are believed to be over 400 languages modernly spoken in the United States. Today, the majority of the United States speaks English, although it is not considered the official language of the country. The main religion in the United States is Christianity. Every state offers their own very best attractions, including seeing the sights in New York City, exploring natural wonders in Arizona, or hitting the theme parks in Florida.


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