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 features 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 a 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 onehemisphere, 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 is washed by the waters of the Arctic Ocean and the Hudson Strait. The eastern coast of the mainland faces 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 of which hemisphere North America is in, 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 dismemberedunevenly. 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 the city of Denali with a height of 6,193 m (this peak was previously called McKinley, considered the highest point of this locality).
The continent lies on the Precambrian North Americanplatform. 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 - continents, richwater sources. All the rivers of the northern continent have a runoff in the three oceans washing it. 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 continent's flora is very similar to vegetationEurope. 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 toEurasia. 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 / km2. But in fact - the least populated north and west, the largest number of people concentrated on the east coast.
On the modern political map, there are 37 states. The largest countries are Canada, the USA and Mexico.
Now each student will be able to answer the question, in which hemisphere is North America, and describe in detail its features.
