When you think of North America, you probably think of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. But when you add all the countries in the Caribbean, there are more countries in the North American continent than you think! Keep reading to learn how many countries are in North America, as well as how many territories there are.
What Countries Are in North America?
The continent of North America is in the Western Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere and spans more than 24,709,000 km² (9,540,000 mi²).
There are 23 countries in North America, as well as more than two dozen non-sovereign territories, including Bermuda, Aruba, the Cayman Islands, Greenland, and Puerto Rico. The primary language in North America is English, followed by Spanish and French.
North America is divided into three general areas: Northern America, the Caribbean, and (somewhat confusingly) Central America. Linguistically and culturally, North America can be divided into Anglo-America to the north and Latin America to the south.
North America is home to the oldest mountain range in the world, the Appalachian Mountains, which run parallel to the continent’s east coast from the U.S. state of Alabama up to Canada. North America is also a major source of information about geologic periods. More dinosaur fossils have been unearthed in the United States alone than in any other modern country.
Countries in North America
Most of North America’s area consists of three large nations and one large island territory. They are Canada, the United States of America (USA), Mexico, and Greenland.
There are also seven smaller nations at its southern extreme (collectively known as Central America), around two dozen island nations and territories of various sizes in the Caribbean, and one isolated French territory (Saint-Pierre and Miquelon) off the Canadian Atlantic coast.
Although the Central American and the Caribbean regions are technically part of the North American continent, they are commonly listed separately from their larger neighbors to the north and hence the distinctive region names for both cultural and geographical reasons.
Canada
Canada certainly has vast expanses of breathtaking, unspoiled wilderness, but it also features some of the world’s most modern, cosmopolitan cities. From the majestic Pacific coast to the laid-back beauty of the Atlantic coast, more than 5,000 KM, Canada has something for everyone.
Caribbean
White sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and laid-back island culture make the Caribbean one of the world’s top vacation spots.
Central America
The seven small nations of this isthmus connecting North and South America blend elements of both continents; you’ll find bustling cities, long coastlines, ancient jungle ruins, and Spanish-tinged mestizo and Afro-Indian cultures.
Greenland
A self-governing country, but officially still part of Denmark, Greenland is a vast island of stark landscapes and midnight sun.
Mexico
Mexico is a big tourist attraction for sun-seekers and historians alike; the former flock to Mexico’s tropical beaches, while the latter find the artifacts of the ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations fascinating.
United States of America.
One of the largest, most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations on Earth includes some of the world’s most famous cities, natural parks of unspeakable beauty, and virtually everything in between.
How Many Countries Are There in North America?
There are 23 countries in North America:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States
The United States takes the lead as the largest country by population, while Canada is the largest by area at 9.9 million km². The smallest country, both in population and area, is Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Greenland is also counted as a part of North America because of its geographical location. However, being part of Denmark, it is not a sovereign country.
List of Countries Are in North America
| Country | Capital | Area | Population (2021) |
| United States of America | Washington | 9,629,091 km2 | 327 million people |
| Mexico | Mexico City | 1,964,375 km2 | 126 million people |
| Canada | Ottawa | 9,984,670 km2 | 37 million people |
| Guatemala | Guatemala City | 108,889 km2 | 17 million people |
| Cuba | Havana | 109,886 km2 | 11 million people |
| Haiti | Port au Prince | 27,750 km2 | 11 million people |
| Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo | 48,671 km2 | 10 million people |
| Honduras | Tegucigalpa | 112,492 km2 | 9 million people |
| Nicaragua | Managua | 130,373 km2 | 6 million people |
| El Salvador | San Salvador | 21,041 km2 | 6 million people |
| Costa Rica | San José | 51,100 km2 | 4 million people |
| Panama | Panama City | 75,417 km2 | 4 million people |
| Jamaica | Kingston | 10,991 km2 | 2 million people |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain | 5,130 km2 | 1 million people |
| Belize | Belmopan | 22,966 km2 | 383,056 people |
| Bahamas | Nassau | 13,943 km2 | 385,629 people |
| Barbados | Bridgetown | 430 km2 | 286,640 people |
| Saint Lucia | Castries | 539 km2 | 181,887 people |
| Grenada | St. George’s | 344 km2 | 111,453 people |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Kingstown | 389 km2 | 110,210 people |
| Antigua and Barbuda | St. John’s | 442 km2 | 96, 284 people |
| Dominica | Roseau | 751 km2 | 71,625 people |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Basseterre | 261 km2 | 52, 440 people |
North America Geography Notes
Two of North America’s most interesting geographical features are the Great Plains and the Mississippi River System, both impressive in so many ways.
Great Plains: The Great Plains of North America slope east from the Rockies and extend to the edge of the Canadian Shield and the western edges of the Appalachians. The land is generally smooth with large treeless areas and shallow river valleys. Minor hills and mountains are found in the Ozark Plateau of Missouri, and in the Boston Mountains and Ouachita Mountains of northwestern Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Sandhills and buttes cover parts of the north central U.S. in Nebraska.
Mississippi River System: It is the major river of North America and the United States at (2,339 miles) (3,765 km) in length. It flows from northwestern Minnesota south to the Gulf of Mexico, just below the city of New Orleans. It is a significant transportation artery and when combined with its major tributaries (the Missouri and Ohio rivers) it becomes the third largest river system in the world at (3,877 miles) (6,236 km) in length.
North America Geography Facts
- Percent of Earth’s Land: 16.5%
- Highest Point: Mt McKinley in Alaska, 20,322ft (6,194m) (see map)
- Lowest Point: Death Valley in California, -282 ft (-86m) below sea level (see map)
- Geographic Center: The United States Geographical Survey states that the geographic center of North America is “6 miles west of Balta, Pierce County, North Dakota” at approximately 48° 10´ N 100° 10´ W. (see map)
- Horizontal Width: From San Francisco, California, east to New York City, NY: 2,582 miles (4,156 km) (see map)
- Vertical Length: From Barrow, Alaska, directly southeast to Panama City, Panama: 5,347 miles (8,605 km) (see map)