The theme of "continents" is quite interesting. Many hours were allocated for its study in the school curriculum. In this article, we will study in which hemisphere North America is, provide its description, and analyze the features of this continent. So, let's start the acquaintance.
Short description
North America is one of the 6 continents of the planet. It occupies the 3rd place by area (20.36 million sq. Km). What hemisphere is North America in? In order to answer this question, you will need to open a map. Pay attention to the Western Hemisphere. It is here, above the equator towards the north, that North America is located.
Geographical features and boundaries
North and South America are in the same hemisphere, but on opposite sides of the equator. This location gives many features to each of these continents, for example, climate, topography, etc. In the south, North America is connected with South. The border between them is laid across the Isthmus of Panama. In the north, America is washed by the waters of the Arctic Ocean and the Hudson Strait. The eastern shores of the mainland overlook the Atlantic Ocean, and in the southeast - into the Gulf of Mexico. From the west, the Pacific approaches the coast.
Armed with a map in order to find the answer to the question, in which hemisphere is North America, you can simultaneously get acquainted with the extreme points of this continent:
- northern - m. Murchison;
- southern - m. Maryato;
- western - m. Prince of Wales;
- eastern - m. St. Charles.
The coastline of the continent is divided unevenly. The most rugged areas are found in the northern part. They have an ice-tectonic type of surface and are fjords. In the south of the mainland, the coast is formed by corals.
North America: landforms
The relief of the mainland is also diverse. The surface is asymmetric. In the west, the large Cordillera mountain system stretched across the entire continent; in the east of North America, large plains and low mountains were located. The average height of the mainland is within 720 m. In the center of the continent is the Central American Plain.
Cordillera are represented by a number of mountain arcs. This system is one of the highest in the world, the highest point is the city of Denali with a height of 6 193 m (this peak was formerly called McKinley, considered the highest point of this area).
The mainland lies on the Precambrian North American platform. Mountain folding formed in the Caledonian, Hercynian, Mesozoic-Cenozoic periods. Most of the mainland mineral deposits are concentrated in the Cordillera and the Canadian Shield. There are deposits of iron ores, copper and nickel ores, coal, gold and non-ferrous metals. The Pacific coast is rich in oil and gas.
Features of North America: climate
The climate of the mainland is diverse. This is due to its length from north to south. North America crosses 6 climatic zones. The Arctic belt is located on the coast of the Arctic Ocean. It is dominated by low temperatures, low rainfall. The temperate zone covers most of Canada, characterized by a continental climate. The subtropical zone is in the south of the USA. It has a mild, frost-free climate, rainy winters, dry summers. The tropical and subequatorial climate is a feature of the south of the mainland, the California Peninsula, and the south of Florida. It has a favorable hot climate, with warm winters.
Water system and soil
North and South America are continents rich in water sources. All rivers of the northern continent have runoff into three oceans washing it. Water flows are characterized by great density and extent. In the north of the continent there are many lakes of glacial-tectonic origin. This is due to the fact that this territory has long been under the influence of glaciation. The Great Canadian Lakes, the largest source of fresh water on the planet, belong to this region.
North America is also famous for its variety of soils. There are a lot of them: from polar to tropical. The most fertile soils of the region are located in the center; chestnut and chernozem soils are represented.
Vegetable world
The flora of the mainland is very similar to the vegetation of Europe. In the north, it is represented by Arctic deserts, gradually turning into the tundra. A third of the territory is occupied by forest zones. The most common species is temperate forests, represented by coniferous, broad-leaved and mixed.
Territories adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico are occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. The southernmost part of the continent is represented by moist evergreen forests.
Animal world
The fauna, like the flora, is in many ways similar to Eurasia. Representatives of the tundra zone reindeer, lemmings, polar bears. Taiga: brown bear, elk, Canadian lynx, wolverine. A big problem in North America is the conservation of certain animal species (especially fur). In recent years, the number of gray foxes and squirrels, red lynxes, etc. has been significantly reduced.
Population and countries
The population of the mainland consists of 550 million people. It is located unevenly, with an average density of 20 people / km 2 . But in fact - the least populated are the north and west, the largest population is concentrated on the east coast.
On a modern political map, there are 37 states. The largest countries are Canada, the USA and Mexico.
Now each student will be able to answer the question in which hemisphere North America is and to describe in detail its features.