In which hemisphere is North America? Description of continent

The theme of "continents" is quite interesting. To study it, many hours are allocated in the school curriculum. In this article we will study in which hemisphere North America is located, give its description, analyze the characteristics of this continent. So, let's begin our acquaintance.

Short description

North America is one of the 6 continents of the planet. It occupies the third place in terms of area (20.36 million sq. Km). In which hemisphere is North America? In order to answer this question, you will need to open the card. Pay attention to the Western Hemisphere. It is here, above the equator in the direction to the north, is North America.

Geographical features and boundaries

North and South America are in the same hemisphere, but on opposite sides of the equator. Such an arrangement gives many features to each of these continents, for example, climate, relief, etc. In the south, North America connects to the South. The boundary between them is laid through the Isthmus of Panama. In the North America, the waters of the Arctic Ocean and the Hudson Strait are washed. The eastern coast of the mainland overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, and in the southeast - the Gulf of Mexico. From the west, the Pacific Ocean approaches the coast.

Armed with a map to find the answer to the question, in which hemisphere is North America, you can simultaneously read the extreme points of the mainland:

• Northern - m. Murchison;
• Southern - m. Mariyato;
• West - m. Prince of Wales;
• East - m. St. Charles.

The coastline of the continent is unevenly divided. The most rugged sections are found in the northern part. They have an ice-tectonic type of surface and are fjords. In the south the mainland coasts are formed by corals.

North America: characteristic of the relief

The relief of the continent is also varied. The surface is asymmetric. In the west, through the entire continent, the large Cordillera mountain system stretches, in the east of North America large plains and low mountains are located. The average height of the continent is within 720 m. In the center of the continent is the Central American Plain.

Cordilleras are represented by a number of mountain arcs. This system is one of the highest in the world, the highest point is Denali, 6,193 m high (this peak was previously called McKinley, considered the highest point of this locality).

The mainland lies on the Precambrian North American platform. Mountain folds are formed in the Caledonian, Hercynian, Mesozoic-Cenozoic periods. Most of the continental minerals deposits are concentrated in the Cordilleras and the Canadian Shield. There are deposits of iron ore, copper and nickel ores, coal, gold and non-ferrous metals. The Pacific coast is rich in oil and gas fields.

Features of North America: Climate

The climate of the continent 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. Here low temperatures prevail, a small amount of precipitation. A moderate belt covers most of Canada, characterized by a continental climate. The subtropical belt is in the south of the USA. Has a mild, frost-free climate, rainy winters, dry summers. The tropical and subequatorial climate is a feature of the southern mainland, the California peninsula, the south of Florida. It is a favorable hot climate, with warm winter.

Water system and soil

North and South America are continents rich in water sources. All the rivers of the northern continent have a drain into three of its ocean-washing. Water flows are characterized by great density and length. In the north of the continent, there are many lakes of glacial-tectonic origin. This is due to the fact that this territory has been under the influence of glaciation for a long time. This region belongs to the Great Canadian Lakes - the largest source of fresh water on the planet.

North America is famous for its variety of soils. There are a lot of them here: from polar to tropical. The most fertile soils of the region are in the center, chestnut and chernozem are represented.

Vegetable world

The continental flora is very similar to the vegetation of Europe. In the north it is represented by arctic deserts, gradually turning into tundra. One third of the territory is occupied by forest zones. The most common species are temperate forests, represented by conifers, broad-leaved and mixed.

The areas 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 respects similar to Eurasia. Representatives of the tundra zone are reindeer, lemmings, polar bears. Taiga: brown bear, moose, Canadian lynx, wolverine. A big problem in North America is the preservation of some species of animals (especially fur-bearing animals). In recent years, the number of gray foxes and squirrels, red lynxes, etc. has decreased significantly.

Population and countries

The population of the continent consists of 550 million people. It is unevenly distributed, the average density is 20 people / km ² . But in fact - the least populated north and west, most of the population is concentrated on the east coast.

There are 37 states on the modern political map. The largest countries are Canada, the USA and Mexico.

Now each student can answer the question, in which hemisphere is North America, and describe in detail its features.