North America is the third largest continent, with a surface area of 24,221,490 sq km. It is located in the northern hemisphere, between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean and to the north of South America. North America's highest point is Alaska's Mount McKinley, which rises to 6,194 m (20,320 ft) above sea level.

North America consists of three large nations and one large island territory that cover most of its area (Greenland, Canada, the United States, and Mexico), the seven smaller nations at its southern extreme (collectively known as Central America), and around two dozen island nations and territories of various sizes in the Caribbean. Although these last two regions are technically part of the North American continent, they are commonly treated separately from their larger neighbors to the northwest (hence the distinctive region names).