peoples of north america

ONCE POPULATED BY TRIEES of native peoples who lived off the land, the vast majority of North America's population now consists of immigrants who arrived over thé last 400 years. Today, in terms of both population and économie wealth, the continent is dominated by the US, the richest country in the world. To the north, Canada covers a vast area, but much of it is cold and inhospitable, and so it has a much smaller population. Both countries were once British colonies and are still mostly English speaking. In contrast, Mexico is Spanish speaking, reflecting ils past as a Spanish colony. Mexico is a relatively poor country, despite its vast oil and gas reserves.

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
In général, North America is one of the most sparsely populated continents. Over two-thirds of the population lives in the US. Mexico has the next largest population, followed by Canada. Historically, the eastern US has been the most densely populated area, but in the past few decades, many people have moved to the warmer southern and western states. In Canada, people have also left the east coast for the Great Lakes and cities such as Toronto, or for west coast cities such as Vancouver.

A CONTINENT OF IMMIGRANTS

There have been many waves of immigrants to North America, mostly from Europe, but from South America and Asia, too. Not everyone chose to go. Today's black Americans are descended from African slaves who were forced to the US between 1619-1808 to work on plantations. Slavery was not abolished in the US until 1865. Today, African Americans are a vital part of American culture, from politics to sports.

canada

the SECOND LARGEST COUNTRY in the world, Canada occupies two-fifths of the North American continent, stretches across five time zones, and is divided into 10 provinces and two territories. It was once inhabited only by Native Americans and Inuit peoples. The French were the fïrst Europeans to settle in Canada, but after years of fïghting, the British gained control in 1763. Gradually they took over the rest of the country as pioneers and settlers moved west and north. Today, Canada is an important industrial nation and one of the world's richest countries. Most of its manufacturing is based on natural resources of wood, metals, and mineral fuels.

THE FIRST CANADIANS
Native Americans and Inuit, are sometimes called Canada's "First Nations," because they lived in Canada long before European settlers arrived. Gradually, the settlers took over their lands, leaving the original people to live in poverty. Since 1970, the government has tried to draw these peoples into Canadian society, but many prefer their own culture and traditions. Recently, both groups have begun to win battles for their rights to ancestral lands. In 1999, the Nunavut area in the Northwest Territories will become a self-governing territory, the first part of Canada to be governed by natinve Canadians in modem history.

united states of america

In less than 400 years, the United States of America (USA) has grown from wild countryside inhabited by native peoples to the world's most powerful industrial nation. The country is made up of 50 states, including Alaska in the far north and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. There are two major mountain ranges, the Appalachians to the east and the Rockies to the west, while much of its center is covered by the gently sloping Great Plains. Vast supplies of coal, oil, and minerals, together with mass immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, helped business and industry grow fast. Today, American products and culture are recognized throughout the world.

WORLD LEADER

The US is the world's richest country, and its leading products include iron and steel, timber and paper products, electronic equipment, cars, and aircraft. Women now make up almost half of the countrv's total workforce.

mexico

The colorful land of Mexico was once home to the golden civilizations of the Maya and Aztecs. These ancient empires were destroyed by the Spanish, who invaded in the 1500s and ruled the country until its independence in 1821. Descendants of the native peoples still live in Mexico, but most people are mestizo, of mixed Spanish and native Indian descent. About half of ail Mexicans are under 19 years old, and the population is growing rapidly, leading to overcrowding in the cities. Mexico has limited farmland, and cannot produce enough food for the growing population.

Tourism is one of Mexico's biggest sources of income. Visitors from ail over the world come to see Chichén Itza, Tenochtitlan, Palenque, and other sites of the ancian Maya and Aztec civilizations. The warm sea and sandy beaches at coastal resorts, such as Acapulco and Cancun, also attract many tourists.