Introduction to North America

North America is the third largest continent in the world, consisting of 23 countries and numerous territories. It is located in the northern hemisphere and is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and South America to the southeast.

Geography

North America is characterized by a diverse range of geographical features, including the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, the Canadian Shield, the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and the Appalachian Mountains. The continent also boasts a variety of climates, from the frozen tundra of the Arctic to the tropical rainforests of Central America.

History

The history of North America is marked by the arrival of indigenous peoples, followed by European colonization and the establishment of independent nations. Key historical events include the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, the founding of the thirteen colonies, the American Revolution, the expansion westward, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Countries and Cultures

North America is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions. From the Inuit of the Arctic to the Mayans of Central America, each country and region within North America has its own unique customs and heritage.

Economy

The economies of North America are diverse, with industries ranging from agriculture and manufacturing to technology and finance. The United States and Canada are among the world's largest economies, while countries such as Mexico and Brazil also play significant roles in the continent's economic landscape.

Challenges and Opportunities

North America faces a range of challenges, including environmental issues, social inequality, and political tensions. However, the continent also presents opportunities for growth, innovation, and international cooperation.

Studying North America provides a fascinating insight into the continent's history, geography, and cultures, and offers valuable lessons for understanding the wider world.

◂Social Studies Worksheets and Study Guides Eighth Grade. Mexico

The resources above cover the following skills:

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)

TIME, CONTINUITY, AND CHANGE

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF THE PAST AND ITS LEGACY.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

Key historical periods and patterns of change within and across cultures (e.g., the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, the development of technology, the rise of modern nation-states, and the establishment and breakdown of colonial systems).

National Center for History in Schools (NCHS)

Historical Thinking Standards

Historical Comprehension

Reconstruct the literal meaning of a historical passage.

United States History Content Standards

Era 1: Three Worlds Meet (Beginnings to 1620)

Comparative characteristics of societies in the Americas, Western Europe, and Western Africa that increasingly interacted after 1450.

The student understands the differences and similarities among Africans, Europeans, and Native Americans who converged in the western hemisphere after 1492.

How early European exploration and colonization resulted in cultural and ecological interactions among previously unconnected peoples.

The student understands the stages of European oceanic and overland exploration, amid international rivalries, from the 9th to 17th centuries.

The student understands the Spanish and Portuguese conquest of the Americas.

Era 4: Expansion and Reform (1801-1861)

United States territorial expansion between 1801 and 1861, and how it affected relations with external powers and Native Americans.

The student understands the ideology of Manifest Destiny, the nation's expansion to the Northwest, and the Mexican-American War.

World History Content Standards

Era 3: Classical Traditions, Major Religions, and Giant Empires, 1000 BCE-300 CE

The development of early agrarian civilizations in Mesoamerica.

The student understands the achievements of Olmec civilization.

Era 6: The Emergence of the First Global Age, 1450-1770

Economic, political, and cultural interrelations among peoples of Africa, Europe, and the Americas, 1500-1750.

The student understands how states and peoples of European descent became dominant in the Americas between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Major global trends from 1450-1770.

The student understands major global trends from 1450 to 1770.

Era 8: A Half-Century of Crisis and Achievement, 1900-1945

Reform, revolution, and social change in the world economy of the early century.

The student understands the causes and consequences of important resistance and revolutionary movements of the early 20th century.

Major global trends from 1900 to the end of World War II.

The student understands major global trends from 1900 to the end of World War II.