North America: Countries and Capitals

23 sovereign countries · updated guide

North America runs from the Arctic islands of Canada to the tropical isthmus that joins South America. It has 23 sovereign countries: three large nations in the north (Canada, the United States and Mexico), seven in Central America, and a chain of island states across the Caribbean.

The countries of North America and their capitals

Here is the full list of North America's 23 sovereign countries with their capital cities. These are the countries you will meet when you play North America rounds in the game.

Geography at a glance

The continent's backbone is the North American Cordillera — the Rocky Mountains and their ranges running down the western side. To the east lie the older Appalachians and the vast interior plains drained by the Mississippi–Missouri river system.

Central America narrows to the Isthmus of Panama, where the Panama Canal links the Atlantic and Pacific. The Caribbean is dotted with island nations, split between the larger Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica) and the arc of smaller Lesser Antilles.

Regions of North America

Northern America

Canada and the United States — two of the largest countries on Earth — plus the world's longest undefended border between them.

Central America

Seven countries from Guatemala to Panama, linking the two American continents; mostly mountainous with coasts on both oceans.

The Caribbean

Island nations from the large Cuba and Dominican Republic to tiny eastern states like Dominica, Grenada and Saint Lucia.

Tips for learning North America on the map

• The Central American seven, north to south: Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama.
• Caribbean micro-states are the hardest points — learn the eastern arc (the Lesser Antilles) as a curving chain.
• Don't confuse Dominica (an eastern island) with the Dominican Republic (which shares Hispaniola with Haiti).

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