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Before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century,

tribes of native peoples were the only inhabitants

of North America. Since then, waves of immigration

to both Canada and the USA have made these

countries pioneers of financial growth and

contemporary culture. The mainly Spanish-speaking

countries of Central America have lush, mountainous

landscapes and are rich in tradition and culture.

North America

197

American

football helmet

INDUSTRY

The USA grew wealthy by producing vast

quantities of wheat, iron, steel, electronics, cars,

and aircraft. Fishing is an important industry

along the Pacific Coast, with salmon canned

for export. Canada is the largest exporter of

forest products, mainly softwood used in

construction, while Mexico sells its natural

gas and oil reserves.

than people, including bears, elk, and moose in the Northern parts of Canada host more animals WILDLIFE

Rocky Mountains. Across the USA, national parks

protect bison, antelope, and deer. Florida’s

the heat of Mexico’s Sonoran desert.and manatee. Snakes and scorpions can survive many rare animals such as the Florida panther Everglades is a unique wetland area, with

LANDSCAPE

One-third of Canada lies inside the Arctic Circle and

stays frozen most of the year. Heading down through

North America’s snowy Rocky Mountains and

forested Appalachians, the scenery turns into

grassy plains, known as prairies. The USA is a

mix of plains, deserts, and national parks such as

Yellowstone and Yosemite. Further south are the

beaches of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Combine harvesters

farm wheat on the

American prairies

Computer chips

from California,

the centre for

microelectronics

Canada’s harp seal

pups are born with

fluffy white fur for

extra warmth

Mexico’s guitar

groups play and

sing their traditional

mariachi music

Oscars are statues

given to film industry

winners at Hollywood’s

Academy Awards

The Rocky Mountains stretch

from Alaska in the north to the

US border in the south

The Grand Canyon

was formed by water

and ice over millions

of years

Grey-banded

kingsnake

Bison

Cadillac car

Hudson

Bay

CAN ADA

Beaufort

Sea

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Baffin
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Labrador
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St
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it

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TL

A

N

TI

C^

OC

EA

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UNITED STATES

OF AMERICA

Caribbean Sea

CUBA

JAMAICA

(^) •

-^ DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC

THE

(^) BAHAMAS
(^) •
• (^) NICARAGUA

-^ HAITI W
es

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