A

• ARCHAEOLOGY in North America includes four main periods. The continents has many archaeological sites and archaeology organizations, clubs, and societies. The Archeological Institute of America is the oldest and largest archaeological organization in North America. A variety of fossils have been found in many areas of North America including those of dinosaurs, and there are dinosaur museums, digs, & parks.

• ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA are islands in the Caribbean. Special attractions include a Sugar Plantation, National Park, Bird Sanctuary, & museums. The eruption of Montserrat caused many to settle here.

• ARUBA is an island in the Caribbean and is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Special attractions include, museums, water activities, a national park, and many natural attractions.

B

• The BAHAMAS is an island off the east coast of the United States. Special attractions include museums, a national park and the largest known underwater cave system in the world.

• BARBADOS is an island in the Caribbean and is only 22 miles long. Special attractions include a cathedral, museum, 17th century garrison, flower forest, caves, national parks and a wildlife reserve.

• BELIZE is in Central Ameria and has the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere and 3 or 4 atolls. Special attractions include a cathedral, national parks, and Mayan Ruins. Belize has several World Heritage Sites.

• Nearly 6,000 species of BIRDS are found in North America. Some countries have a National Bird. Some countries have bird observatories.

C

• CANADA is the largest country in North America and the 2nd largest country in the world. Special attractions include festivals, museums, historical sites, parks, forts, islands, lighthouses, planetariums, and sports events.

• COSTA RICA is in Central America. Special attractions include National Parks, an active volcano, museums, and a cloud forest.

• CUBA is the largest Carribean Island.Special attractions include museums, palaces, caves, and underground rivers.

• Each country in North America has its own form of CURRENCY. The official currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar, Mexico and several other countries use the peso, and the United States uses the U.S. dollar.

D

• DOMINICA and is known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean. Special attractions include Carnivals, Fort Shirley, Rainforests, Rivers, and Waterfalls.

• The DOMINICAN REPUBLIC is in the Caribbean and is consideered a sportsmans paradise. Special attractions include Museums, Churches, Botanical garden, Zoo, Aquarium, and an underground cave complex.

• DAMS are located throughout North America in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Many of them are nuclear powered. Some of the highest dams in the world are in North America.

• North America has 5 major DESERTS. The largest desert is The Great Basin Desert in the United States. The lowest desert in North America is Death Valley in California, USA.

E

• EARTHQUAKES are common in North America and often occur along the west coast of the continent. The Southern Arizona Seismic Observatory helps monitor seismic activity. The United States and Mexico have experienced many large earthquakes. The largest being in Alaska. The Denali earthquake in 2002 is believed to be the first in modern times in North American to trigger changes in geyser and hot springs far away. The largest earthquake in Canada occured off the west coast. The largest earthquake in Mexico occurred in Jelisco. The United States Geological Survey has a special webpage for kids about earthquakes.

• EL SALVADOR is the smallest country in North America and the only country in Central America without a coastline on the Caribbean sea. Special attractions include cathedral, museums, and beaches.

F

• Each country in North America has a National Flag.

• A wide variety of Wild FLOWERS grow in North America. Some countries have a National Flower. Dahlias originated in Central America.

G

• GREENLAND is the world's largest island. Special attractions include Glaciers, Norse Ruins, archeological digs, and Museums. The northern tip of Greenland is only 441 miles from the north pole.

• GRENADA is an island in the Caribbean and is the smallest independent country in western hemisphere. Special attractions include Museums, Old Forts, Waterfalls, and National Park.

• GUADELOUPE is part of an archipelego of 9 islands in the Caribbean. Special attractions include museums, open-air market, and colonial architecture.

• GUATEMALA has many Special attractions including Museums and Mayan ruins. The country experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

• The GLOBAL POSITION of North America is approximately 70-170 degrees west longitude and 10-85 degrees north latitude. The northern part of the continent lies within the Arctic Circle and the southern part of the continent reaches nearly to the equator. The continent includes central and Middle America and islands in the Caribbean. Landforms include mountains, plains, and deserts.

• Each country has its own GOVERNMENT including Canada, Mexico, United States and Central America, Caribbean. Many countries belong to International Organizations.

H

• HAITI is the western part of the Hispanola island in the Caribbean. Special attractions include Forts, Carnivals, Cloud Forests, Waterfalls, Parks, A Cave system, and coral reefs. A species of hummingbird makes their home in this country. The largest sea sponge, Elephants Ear, are in Haiti.

• HONDURAS is one of the least developed countries in Central America and experiences severe hurricanes. Special attractions include cathedrals, a basilica, and a National Park.

I

• Many ISLANDS surround North America. Greenland is the largest island in the world. The Hawaiian Islands are part of the United States. The writer of this website lives on Whidbey Island - the longest island in the contiguous United States. The Caribbean Islands include many island countries. Canada has many large islands.

J

• JAMAICA is an island in the Caribbean. Special Attractions include Botanical Gardens, Historical Sites, Nature Tours, River Rafting, Waterfalls and mineral springs, and a cave system.

• JAZZ Festivals are held throughout North America. Canada has 10 and the United States has 26. There is also a Jazz Festival on the islands of Barbardos and St. Lucia.

K

• Many aspects of life in North America focus on KIDS.

• KILOMETERS are used to measure distance in all countries in North America except the United States. All countries except the United States use the metric system of measurement.

L

• North America has many LAKES. Canada and the United States have more large lakes than the rest of the world. The Great Lakes of North America is the largest expanse of freshwater in the world. Lake Superior in Canada/US is part of the Great Lakes and the second largest lake in the world in term of surface area. Canada has about 2 million lakes, and Great Slave Lake is the longest and deepest lake in North America. Lake Nicaragua is one of largest lake in the world. The 2nd largest thermally active lake in the world is in Dominica.

• At the time of the first European contact, American Indian LANGUAGES were spoken in North America. Each country now has its own language. English is the dominant language in the United States, but there is a sizeable Spanish speaking population. Canada is officially bilingual with both English and French being spoken. Both countries have a diversity of races and ethnic groups speaking hundreds of languages. Spanish is the dominant language in Latin America except for Belize, where English is the official language. Greenlandic, Danish, & English are spoken in Greenland. Mexico and Central America have many native languages.

• Hundreds of LIGHTHOUSES are located off the coasts of North America. The oldest lighthouse in North America is Boston Light. The oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world is Gibbs Hill Lighthouse on Bermuda. Some lighthouses are publicly accessible.

M

• MEXICO is part of Latin America. Special attractions include Historic Sites, Cathedrals, Silver Mines, Museums, and archaeological sites. Baja California is part of Mexico.

• Montserrat is an island in the Caribbean Sea and an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. There is Special Warning for travers due to the eruption of Soufiere Hills Volcano.

• MOUNTAINS and mountain forests are located up and down the east and west coast of North America. Major mountain ranges include The Rockies, The Sierra Nevada, the Canadian Shield, the Alaska Range, and the Appalachians. The United States has many mountains with peaks above 14,000 feet, and the highest peak in North America is Mt. McKinley in Alaska.

• Each country of North America has its own special MUSIC. Many countries have a National Anthem. There are more than 2,500 music festivals in North America. Music in Latin America has a variety of styles and instruments. Country and gospel music is promoted in each state and country by the North america Country Music associations, In'tl. Chinese Music in North America is promoted by a Music Society.

N

• The NETHERLANDS ANTILLES is a Dutch Protectorate. Islands of the country are spaced out through the Caribbean Sea. Bonaire is one of the islands. Special attractions include a museum, an elfin forest, an old stone church, and reefs.

• NICARAGUA is part of Latin America. Special attractions include Cathedrals, Museums, Crater Lake, and Volcanoes.

• Many countries have NATIONAL PARKS and some properties in the United States and Canada are on the World Heritage List. North East Greenland National Park is the largest National Park in the world and the most difficult to get to.

O

• OBSERVATORIES are located in Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean. The United States has Observatories, Planetariums, and Astronomy Groups including several historic observatories. Mt. Wilson Observatory is in California, USA. There are also many clubs and amature observatories. Canada and the United States have Bird Observatories.

• Several OCEANS surround North America. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Arctic Ocean to the north. The Caribbean Sea lies to the southeast of the continent, and the Beaufort Sea to the northeast. The USGS provides information about why the ocean is Salty.

P

• PANAMA is part of Latin America. The Panama Canal is located at the southern tip of the country and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Special attractions include museums, Botanical Gardens, a zoo, and a rain forest.

• PUERTO RICO is an island in the Caribbean. San Juan, the capital, is the 2nd oldest city in the Americas. Special attractions include a deep submarine canyon, water sports, underground river system, and whale watching.

• POPULATION - North America has a population of over 500 million people. The United States has the largest population in North America, and Greenland is the least populated. Barbados is the most densely populated country in North America, and Greenland is the least densely populated country in the world. New York is the most populated city in North America. Canada and the United States have a tremendous diversity of races and ethnic groups.

Q

• QUEEN Elizabeth II is head of state of Canada. Liliuokalnani was Queen of the Hawaiian Islands before it became a state.

• Take a geography QUIZ about North America.

R

• North America has over a dozen major RIVERS. Fourteen of the rivers are longer than 1,000 miles. The Mississippi/Missouri River in the United States in the longest river in North America and the fourth longest in the world. Greenland is essentially a river of ice. Plans are being made to maintain the health of every major land and water system in the United States and Canada.

• Several U.S. States were named for European ROYALTY including the states of Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The state of Hawaii is the only U.S. state that was once a kingdom and has the only royal palaces in the country. The reigning monarch of the United Kingdom is the head of Canada. At one time Aztec Kings ruled Mexico.

S

• ST. KITTS AND NEVIS are islands in the Caribbean and are separated by a two mile channel. Special attractions include Historic Sites, Exotic Gardens, Water Sports, an amusement park, wildlife, petroglyphs, a National Carnival, and a Music Festival.

• ST. LUCIA is an island in the Caribbean. Special attractions include the world's only drive in volcano, a sulphur springs, National Rainforest, cultural treasures, and a Nature Reserve.

• ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES are islands in the Caribbean. Special attractions include volcanoes, waterfalls, petroglyphs and rock rarvings, a salt pond, and the best black sand beaches in the world.

• Nearly all SPORTS that are known are played in North America. Baseball is considered the National Sport in the United States. Hockey is the official National Sport of Canada. Charreria is the National Sport in Mexico.

T

• TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO are islands in the Caribbean. This is one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean because of petroleum and gas production. Special attractions include waterfalls, botanical gardens, Zoo, cave system, national park, marine park, forts, nature center, and a bird sanctuary.

• TREES - Many countries have a National TREE. The National tree for the United States is the Oak, for Mexico it is the Cypress, for Canada the Maple, and for Belize the Mahogony. North America has the second largest expanse of frontier forests.

U

• The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization UNESCO protects natural and cultural properties around the world. North America has many UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Dinosaur Provincial Park in Canada, Xochimilco in Mexico, and the Statue of Liberty in the USA. There are also many UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in North America.

• The UNITED STATES of America is the 4th largest country in the world. It is made up of 50 states which are divided into 5 regions. The country also has a number of territories, independent areas and Indian Reservations. Special attractions include museums, national parks, sports events, festivals, historical sites, and much, much more. Poverty Point in Northeast Louisiana is considered the 1st true city in North America.

V

• North America has a wide variety of VEGETATION and plants. The continent has 40% of the peatlands in the world.

• The VIRGIN ISLANDS (U.S.) is made up of 3 islands and many cays and is a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal. Special attractions include Blackbeard's Castle and Fort Christian.

• North America has many VOLCANOES. Canada, Mexico, and the United States have the most volcanoes. Some of the islands in the Caribbean also have volcanoes. Costa Rica has an active volcano. The west coast of the United States is part of the Ring of Fire. Mt. St. Helens in the United States is one of the most famous volcanoes in North America. Some countries have volcano observatories.

W

• Most of the WATERFALLS in North America are in the United States. Yosemite Falls in California, USA, is the highest waterfall in North America and one of the highest in the world.

• The WEATHER in North America varies greatly. The Yukon holds the records for the coldest temperature recorded in North America. One of the hottest places on earth is Death Valley, California.

• WEBCAMS are located throughout North America.

• North America is home to a wide variety of WILDLIFE. The continent also has several unusual animals. St. Lucia is home to the Kouwes Snake, the world's rarest snake. North America has many endangered species, and there are special programs to help them. The most endangered mammal is the black-footed ferret.

• Many WONDERS of the World are in North America including 10 Modern Wonders, 5 Forgotten Wonders, and 6 Natural Wonders.

X

• XMAS is the abbreviation for Christmas which is celebrated in North America much as it is around the world. Each country has its own special holidays including Mexico, United States, Canada, and Central America and the Caribbean.

Y

• There are over 200 YMCA organizations in North America. The first YMCA in North America was started in Canada.

• YOUTH HOSTELS are located in most of the countries of North America.

• The YUKON is one of Canada's 3 territories. Special attractions include Parks, Wildlife, Casinos, Meuseums, and Historical Sites. Gold was discovered in Dawson City.

Z

• Many countries in North America have ZOOS. Most of them are in the United States. The Belize Zoo in Central America has educationsl programs.

• North America is in several time ZONES including Eastern Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific. Only 6 countries observe Daylight Standard Time. The east-west distance in Canada puts it in 6 time zones.