From the arctic cold in the North to Panama’s tropical jungles, North America is a continent of extremes. It has ruins of ancient civilizations, the visually stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures from the Caribbean, and the world’s superpower nations.
It has a lot to offer, but people are generally confused as to how many countries North America actually has.
Most people are aware of the “big three” countries. However, the North American continent has 20 other countries.
This guide will cover anything and everything you need to know about the North American countries.
How many countries are in North America?
Traditionally, North America is believed to have three main subregions: Northern America ( Canada, United States), Central America (Mexican land to Panama), and Caribbean (islands and land in the Caribbean Sea).
The United Nations has recognized these as the 23 North American countries.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United States of America
All 23 sovereign states are full members of the United Nations, reflecting their universal diplomatic recognition
Countries in North America and Their Capitals
Here is the complete list of the 23 sovereign countries in North America alongside their capital cities:
| Country | Capital |
| Antigua and Barbuda | St. John’s |
| Bahamas | Nassau |
| Barbados | Bridgetown |
| Belize | Belmopan |
| Canada | Ottawa |
| Costa Rica | San José |
| Cuba | Havana |
| Dominica | Roseau |
| Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo |
| El Salvador | San Salvador |
| Grenada | St. George’s |
| Guatemala | Guatemala City |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince |
| Honduras | Tegucigalpa |
| Jamaica | Kingston |
| Mexico | Mexico City |
| Nicaragua | Managua |
| Panama | Panama City |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Basseterre |
| Saint Lucia | Castries |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Kingstown |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain |
| United States | Washington, D.C. |
Some of these capitals are among the world’s most recognizable cities—Washington, D.C. , Mexico City, and Ottawa are political and cultural powerhouses. Others, like Basseterre in Saint Kitts and Nevis or Kingstown in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, are charming small cities that serve as administrative centers for their island nations.
What Are the Top 3 Countries in North America?
The answer to this question depends on whether you’re measuring by population or by land area.
Top 3 Countries by Population
| Rank | Country | Population (2026 est.) |
| 1 | United States | 349,035,494 |
| 2 | Mexico | 132,997,658 |
| 3 | Canada | 40,467,728 |
The United States has by far the largest population in North America. Mexico is the second largest, while Canada has the third largest population. Canada has the largest land area in North America, however. Most Canadians live in the southern area of the country along the border with the United States.
Top 3 Countries by Land Area
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) |
| 1 | Canada | 9,984,670 |
| 2 | United States | 9,518,644 |
| 3 | Mexico | 1,964,375 |
In total, Canada has about 9.98 million square kilometers of land area making it the second largest country in the entire world. The United States is the third largest country, while Mexico is the fourth largest, and is much larger than every other country in North America.
Canada and the United States combined make up approximately 80% of all of North America. The rest of the countries in North America, which include all the countries in the Caribbean and Central America, make up the other 20%.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country in North America with a land area of only 261 km². El Salvador is the smallest mainland country in North America with a land area of 21,041 km².
Final Thoughts
North America is a continent of diverse geography and culture. The frozen tundra of Northern Canada, Caribbean beaches, and the busy cities of the United States contrast the Central American ruins of a previous age. This continent has a lot to offer.
Knowing the countries of North America is knowing a region of indigenous peoples, European colonization, a variety of independence movements, and a myriad of territorial disputes.
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