All North American Countries: Complete List with Capitals and Flags

How many countries are in North America?

North America has 23 sovereign countries, spread across approximately 24.7 million km2 with over 600 million people — about 7.5% of the world's population.

From Canada's boreal forests to the tropical beaches of the Caribbean, from New York's skyscrapers to the Mayan ruins of Guatemala, North America is a continent of striking contrasts. It is home to the 2nd largest country in the world (Canada), the world's largest economy (the United States) and some of the planet's smallest island states. The continent is the cradle of major pre-Columbian civilizations (Aztecs, Maya) and today hosts an extraordinarily rich cultural mosaic.

Ready to test your knowledge? After exploring this list, try our Listing quiz to name all North American countries or our North American flag quiz!

Alphabetical list of the 23 countries in North America

If you want the quickest possible answer, here is the full list of North American countries covered in this guide. This scope includes all 23 sovereign states whose territory lies in North America, according to the UN classification (M49).

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 and United States.

For a more visual overview, you can also explore our North America regional page and the full directory of world countries.

What are the countries of Northern America?

Northern America has 2 countries according to the UN classification (M49). Canada and the United States together form one of the most powerful economic areas in the world, with over 380 million inhabitants. They share the longest undefended land border in the world (8,891 km) and the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system on the planet.

What are the countries of Central America?

Central America has 8 countries according to the UN classification, including Mexico. This region forms an isthmus connecting Northern America to South America. It is home to the remains of great Mesoamerican civilizations (Maya, Aztecs), exceptional biodiversity — Costa Rica harbors 5% of the world's biodiversity on just 0.03% of the Earth's surface — and the Panama Canal, one of the world's most strategic waterways.

What are the countries of the Caribbean?

The Caribbean has 13 sovereign countries, scattered across the arc of the Antilles between the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. The region is distinguished by a history marked by European colonization, the slave trade and independence movements. English, French, Spanish and Creole are spoken there, and it boasts a unique cultural diversity — from Jamaican reggae to Cuban son, from Trinidad's Carnival to Barbadian rum.

Which countries are members of CARICOM?

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), founded in 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas, is the region's main economic and political cooperation organization. It brings together 15 full members, including 11 of the 13 Caribbean countries on this page — Cuba and the Dominican Republic are not members.

CARICOM promotes economic integration, foreign policy coordination and cooperation in areas such as security, health and education. Its headquarters are in Georgetown, Guyana. Notably, two of its members — Guyana and Suriname — are located in South America, and Belize, classified in Central America, is also a member.

The 12 countries on this page that are CARICOM members: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Belize (Central America).

Non-sovereign territories in North America

North America is more than just its 23 sovereign states. Several non-independent territories play an important role in the region:

• Puerto Rico (🇵🇷): an unincorporated territory of the United States, with 3.2 million inhabitants and 9,104 km2. It is by far the most populated non-sovereign territory in the region. Its residents are US citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections.
• Greenland (🇬🇱): an autonomous territory of Denmark, it is the world's largest island with 2,166,086 km2 but only 56,000 inhabitants. Covered by 80% ice sheet, it is geographically in North America but politically linked to Europe.
• Guadeloupe (🇬🇵) and Martinique (🇲🇶): French overseas departments in the Lesser Antilles, with approximately 395,000 and 365,000 inhabitants respectively. They are integral parts of the European Union.
• Bermuda (🇧🇲): a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic, with 64,000 inhabitants. A renowned international financial center.
• Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands: British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean.
• Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten: constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a high degree of autonomy.

Although non-sovereign, these territories often have a strong cultural identity and a significant degree of autonomy.

What are North America's geographic records?

North America is a continent of superlatives, from the 2nd largest country in the world to the smallest island states. Here are the most notable records:

• Largest country: Canada (9,984,670 km2), the 2nd largest country in the world
• Smallest country: Saint Kitts and Nevis (261 km2), a two-island archipelago in the Lesser Antilles
• Most populated country: the United States (~340 million inhabitants), the 3rd most populated country in the world
• Least populated country: Saint Kitts and Nevis (~48,060 inhabitants)
• Highest mountain: Denali in Alaska, United States (6,190 m), the highest point in North America
• Largest freshwater lake: Lake Superior (82,100 km2), shared between the United States and Canada
• Largest island: Greenland (2,166,086 km2), an autonomous territory of Denmark
• Longest river: Mississippi-Missouri (~6,275 km), running through the central United States
• Most densely populated country: Barbados (~657 inh./km2), one of the most densely populated countries in the world

How can you learn North American countries?

Think you know all the North American countries? Challenge yourself with our interactive quizzes:

• Listing Mode: can you name all 23 North American countries on a map? It's the ultimate challenge for geography enthusiasts.
• Flag Quiz Mode: can you recognize North American flags? Test your visual memory with our flag quiz.
• MapGuessing Mode: place North American countries on the map as precisely as possible. Every kilometer counts!

Whether you're a student, traveler, or simply curious, these quizzes are the best way to learn North American geography while having fun.