North America explained to kids

North America is the third largest continent on Earth with an area of 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles). It is located in the Northern Hemisphere and extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Caribbean Sea in the south. North America is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The longest mountain range in North America is the Rocky Mountains, which extend for over 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles) from Alaska to New Mexico. The highest mountain peak in North America is Mount McKinley in Alaska, which stands at 6,194 meters (20,308 feet) tall. North America is home to many different animals, including bears, wolves, moose, bison, and eagles. There are also many different types of plants, such as cacti in the desert and evergreen trees in the forests. The climate in North America varies greatly from place to place. The southern parts of the continent are generally warm, while the northern parts are cold. The climate also varies depending on how close you are to the ocean. Places that are closer to the ocean tend to have milder weather. The first people to live in North America were Native Americans. They arrived here over 10,000 years ago, crossing over a land bridge that once connected Siberia to Alaska. Today, there are many different Native American tribes, each with their own culture and traditions. The first Europeans to come to North America were the Vikings, who arrived in Newfoundland around the year 1000. However, they did not establish any permanent settlements. The first European colony in North America was established by the French in 1608 at Quebec.