At the end of the 15th century, a new, previously unknown continent was discovered, later called America. Its area is more than 40 million square meters. km Discoverers nicknamed this continent the New World.
A few words about the continent
Officially, the opening date of the mainland is considered October 12, 1492. It was on this day that the sailors of Christopher Columbus noticed the land that America turned out to be. Although the history of this part of the world began long before the discovery. There is a version that the continent got its name from the name of navigator Amerigo Vespucci (navigator on the expedition of Admiral Alonso de Ojeda).
In the modern sense, America is a part of the world that includes two continents (southern and northern) and the islands surrounding them. Previously, they belonged to different continents. The population of America is more than 950 million people, according to the 2015 census. For the first time, residents of Asia began to populate its territory. It is because of the numerous migration of the Eskimos that they are currently considered to be the indigenous inhabitants of the mainland.
Regional division of the territory
The following regions are distinguished:
- North America - includes the states: United States of America (USA) , Canada, Mexico, as well as islands located on the east coast.
- South America unites independent countries located on the mainland.
- Central America is a region that includes states located on the northern mainland south of Mexico.
- Caribbean (another name for the West Indies) - consists of the islands of the Caribbean.
Language separation
The territory of America is still classified by division according to linguistic and historical grounds:
- Latin America (Spanish, Portuguese, French-speaking countries);
- Anglo-America (English-speaking countries).
In total, America includes 36 independent countries and 17 dependent territories.
North America
The third largest continent of the planet is located in the Northern Hemisphere. This is North America. The area of the mainland is more than 20 million square meters. km With adjacent islands - more than 24 million square meters. km The largest islands in North America are Greenland, Aleutian, West Indies and Canada. The following countries belong to this region: USA, Canada, Mexico, and also Greenland, Bahamas and Bermuda. The total population of the region is more than 560 million people. The mainland is washed by the waters of three oceans: the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific. In the south it is connected with South America by the Isthmus of Panama.
The relief of North America is quite diverse. In the west stretches one of the largest mountain systems of the planet - the Cordillera Mountains, in the east, plains and low hills prevail. The highest point on the mainland is Denali (formerly McKinley) - 6,193 m.
The climate of the region is changing, from the Arctic in the north to the subequatorial in the south. Such diversity is easily explained by its large area. Air masses come to the mainland from the west, and warm trade winds prevail only in the south of the region. The region is rich in precipitation. In the northwest, they can reach 6,000 mm / year. In North America is the largest river system of the planet - p. Mississippi and Missouri, as well as the largest accumulation of fresh water in the Great Lakes of Canada.
South America
The mainland area is 17.8 million square meters. km takes 4 place among other continents. It is washed by the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. In the south, the Strait of Magellan is disconnected from Antarctica, but in the north, a narrow isthmus separates the mainland from North America. The coastline of the continent is smooth, has few bays. The border of South America (namely, the coastline) stretches for more than 30,000 km. The relief of the region is asymmetric: in the west half of the continent is a high mountain range - the Andes, in the east plains and lowlands prevail. The highest point is the city of Aconcagua (6,960 m). South America crosses the equator.
The population of this region is 387 million people. It is placed unevenly across the mainland. The most populated regions are the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the largest cities of the continent are also located there.
On the political map of this continent, there are 12 independent states and one colony - the overseas department of France - Guiana. According to the level of development of the state, they belong to the agrarian-industrial type. That is, these are countries that are developing. The most industrialized are Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Other countries are dominated by agriculture and mining.
Central America (description)
The central part is the region of America, conditionally located between the South and North continents. But territorially refers to the northern continent. The region includes 7 small states. Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama and Honduras - these are precisely what Central America consists of. Land area reaches about 2.7 million square meters. km Most of the region’s population is Hispanic. The total population is 36 million people. Most of them are engaged in agriculture. Another popular name for the region is “banana republics”. It has taken root due to the fact that more than 90% of all banana imports account for precisely these countries.
West Indies
The Caribbean (West Indies) is an island region of America. Includes islands: Caribbean, Bahamas and Antilles. The population of the region is 42 million people. Consists of 5 states: Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Almost all large islands have indented shores and comfortable bays. In addition, the region has a fairly even, warm tropical climate. This makes the West Indies a very popular tourist destination.