North America is the third-largest continent on Earth, extending entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bounded by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and is connected to South America by the Isthmus of Panama in the southeast. The continent encompasses a vast range of climates and landscapes, including Arctic tundra in the far north, expansive boreal forests, temperate grasslands, deserts, and tropical regions in Central America and the Caribbean.
Geographically, North America includes three large countries—Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico—along with the nations of Central America (such as Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) and the island states and territories of the Caribbean (including Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and many others). Major physical features include the Rocky Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, the Great Plains, the Canadian Shield, the Mississippi–Missouri river system, the Great Lakes, and extensive coastal plains. These diverse environments support rich ecosystems and significant biodiversityDraft overviewBiodiversityBiodiversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth at all levels of organization: genes, species, and ecosystems. It encompasses the immense range of organisms—from micro…, from polar bears and caribou in the north to tropical species in the rainforests and coral reefs of the south.
Historically, North America has been inhabited for tens of thousands of years by Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada; Native American nations in the United States; and numerous Indigenous groups in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. These societies developed complex cultures, languages, and political structures, such as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Maya civilization, and the Aztec Empire. European exploration and colonization began in the late 15th century, led primarily by Spain, France, and England, followed by other powers. Colonization brought profound changes: the displacement and decimation of Indigenous populations, the transatlantic slave trade, and the establishment of colonial economies and new political entities.
In the modern era, North America is a major center of global economic, political, and cultural influence. The United States and Canada are among the world’s largest economies, with advanced industrial, technological, and service sectors. Mexico and many Central American and Caribbean nations play crucial roles in regional trade, agricultureDraft overviewAgricultureIn Jain studies, agriculture (kṛṣi) is examined not only as an economic activity but also as an ethical domain involving complex interactions with living beings. Jain traditions historically recognized agriculture as a n…, manufacturing, tourism, and migration networks. Institutions such as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Organization of American States (OAS) reflect efforts at economic integration and political cooperation.
Culturally, North America is characterized by significant diversity and ongoing interaction among Indigenous traditions, European settler cultures, African diasporic communities, and more recent immigrants from Asia, Latin America, and other regions. This diversity is expressed in languages, religions, arts, cuisines, and social movements. English, Spanish, and French are the most widely spoken colonial languages, alongside hundreds of Indigenous languages. Religious life includes Christianity in many forms, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Indigenous spiritual traditions. North American cultural production—literature, film, musicDraft overviewMusicIn Jain thought, music (sangīta) is woven into a larger ethical and spiritual framework rather than treated as a purely aesthetic pursuit. Jain sources—from early narrative literature to later technical treatises—present…, digital media—has global reach, shaping and reflecting debates about identityDraft overviewIdentityIn Jain thought, “identity” is not a fixed social or psychological construct but a layered concept centered on the ontological nature of the jīva (sentient being). Across Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions, identity is …, democracy, environment, and social justice.
North America faces significant contemporary challenges and opportunities. Environmental issues include climate changeDraft overviewClimate changeClimate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures, precipitation patterns, and atmospheric conditions driven primarily by human activities—especially the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industr…, melting Arctic ice, wildfires, hurricanes, biodiversityDraft overviewBiodiversityBiodiversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth at all levels of organization: genes, species, and ecosystems. It encompasses the immense range of organisms—from micro… loss, and pollutionDraft overviewPollutionIn Jain thought, pollution (often discussed under terms such as *ashuddhi*, *parisaha*, or forms of *himsa* toward the environment) refers not only to the physical contamination of air, water, and soil but also to the et…, prompting cross-border cooperation on conservationDraft overviewConservationIn Jain thought, “conservation” is not a modern environmental policy term but a principle emerging from the core doctrines of **ahiṃsā (non‑violence)**, **aparigraha (non‑possessiveness)**, and the recognition that **all… and sustainable development. Social and political questions involve Indigenous rights and sovereignty, migration and border policies, racial and economic inequality, urbanization, and the governance of rapidly changing technologies. At the same time, the continent’s scientific institutions, educational systems, and civil society organizations contribute to global innovation and dialogue. As a geographic, historical, and cultural entity, North America continues to evolve, shaped by its deep Indigenous roots, colonial legacies, and ongoing efforts toward more inclusive and sustainable futures.