Americas

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Central America & Caribbean South America & Dakar 2019 United States & Canada

THE AMERICAS

named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

Strictly speaking, the Americas consists of two continents, North America, and South America. Central America and the Caribbean are considered part of North America. Measured from the northernmost point of Canada to the southernmost point of South America, it is 15,600 km as the crow flies, making America the most elongated landmass in the world.

An estimated 990 million people live in the Americas (13% of the world population) The 2 most populous countries in the Americas are USA with 329 million people and Brazil with 212 million. Total population: Over 1 billion people. Languages most spoken Spanish, English, and Portuguese in Brazil. Indigenous languages and immigrant languages are also widespread. Major religions are Catholicism and Protestantism, and Indigenous spiritual practices.

Pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires are best known. European colonization, started after Christopher Columbus’s voyages in 1492. Spain, Portugal, France, England, and the Netherlands colonized large areas.

Biodiversity hotspots such as the Amazon, Andes, and Caribbean reefs South America has the Amazon Rainforest — the most biodiverse region on Earth. Rich wildlife across the continents: jaguars, llamas, bison, sloths, bald eagles.

Vibrant traditions: Carnival (Brazil), Day of the Dead (Mexico), jazz (USA), tango (Argentina). Sports: Soccer (football) is dominant in Latin America; American football, basketball, and baseball in North America.

A wide range of economies, from developing (Bolivia, Haiti) to developed (USA, Canada) Political and economic contrast but cultural richness everywhere, Popular for starting overlanders, adventure travel, eco-tourism, and historical exploration.

Popular Overland Routes

  • Pan-American Highway (Alaska to Ushuaia) The ultimate overland route — spans from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, The Darién Gap (between Panama and Colombia) is not drivable, requires shipping. 
  • US Routes, Route 66 – Chicago to Santa Monica, full of Americana nostalgia,
  • Pacific Coast Highway (California) – Surf towns, cliffs, and forests.
  • Great Divide Route – Off-road, high-altitude trail through the Rockies, great for 4x4s,
  • Utah National Parks.    
  • Backroads of Central America Guatemala’s mountain roads, Honduras’ jungle trails, and Costa Rica’s off-the-grid lodges are perfect for overlanders who love detours.   
  • Carretera Austral (Chile) Scenic 1,240 km road through southern Chilean Patagonia. Highlights are Villa O Higgins, Caleta Tortel,Villa Santa Lucía.    
  • Route 40 (Argentina) From Bolivia border to Patagonia Crosses wine regions, high plains, national parks.

Major regions: 

  • North America: Includes Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Diverse landscapes:
  • Canada – vast, bilingual (English/French), known for natural beauty. USA – third-largest country globally, incredibly diverse. multicultural society with strong Indigenous and European roots
  • Mexico – often culturally linked to Central America Aztec and Spanish heritage, known for its cuisine, traditions, and art.   
  • Central America: Narrow land bridge connecting North and South America (includes countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama).    
  • South America: Argentina, Brazil, French Guyana, Surinam, Guiana Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands and Colombia.   
  • The Caribbean: Island nations and territories like Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dutch Antilles, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia and the Bahama’s. Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad.

UNITED STATES of AMERICA  

The United States and Canada are two vast and diverse countries in North America, each offering incredible landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural experiences. Such as New Orleans,  – Birthplace of jazz, Creole culture, Mardi Gras

The USA spans 50 states, from Alaska to Florida and California to New York. It’s a land of extremes—deserts, mountains, coastlines, and iconic national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. Known for its varied regional character, it’s ideal for road trips and a starting point for new overlanders to start overland travel around the world.

CANADA

Canada, is the second-largest country in the world, is famed for its breathtaking wilderness, friendly people, and bilingual heritage (English & French). From the Rockies to the Atlantic coast, it offers scenic drives like the Icefields Parkway and peaceful bush camping in remote northern areas. Canada has great outdoor access, and unforgettable natural beauty. Montreal, Canada – French culture, international festivals, historic old town

Mexico

Mexico is a country in North America, bordered by the United States to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south. Often culturally linked to Central America. It has a rich history, influenced by ancient civilizations like the Maya and Aztecs, and later by Spanish colonization. Mexico is known for its vibrant culture, food, music, and festivals. Oaxaca, for its Traditional festivals, indigenous arts, food capital, the country is a federal republic with 31 states and Mexico City as its capital. It has diverse landscapes, including beaches, and jungles. Spanish is the official language. In Mexico City – Aztec ruins meets vibrant urban life and museums,

The Caribbean, sometimes also referred to as the West Indies, are the islands and archipelagos in the Caribbean Sea southeast of the United States and north of South America. The largest islands in the Caribbean are Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad.

Central America, the land bridge between the continents of North and South America; it borders the Pacific Ocean in the southwest and the Caribbean Sea in the northeast. There are seven countries in Central America namely Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. an estimated 182 million people live in Central Americas. Tropical climate with volcanoes, rainforests, and coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean. Prone to hurricanes and earthquakes Guatemala. Known for colorful festivals, street food, music like reggae, salsa, merengue, Panama Canal, Mayan ruins (Tikal, Chichen Itza) Rainforests in Costa Rica, Belize Barrier Reef, Volcanoes of Guatemala & Nicaragua, vibrant markets Antigua, Guatemala – Colonial architecture, volcano views, artisan markets

South America is the southern continent of the Americas. The fourth-largest continent is mostly south of the equator. The continent is connected to North America by a narrow strip of land known as the Isthmus of Panama. (Darien Gap) South America’s mainland is shared by twelve sovereign countries Argentina, Brazil, Surinam, Guyana, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands and Colombia. and one overseas department of France (French Guiana.) an estimated 432 million people live in South America. Dominated by the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest Home to the Amazon River, the largest river by discharge volume, Rich indigenous heritage, (Inca, Mapuche, etc.) Strong Spanish and Portuguese influence, Vibrant traditions: music (samba, tango), dance (cumbia, capoeira), and festivals, (Carnival) Football is a major part of identity. Buenos Aires, Argentina – Tango, cafés, and European-style boulevards, Cuzco, Peru – Gateway to Inca culture and traditional Andean life, Salvador, Brazil – Afro-Brazilian heritage, music, and Carnival, Bogotá & Medellín, Colombia – Urban innovation, coffee culture, and street art