Northern America is the northernmost subregion of the North American continent, occupying the upper reaches of the Western Hemisphere. As the northernmost region in the entire Americas, it encompasses a vast stretch of territory extending from the Arctic Circle down toward the temperate latitudes bordering Middle America.
Defining the Region
The exact boundaries of Northern America are not universally fixed and can vary considerably depending on the source of the definition. One widely used approach situates Northern America directly north of Middle America, meaning that its southern land frontier coincides with the Mexico–United States border. This border therefore serves as a practical dividing line between Northern America and the rest of the North American continent in this framework.
Countries and Territories
Geopolitically, the United Nations' scheme of geographical regions and subregions offers a formal classification of Northern America. According to this scheme, the region is composed of the following countries and territories:
- Bermuda
- Canada
- Greenland
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- United States
Significance of the Classification
The designation of Northern America as a distinct subregion helps distinguish it from Middle America (which includes Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean) within the broader North American continent. This distinction is particularly useful in statistical, demographic, and geopolitical contexts, such as the United Nations' geoscheme, where clear regional groupings are needed for organizing data and international cooperation.