Grade Six Social Studies
Hello Boys and Girls!
I hope you had a very productive week at school. I hope you are intensifying your studies. As you know, your examination is fast approaching. Please take time to revise all your subjects, work with your personal study timetable and your study journal. Use your journal to paraphrase work given by your teachers, try to practice past examination questions, this would help greatly in preparation for NGSA.
Topic: Continents of the World
Sub-Topic: North America
In our last lesson we studied the beautiful continent of Africa. We learned that Africa, the second-largest continent, is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided in half almost equally by the Equator. The continent includes the islands of Cape Verde, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros. Africa is also the world’s second most populous continent. Africa is one of the most diverse places on the planet with a wide variety of terrain, wildlife, and climates.
This week we are going to learn all about the Continent of North America. Specifically, we will:
1) Discuss key facts about the Continent North America.
2) Identify Countries in North America.
3) Highlight important landmarks in North America.
Let’s Discuss Facts About North America!
What is North America?
North America is the third largest continent in the world. Many people know it as the continent of the US, Canada, and Mexico. But what is considered North America beyond those countries? There are many other North American nations, especially in the Caribbean. North America goes from the North Pole to the top of South America. Its countries border the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic oceans and are home to numerous cultures and languages. There are several small territories in North America that are not sovereign states but rather belong to other foreign nations. They are not listed here as they are not technically North American countries.
North American History
How many countries are in North America? Today, there are twentythree independent countries in North America. However, these political and geographical borders have not always existed. The history of North America is complex because of the enormous diversity of people living in the area.
Colonialism
Consistent colonial contact between North America and European settlers began in the late 1400s. European countries like Spain, Portugal, France, and especially Britain established colonies across North America. European violence, attempted genocide, and diseases like smallpox decimated indigenous populations and drastically changed life in North America forever. European colonialism also brought with it the transatlantic slave trade in which enslaved individuals mostly from Africa were treated as chattel property all the way until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.
Contemporary History Did You Know?
Today, North America has a population of more than 596 million people. America has the biggest population of any of these countries (roughly 321 million), while Saint Kitts and Nevis has the smallest population (around 55,000).
FACT/TIP: The most spoken languages are English, Spanish, and French, though there are hundreds of other languages spoken in North America as well.
Let’s Look At Countries In North America!
The continent is home to 23 countries, including Canada, the United States of America, Mexico, and many smaller island nations in the Caribbean Sea.These include Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Many of the Caribbean Countries are in the Continent of North America.
Fact/Tip: There are 23 countries on the continent of North America. Quick Facts About North America!
Did you know!
● It’s the Home of the Largest Island.
● North America Has 5 Regions.
● The Largest City Is Mexico City.
● Death Valley Is the Lowest Point.
● The Largest Country in North America Is Canada. ● The Missouri Is the Longest River in North America.
FACT/TIP
What is known for North America?
Known as the melting pot of the world, North America is an adventurers’ paradise. From camping in the Canadian Rockies to exploring the Aztec ruins in Mexico, there are endless places for you to discover. The US holds fifty states, a district, and numerous territories.
Landmarks In North America!
The Grand Canyon
The world’s most famous geological wonder is the massive gorge of the Grand Canyon cutting through northern Arizona for 277 miles. The