continent report
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
1/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
1
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
2/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
2
Contents
Summary: .................................................................................................................................... 4
Statistics ...................................................................................................................................... 7
List of Countries in North America ............................................................................................. 8
Geography .................................................................................................................................. 9
Major Cities: .............................................................................................................................. 12
Important Major Cities: ............................................................................................................ 13
Vancouver: ............................................................................................................................ 13
Toronto: ................................................................................................................................ 13
Chicago: ................................................................................................................................ 14
New York: .............................................................................................................................. 14
Washington, D.C.: ................................................................................................................. 15
Las Vegas: ............................................................................................................................. 15
Mexico City: .......................................................................................................................... 16
Belize: .................................................................................................................................... 16
Panama City: ......................................................................................................................... 17
Havana: ................................................................................................................................. 17
Trade and Economy .................................................................................................................. 18
Economic Development ........................................................................................................ 19
Roaring Twenties .............................................................................................................. 19
Great Depression .............................................................................................................. 19
World War II...................................................................................................................... 20
US-Canada Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA ................................................................ 20
Regional variation ............................................................................................................. 20
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation .................................................................................. 20
Caribbean Community ...................................................................................................... 21
Central American Free Trade Agreement ......................................................................... 21
North American Free Trade Agreement ........................................................................... 22
Economic sectors .................................................................................................................. 22
Agriculture ........................................................................................................................ 22
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
3/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
3
Manufacturing .................................................................................................................. 23
Service ............................................................................................................................... 23
Investment and banking ................................................................................................... 23
Tourism ............................................................................................................................. 24
Highest 10 GDPs of North America:...................................................................................... 24
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
4/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
4
NORTH AMERICA
Summary:
In 1492, Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus, under contract to the Spanishcrown, reached several Caribbean islands, making first contact with the indigenous
people. Indigenous people of the United States are now commonly called "American
Indians", or just "Indians" domestically, but are also often referred to as "Native
Americans". These were the original occupants of this continent along with the Incas,
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
5/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
5
Mayans, Aztecs and several other civilizations. Columbus stumbled upon this
Newfoundland while on a quest to find India.
North America is divided into three subcontinents namely North America, Central
America and The Caribbean. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the
east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America, and to the west andsouth by the Pacific Ocean.
North America is the source of much of what humanity knows about geologic time
periods. The geographic area that would later become the United States has been the
source of more varieties of dinosaurs than any other modern country. According to
paleontologist Peter Dodson, this is primarily due to stratigraphy, climate and
geography, human resources, and history. Much of the Mesozoic Era is represented by
exposed outcrops in the many arid regions of the continent. The most significant LateJurassic dinosaur-bearing fossil deposit in North America is the Morrison Formation
of the western United States.
During the thousands of years of native inhabitation on the continent, cultures changed
and shifted. Archaeologists often name different cultural groups they discover after the
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
6/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
6
site where they were first found. One of the oldest cultures yet found is the Clovis
culture of modern New Mexico. A more recent example is the group of related
cultures called the Mound builders (e.g. the Fort Walton Culture), found in the
Mississippi river valley. They flourished from 300 BC to the 150s AD. Upon the
arrival of the Europeans in the "New World", the Native American population
declined substantially, primarily due to the introduction of European diseases to which
the Native Americans lacked immunity. Native peoples found their culture changed
drastically. As such, their affiliation with political and cultural groups changed as well,
several linguistic groups went extinct, and others changed quite quickly. The names
and cultures that Europeans recorded for the natives were not necessarily the same as
the ones they had used a few generations before, or the ones in use today.
In the late 18th century and beginning of the 19th, several independence movements
started across North America. The 13 British colonies on the North Atlantic coast
declared independence in 1776, becoming the United States of America. New Spain, a
territory that stretched from modern-day southern U.S. to Central America, declared
independence in 1810 becoming the First Mexican Empire. In 1823 the former
Captaincy General of Guatemala, then part of the Mexican Empire, became the first
independent state in Central America, officially changing its name to the United
Provinces of Central America.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
7/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
7
Statistics
Area 24,709,000 km2 (9,540,000 sq mi) Population 528,720,588 (2008) Pop. Density 22.9/km2 (59.3/sq mi) Countries 23 Languages English, Spanish, French, Dutch Time Zones UTC-10 to UTC
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
8/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
8
List of Countries in North America
1. Antigua and Barbuda2.
Bahamas
3. Barbados4. Belize5. Canada6. Costa Rica7. Cuba8. Dominica9. Dominican Republic10.El Salvador11.Grenada12.Guatemala13.Haiti14.Honduras15.Jamaica16.Mexico17.Nicargua18.Panama19.Saint Kitts and Nevis20.Saint Lucia21.
Saint Vincent and Grenadines
22.Trinidad and Tobago23.United States of America
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
9/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
9
Geography
North America occupies the northern portion of the landmass generally
referred to as the New World, the Western Hemisphere, the Americas, or
simply America (which, less commonly, is considered by some as a single
continent with North America a subcontinent).
North America's only land connection to South America is at the Isthmus of
Panama. The continent is delimited on the southeast by most geographers at
the Darin watershed along the Colombia-Panama border, placing all of
Panama within North America. Alternatively, less common views would end
North America at the man-made Panama Canal; and some geologists
physiographically locate its southern limit at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec,
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
10/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
10
Mexico, with Central America extending southeastward to South America
from this point. The Caribbean islands, or West Indies, are considered part of
North America.
Before the Central American isthmus was raised, the region had been
underwater. The islands of the West Indies delineate a submerged former land
bridge which had connected North America and South America via what are
now Florida and Venezuela. The continental coastline is long and irregular.
The Gulf of Mexico is the largest body of water indenting the continent,
followed by Hudson Bay. Others include the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the
Gulf of California.
There are numerous islands off the continents coasts, principally, the Arctic
Archipelago, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, the Greater and Lesser Antilles,
the Aleutian Islands (some of which are in the Eastern Hemisphere proper), the
Alexander Archipelago, the many thousand islands of the British Columbia
Coast, and Newfoundland. Greenland, a self-governing Danish island, and the
world's largest, is on the same tectonic plate (the North American Plate) and is
part of North America geographically. In a geologic sense, Bermuda is not part
of the Americas, but an oceanic island which was formed on the fissure of the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge over 100 million years ago. The nearest landmass to it is
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. However, Bermuda is often thought of as part
of North America, especially given its historical, political and cultural ties to
Virginia and other parts of the continent.
The vast majority of North America is on the North American Plate. Parts of
California and western Mexico form the partial edge of the Pacific Plate, with
the two plates meeting along the San Andreas fault. The southernmost portion
of the continent and much of the West Indies lie on the Caribbean Plate,
whereas the Juan de Fuca and Cocos plates border the North American Plate
on its western frontier.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
11/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
11
The continent can be divided into four great regions (each of which contains
many subregions): the Great Plains stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the
Canadian Arctic; the geologically young, mountainous west, including the
Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, California and Alaska; the raised but
relatively flat plateau of the Canadian Shield in the northeast; and the varied
eastern region, which includes the Appalachian Mountains, the coastal plain
along the Atlantic seaboard, and the Florida peninsula. Mexico, with its long
plateaus and cordilleras, falls largely in the western region, although the
eastern coastal plain does extend south along the Gulf. The western mountains
are split in the middle and into the main range of the Rockies and the coast
ranges in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia with the
Great Basina lower area containing smaller ranges and low-lying desertsin
between. The highest peak is Denali in Alaska.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
12/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
12
Major Cities:
Figure: Major cities by Population
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
13/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
13
Important Major Cities:
Vancouver:
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city in British Columbia, Canada. The city
proper has more than 640,000 people, making it the eighth largest among
Canadian cities and the most densely populated Canadian city with over
25,000 residents.
Toronto:
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada.
As Canada's economic capital and one of the top financial centers in the
world, It is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, the world's seventh
largest in terms of market value.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
14/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
14
Chicago:
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. Its metropolitan area,
sometimes called "Chicagoland," is the 27th most populous urban
agglomeration in the world, the largest in the Great Lakes
Megalopolis, and the third largest in the US. Today, the city retains its
status as a major hub for industry, telecommunications and infrastructure.
New York:
New York is the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of
the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a
significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion,
research, technology, education, and entertainment.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
15/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
15
Washington, D.C.:
Formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to
as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United
States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation
of a special district to serve as the permanent national capital as permitted
by the U.S. Constitution.
Las Vegas:
Las Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada, United States, and an
internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine
dining. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the
World, is famous for its casino resorts and associated entertainment.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
16/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
16
Mexico City:
Mexico Cityalso known as the Valley of the Damned, is the capital city ofMexico and is located in the Valley of Mexico. It is the most important
center for financial, economic and cultural events of the country. The city
was originally built by the Aztecs in 1325 on an island of Lake Texcoco,
with the municipality of Mexico City established in 1524.
Belize:
Belize City proper is split into two areas: North side Belize City, bounded
by the Haulover Creek and ending in the east at the Fort George area, and
Belize City South side, extending to the outskirts of the City.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
17/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
17
Panama City:
Panama City is an urban center unmatched by any other Central Americancity. Most often compared to Miami, it contains a cosmopolitan bustle of
diverse cultures, nationalities, and attractions.
Havana:
Havana is the capital of Cuba. Havana was a candidate to host the 2012
Summer Olympic Games. Havana was the third city in the world to receivegas lighting, in 1848.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
18/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
18
Trade and Economy
The economy of North America comprises more than 528 million people (8%
of the world population) in its 23 sovereign states and 15 dependent territories.
It is marked by a sharp division between the predominantly English speaking
countries of Canada and the United States, which are among the wealthiest and
most developed nations in the world, and the countries of Central America and
the Caribbean that are less developed. Mexico lies in between these two
extremes as a newly industrialized country (NIC), and is a part of the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the only Latin American
member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD). The United States is by far the largest economy in North America
and the largest national economy in the world.
The US, Canada and Mexico have significant and multifaceted economic
systems. In 2011, the US has an estimated per capita gross domestic product
(PPP) of $47,200, and is the most technologically developed economy in North
America. The United States' services sector comprises 76.7% of the country's
GDP (estimated in 2010), industry comprises 22.2% and agriculture comprises
1.2%.
Canada's economic trends and are similar to that of the United States, with
significant growth in the sectors of services, mining and manufacturing.
Canada's GDP (PPP) was estimated at $39,400 in 2010. Canada's services
sector comprises 78% of the country's GDP (estimated in 2010), industry
comprises 20% and agriculture comprises 2%.
Mexico has a GDP (PPP) of $13,900, and per capita income is estimated at
approximately one-third of the United States'. The country has both modern
and outdated industrial and agricultural facilities and operations, and is
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
19/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
19
modernizing in sectors such as energy production, telecommunications and
airports.
Economic Development
Roaring Twenties
The 1920s were a time of economic growth and prosperity in North America.
Increased incomes as well as the large increase in the ability of private citizens
to obtain credit resulted in a surge of consumer spending after World War I.
Great Depression
The Great Depression began in North America in October 1929. The start is
often dated to the stock market collapse of Black Tuesday although this was
not the cause of the Great Depression. Canada and the United States
experienced especially large declines, with the gross domestic product falling37% from 1929 to 1933 in the United States, and 43% in Canada over the same
period. The economy reached its lowest point in 1933, however recovery was
slow. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 created demand for war materials
that brought about the end of the depression.
The Great Depression spurred increased government intervention in the
economy in North America. The United States introduced unemployment
insurance, a minimum wage and standardised working hours under the New
Deal. Canada introduced similar measures. Mexico nationalised some key
industries during the Great Depression, with the railroads nationalised by 1937
and the oil industry nationalised in 1938.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
20/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
20
World War II
The large scale enlistment of men into armed forces during World War II
women entered the workforce en masse, filling many jobs in manufacturing
and technical areas that had previously been closed to women. This led to the
"We can do it!" campaign. The economic output in North America increased
substantially, with unemployment practically eliminated in the United States.
Rationing severely reduced the availability of consumer goods, with the
increase in industrial production coming from the demand for war materials.
US-Canada Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA
The Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement of 1989 and the subsequent
expansion to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) triggered a
dramatic increase in trade between these three countries, with Mexican trade
with the United States and Canada increasing threefold. Over 85% of Canadian
exports in 2006 went to the United States.
Regional variation
With various climate zones, agricultural products vary from country to
country. Job sectors are also different, with industrialized countries having
more service workers, and developing countries relling on agriculture.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a group of Pacific Rim
countries which meet with the purpose of improving economic and political
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
21/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
21
ties. APEC's stated goals are aimed at free and open trade and investments by
cutting tariffs between zero to five percent in the Asia-Pacific area for
industrialised economies by 2010 and for developing economies by 2020.
The organisation has members from four continents, those from North Americaare Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Caribbean Community
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was created "To provide dynamic
leadership and service, in partnership with Community institutions and
Groups, toward the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and
sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all".
- On January 1, 2006 six members: (Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica,
Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago) un-officially ushered in the Caribbean
(CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME).
- At the official signing of the protocol on January 30, 2006 in Jamaica, A
further six members: (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts
and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) announced their
intention to join by the second quarter of 2006. Montserrat, a British Oversees
territory is awaiting approval by the United Kingdom. Haiti and the Bahamas
have no immediate plans to join.
Central American Free Trade Agreement
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
22/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
22
The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is an agreement
between the United States and the Central American countries of Costa Rica,
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The treaty is aimed at
promoting free trade between its members. Canada and Mexico are negotiating
membership.
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement
between Canada, Mexico and the United States to eliminate tariffs on goods
traded between themselves.
Although currently only a trade agreement, with no supranational bodies or
laws as in the European Union, there have been various proposals to move
towards a customs union or a North American currency union. It is unknown
whether or not this may eventually develop into a North American Union
similar to that of Europe.
Economic sectors
Agriculture
Agriculture is very important in Central American and Caribbean nations. In
western Canada, in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia
and Manitoba, wheat and other various main agricultural products are grown.
The U.S. also has many states with significant agriculture production, mainly
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
23/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
23
in the central continental U.S. Mexico produces many tropical fruits and
vegetables as well as edible animals.
Manufacturing
North America has developed and its manufacturing sector has grown. In the
beginning the European nations were the large manufacturing powers. At the
start of the 1950s, the United States was a top manufacturing power, with
Canada and Mexico also making significant progress.
Service
In Canada, the US and the Caribbean, service-based employment is a
significant percentage of overall employment. Many people work in stores and
other retail locations. In Canada more than 70% work in the services sector,
with a similar percentage in the United States.
Investment and banking
The United States leads North America in investment and banking. Canada,
Mexico and most recently El Salvador is growing in this sector, and smaller
economic powers such as Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama are
also growing slowly in this sector.
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
24/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
24
Tourism
Tourism is extremely important for the Caribbean economies, as they contain
many beaches and have warm climates. Skiing in Canada and the US is also
important. Tourism of national parks and natural landmarks, such as Mount
Rushmore and the Grand Canyon in the United States, and Niagara Falls and
Moraine lake in Canada, contribute to the economy in these regions.
Highest 10 GDPs of North America:
-
7/31/2019 Continent REPORT
25/25
Ignited Dragons: North America
25