List of Countries in North America (Alphabetical Order)

As a subcontinent of the Americas, North America is located within Western Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere. Being the third largest continent after Asia and Africa, the North America continent has an area of 24,709,000 km², accounting for 16.5% of world’s total land area. With population of 579,024,000, the continent contributes to 7.5% of the world’s population.

How Many Countries in North America

As of 2024, there are a total of 24 countries in North America. Among them, Canada is the largest country by area and United States is the biggest one by population. By contrast, the smallest country in North American continent is Saint Kitts and Nevis, composed by two small islands.

The most common languages are English and Spanish, while many other languages are also spoken, including French, Dutch, and Indian languages. Residents are primarily Protestant or Catholic.

List of All North American Countries

See the following for full list of twenty-four northern American countries in alphabetical order:

#	Flag	Country	Official Name	Independence Date	Population
1		Antigua and Barbuda	Antigua and Barbuda	November 1, 1981	97,940
2		Bahamas	Commonwealth of the Bahamas	July 10, 1973	393,255
3		Barbados	Barbados	November 30, 1966	287,386
4		Belize	Belize	September 21, 1981	397,639
5		Bermuda	Bermuda	–
6		Canada	Canada	July 1, 1867	37,742,165
7		Costa Rica	Republic of Costa Rica	September 15, 1821	5,094,129
8		Cuba	Republic of Cuba	January 1, 1959	11,326,627
9		Dominica	Commonwealth of Dominica	November 3, 1978	71,997
10		Dominican Republic	Dominican Republic	February 27, 1821	10,847,921
11		El Salvador	Republic of El Salvador	September 15, 1821	6,486,216
12		Grenada	Grenada	February 7, 1974	112,534
13		Guatemala	Republic of Guatemala	September 15, 1821	17,915,579
14		Haiti	Republic of Haiti	January 1, 1804	11,402,539
15		Honduras	Republic of Honduras	September 15, 1821	9,904,618
16		Jamaica	Jamaica	August 6, 1962	2,961,178
17		Mexico	United Mexican States	September 16, 1810	128,932,764
18		Nicaragua	Republic of Nicaragua	September 15, 1821	6,624,565
19		Panama	Republic of Panama	November 28, 1821	4,314,778
20		St. Kitts and Nevis	Saint Kitts and Nevis	September 19, 1983	52,441
21		St. Lucia	Saint Lucia	February 22, 1979	181,889
22		St. Vincent and The Grenadines	Saint Vincent and The Grenadines	October 27, 1979	110,951
23		Trinidad and Tobago	Republic of Trinidad and Tobago	August 31, 1962	1,399,499
24		United States	United States of America	July 4, 1776	331,002,662

Location Map of North America

Biggest Countries in North America and Profiles

Canada

• Capital: Ottawa
• Area: 9,984,670 km²
• Languages: English and French
• Currency: Canadian Dollar

The Canada consists of 10 provinces – Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan and three territories – the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

United States of America

• Capital: Washington, DC
• Area: 9,831,510 km²
• Language: English
• Currency: US Dollar

The United States has 50 states, which are represented on the existing fifty stars of that nation’s flag.

They are: Alabama, Alaska, Arcansas, Arizona, California, Cansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Conecticute, North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Rhodes Island, Illinois , Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee , Texas, Utah, Vermonte, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, Wiscosin and Wyoming.

Greenland

• Capital: Nuuk
• Area: 2,166,086 km²
• Language: Greenlandic
• Currency: Danish Krone

The Greenland is divided into three counties: West Greenland, Greenland Oridental and northern Greenland.

Mexico

• Capital: Mexico City
• Territorial extension: 1,964,380 km²
• Language: Spanish
• Currency: Mexican Peso

The Mexico is divided into 31 states: Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chiuaua, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico State, Michoacán de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, New Lion, Oaxaca, Povoa, Arteaga Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan and Zaratecas.

Brief History of North America

Pre-Columbian Era

Indigenous Civilizations

Before European contact, North America was home to diverse indigenous cultures and civilizations. Among these were the Ancestral Puebloans in the Southwest, known for their cliff dwellings and complex societies, and the Mississippian culture in the Southeast, noted for their mound-building and large urban centers like Cahokia. The Inuit and Aleut peoples thrived in the Arctic regions, while the Iroquois Confederacy in the Northeast developed sophisticated political structures and alliances.

European Exploration and Colonization

Early Explorers

In the late 10th century, Norse explorers led by Leif Erikson established a settlement at Vinland, believed to be in modern-day Newfoundland, Canada. However, sustained European exploration did not begin until the late 15th and early 16th centuries, with figures like Christopher Columbus and John Cabot charting the coasts.

Spanish, French, and English Colonization

The Spanish were among the first to establish colonies in North America, founding St. Augustine in Florida in 1565 and exploring the Southwest. The French, led by explorers like Samuel de Champlain, founded Quebec in 1608 and expanded their influence through the fur trade in the Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley regions.

The English established Jamestown in Virginia in 1607 and Plymouth Colony in 1620. The English colonies grew rapidly, driven by agriculture, trade, and a steady influx of settlers. Over time, these colonies developed distinct regional identities: New England’s focus on trade and industry, the Middle Colonies’ diverse economy and religious tolerance, and the Southern Colonies’ reliance on plantation agriculture and slavery.

Colonial Era and Independence

Conflict and Consolidation

The 17th and 18th centuries saw numerous conflicts between European powers vying for control of North America. The French and Indian War (1754-1763), part of the larger Seven Years’ War, ended with the Treaty of Paris (1763), which ceded French territories in Canada and the eastern Mississippi River valley to the British.

American Revolution

Tensions between the British crown and its American colonies grew in the 1760s and 1770s over issues like taxation without representation. These tensions culminated in the American Revolution (1775-1783). The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, articulated the colonies’ desire for self-governance. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris (1783), recognizing the United States’ independence.

Expansion and Conflict

Westward Expansion

The 19th century was marked by rapid territorial expansion in the United States, driven by the ideology of Manifest Destiny—the belief that the nation was destined to expand across the continent. Key events included the Louisiana Purchase (1803), the annexation of Texas (1845), and the Oregon Trail migrations. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 spurred further westward movement.

Indigenous Displacement

Expansion often came at the expense of indigenous populations, who were forcibly relocated through policies like the Indian Removal Act of 1830, leading to the Trail of Tears. Conflicts such as the Seminole Wars and the Plains Indian Wars further decimated native populations and cultures.

Civil War and Reconstruction

The expansion of slavery into new territories fueled sectional tensions, leading to the American Civil War (1861-1865). The war ended with the defeat of the Confederate States and the abolition of slavery (13th Amendment). The Reconstruction era (1865-1877) sought to rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into society, but it was marked by significant political and social challenges.

Industrialization and Modernization

Economic Growth and Immigration

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw significant industrial growth, with advances in technology and transportation, such as the transcontinental railroad. This period also saw a large influx of immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Latin America, contributing to the rapid urbanization of cities.

Social and Political Changes

Progressive movements in the early 20th century addressed issues like labor rights, women’s suffrage (19th Amendment in 1920), and prohibition (18th Amendment in 1920). The Great Depression (1929-1939) brought economic hardship, leading to the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which aimed to restore economic stability and provide social safety nets.

World Wars and Cold War

World War I and II

The United States played a significant role in both World Wars, emerging as a global superpower after World War II. The post-war era saw economic prosperity, technological advancements, and the establishment of international institutions like the United Nations.

Cold War Era

The Cold War (1947-1991) was characterized by ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to proxy wars, the arms race, and the space race. Key events included the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War. The Cold War ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Contemporary Era

Civil Rights and Social Movements

The mid-20th century was marked by the Civil Rights Movement, which fought for the end of racial segregation and discrimination. Landmark achievements included the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Subsequent decades saw continued advocacy for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental protection.

Economic and Political Developments

The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw significant economic changes, including the rise of the technology sector and globalization. Politically, North America has faced challenges such as terrorism, economic inequality, and immigration reform. The United States, Canada, and Mexico continue to play influential roles on the global stage, with regional cooperation through agreements like NAFTA and its successor, the USMCA.