North America is one of the two continents of the Americas situated entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
It lies between the Pacific ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
We take a look at some of the fascinating facts of the most popular country in the world!
History of North America
The History of North America sure has its complex layers with different explorers and the stories behind them!
America is named after the Italian sailor Amerigo Vespucci.
In the early 1400's a group of Europeans set off exploring South America.
It was Vespucci who noticed that there is an entirely different land mass in the North!
He was the first person to realize that West Indies and Brazil are a part of a separate landmass of their own.
In honor of the discovery, his companions decided to name this continent Americus, but it later took the feminine pronunciation 'America'.
Theory also states that Christopher Columbus set sail across the Atlantic from the Spain route in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502.
He wanted to find a direct water route from Europe to Asia, but could not find one.
He accidentally stumbled upon the Americas where people had already settled! The exact date when he only 'ARRIVED' in North America is October 12.
The day is celebrated as Columbus Day every year.
Geographical Facts- Quick Glance
Area: 9.5 million square miles.
Third Largest continent in the world(23 countries in total).
Largest city: Mexico City, New York, Los Angeles.
Most common language spoken: English and Spanish.
The Geological Core of the continent is over 1.5 billion years old.
Majority of the portion of North America includes Canada, United States of America, Mexico and Greenland.
NA has a diverse and impressive topography. It has tropical rain forest, grasslands, desert, tundra and the coral reefs.
The highest point in North America is Mount McKinley (also known as Denali). Its summit elevation is 20,310 feet.
The lowest point in North America is 'Death Valley'. It is also the place where the world's hottest temperature is recorded 134 degree F.
Native North Americans
The first Native Americans are believed to have migrated from Asia by a land bridge which connected the two continents more than 15,000 years ago.
These native Americans came from a single population group during the times of the last ice-age. From this time onwards the population boomed extensively.
The population rapidly spread all across Americas and the Pacific coast.
Today the population stands over 565 million!!!
Wildlife
When it comes to NA it goes without saying that it consists of a rich and diverse wildlife which is as diverse as its geographical canvas!
965 species of mammals are found in North America right from different rabbits, to raccoons to deer and coyote.
North America's most iconic mammals are the bear, wolf and the cougar.
The oceans in North America include rich aquatic life such as whales, dolphins and sharks.
Miscellaneous Facts about North America
Mexico City is the largest city in NA.
It is the capital of Mexico and has a population of 20 million.
It is also an important financial center.
Mexico is one of the most earthquake prone areas of the continent.
The American One Dollar Bill consists of many hidden images, one is of a spider in the upper right corner.
The Green Ink which is used in the American money was invented at the McGill University in Montreal in 1857 by Thomas Hunt.
North America grows almost half of the world's corn supply.
The 'CORN BELT' includes Western Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Eastern Kansas.
North America has hosted the Olympics 12 times. The first event was held in 1904.
Facts at A Glance
Over a hundred Tornadoes enter the Prairies every year in NA.
Detroit is the world famous manufacturer of cars.
Akron is the biggest manufacturing unit of rubber and tires.
The Wood Buffalo National Park is the world's largest Park, located in Canada.