North America

North America is the 3^rd largest continent according to its landmass. It is located at 7°12' north to 83°7' North latitude and 52°37' west to 172°27' East longitude, and has an area of 25.3 million sq.km (9.3 million sq. miles). The continent is bounded by The Atlantic Ocean in the east, The Pacific Ocean in the west, The Arctic Ocean in the north, The Panama Canal and the Caribbean Sea in the south, and The Bering Strait in the north-west. It has 23 countries including the island nations of Central and Latin America with 16 territories.

The chief mountain chains here are the Rocky Mountain chain of approximately 4800km from North-South, Sierra Nevada, Sierra Madre and Appalachian Highland, Mt. McKinley (6194m) and Mt. Elbert (4399m). The rivers that flow here are the Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Rio Grande, St. Lawrence, Yukon and Colorado. There are some great lakes like the Great Bear, Great Slave, Superior, Huron, Michigan, Winnipeg and Ontario. The Niagara Falls is a world famous waterfall which straddles the international border between the Canada and United States. The Grand Canyon is the second deepest gorge in the world and is made by river Colorado. The Death Valley is the hottest place here with 150 sq. km. area and has an average temperature which does not fall below 50^oC.

Climate and Vegetation

The factor affecting the climate and vegetation of this continent are: latitude position, the Rocky Mountain Chain and coastal influence. Due to the influence of these factors, climate of North America greatly varies from one place to other places. There is extreme cold winter and very short summer with the maximum temperature of 10°C to 12°C. There is Tundra type of climate and vegetation called Taiga, with alpine forest consisting of soft wood. This forest is dense in Northwest and thinner towards East. The tall alpine trees are good in pulp and timber industries.

1. Central part of North America: This region is cold in winter and hot in summer with less rainfall. About 150 mm annual rainfall takes place in this region. Vegetation consists of forest with scattered trees and large grass land which is called Prairies.

   

2. Southern-Lower part of North America: It has mild winter and warm summer with adequate rainfall, due to coastal influence. It has coniferous forest.

   

3. The Northern Part: The tundra type of climate is found in this part of North America. The climate is extremely cold throughout the year. The summer is very short and the winter is very long in this part. The temperature of this region varies from 0°C to 12°C. The climate in this part has been affected by influence of longitude.

   

Physical Division

1. The Western Mountains: The Rocky mountain chain is located in western part of North America. It is 4800 km which includes different mountain ranges like, the Alaska Range, the Sierra Nevada, and Sierra Madre. The region is the main source of large perennial rivers, mines and tourists sites.

   

2. The Central Lowlands (Prairies): It is a vast plain land which is very fertile and rich for cultivation and supported by the beautiful and large rivers for irrigation. It is favorable for wheat farming, cattle rearing, agro-based industrialization and networking of international market.

   

3. Eastern Plateaus (Highlands): It is extended from the Hudson Bay in the North to the Gulf of Mexico in the South which includes Appalachian mountain. This is also called the Great Mississippi Plain because the Mississippi river and its tributaries flow in the middle of the highland to the lowland.