NORTHERN AMERICA
Northern America is the northern part of the landmass at the Western Hemisphere that is essentially the Americas, named after New World discoverer, Amerigo Vespucci. The United States and Canada are commonly perceived to comprise North America, albeit there are alternatives to this reference. The blunder of borders, the 24,709,000 km2-continent that is the 3rd largest continent, has the NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement) including Mexico, while Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Greenland and Bermuda are classical geographic associations. Politically, territories are more jagged than they are smooth. The continent covers 4.8% of the planet’s surface is home to a population of 529 million people.
Indeed, there’s more to North America than Alaska, California, New York and Canada. This is a continent claimed and occupied by hundreds of millennia-old civilizations and tribes of the Mound Builders, Clovis, to the Inuit and Thule civilizations way before the said “discovery” of the Europeans. When Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century, Europe ventured to find a new trade route to Asia unsuspecting of the continent that lay on the way. The native people didn’t venture out to explore any other continent, just as the Europeans have come to them. Then, their empires crumbled. The population declined significantly by cause of diseases the Europeans introduced to which the natives lacked immunity.
Politics
Originally, the natives of North America were divided into hundreds of many different polities from a few families, small tribes, to large empires with a sense of territory and cohabitation. Upon contact Europeans, the concept of politics in the continent soon changed irreversibly for all eternity. The politics of the United States features one of democratic and diplomatic governance subject to the scrutiny and, at times, entertainment of the rest of the world, exceptional and central as it is. As a super power and government leader, according to the concept of American exceptionalism, the US plays the unelicited role as a model for societies and government, especially after 9/11.
And, although generally peaceful, American politics have been a source of entertainment literally with its leaders and officials transformed to whimsical characters abroad, not failing to mention the “conspiracies” that Hollywood lavishes in. Little doubt, some of the conspiracies could be leading to something crucial as the US has a knack for control and authority. Democracy or monetary, confusion exists on where power emanates, as the world has seen the past few years how directly the financial institutions in the US as the banks affect the economy and the citizens, but, all in the guise of democracy.
In the United States, the people are subject to state and local government with the power to customize laws on matters that are not granted in the constitution. Canada works within a constitutional framework based on the conventions of the Westminster system and English common law. Then again, politically, it’s a different story and system in each states, especially as concerns the non-American territories of Greenland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Bermuda which are generally parliaments under Danish, French, and British dependency.
Climate
As equally diverse is the weather of North America. With it colossal territory, a range of climatic conditions are experienced all over the continent, unlike in Central or South America. This is both the best and worst aspect of North American weather, and we’ve been witness to this over the last few years. From Tundra to Equatorial, sub-zero to desert, the North American weather has that much variety. In Greenland, ice caps are rather permanent, just as most of the northern regions of the continent are in sub-zero temperatures year-round. To the extreme south of the continent, the climate is dry and arid. In between are tundra, tropical, and continental regions.
Culture
Equally, the culture in North America is utterly diverse even going as far back to pre-colonial times. At present, a patriotic America presents itself as a single united nation downplaying its undeniable diversities, no matter how good or bad these are. Theirs is a ‘heteroglossic’ culture, one such of many voices as reflected in their language and literature. Thus, North American culture can be defined with and only as far as the individual national enclaves and the cultural fusion that connects them all.
With but a glance at the discourses of cultural institutions, there are cultures that embody an iconic “American” which mainly draws basics from the White/European societies, while there are others that will be subordinated, which more often than not are the non-white cultures that have been hidden. The concept of an all-American girl is just to cite an example. The North American identity is complex than it is simple, with an identity that is ever varied and constantly shifting. Where before, race and gender are bases for discrimination, now, pop culture tends to be looks-based.
Language
English is the necessary language tool that will definitely ease mobility, even in French-speaking Quebec, Canada which is officially bilingual. While speaking the same language, accents vary like in New York and Texas. French played a significant role in North America and is retained in some parts to the north like in Canada and Saint Pierre et Miquelon. The other prevalent language is Spanish. Spanish is largely used towards the south of the continent like in Mexico and the United States such as Florida and California where there are substantial Latin populations. Browse through your French and Spanish phrasebooks. Aside from necessity, say when planning to eat in a taqueria, it could also be fun.
Customs
Customs and etiquette are not uniform in North America and vary among the many different societies that are in existence here. All the nations in the continent take after the cultural heritage of Europe especially the British, but differ widely based generally on situation and location, i.e. interrupting someone mid-sentence is rude, but in some parts, so is not participating in conversations. European manners are much more strongly observed where there are European enclaves and strong cultural practices, but in essence, North Americans are compliant. Much appreciation comes of course, with an effort to learn and practice customs and traditions no matter how insignificant they may seem, like greeting strangers or not calling Inuits and Greenlanders “Eskimos”.
Not quite as casual as Asia or Australia to travellers, showing gratitude for great service would be highly suggested with a “thanks” and a 10% tip. Be polite with your server or waiter, because, here, you won’t want to mess up with the people who prepare your food. Principally, there is no strict dress code as long as one dons class and comfort, except for certain places and occasions where a code is required like the hotel or a premiere night club. Familiarity with European customs especially etiquette at the table ensures less chances of being offensive. At the end of the day, the traveller can’t really rub people up the wrong way in North America, unless there is intent to do so. At times, people simply choose to not like you. Just be nice to the police.
Main Attractions
North America is nothing quite simple to spend a holiday in as movies or travel shows which are but suggestions of what the continent really is. The right destination can be subjective in a land that’s so diverse from the uncorrupted wilderness in Canada, the urban flair of the United States, the ethereal landscapes of Greenland, and the historical essence of Mexico, components which a traveller will actually find interchangeable anywhere within this grand continent. Canada earned prestige for outdoor pursuits such as winter sports and wildlife, but if it is ice you want, check out the Greenlandic icebergs of Ilulissat Icefjord.
After a match of hockey, some beach bumming would be perfect to shake of the teeth chattering. To the southern coasts like California and Florida are white sandy beaches and clear waters, but Acapulco and Cancun is another level of paradise. Overall, North America offers an epic proportion of outdoor pursuits and lively culture like New York, Quebec, Nuuk, and Guadalajara. One holiday is too little time because travelling between regions is time-consuming and costly, but fun to say the least. So, skip heavily-trudged Hollywood with the 2-hour immigration routine for good ole Philly or maybe Tasiilaq.
Costs
But the traveller just can’t choose any destination. In arranging your North American trip, the travel cost is another vital issue that needs serious planning. Besides the airfare, which we could estimate at around $700-$1,600 for economy from international locations, and insurance, expenses would basically include personal needs (i.e. toiletries), communication, tour and entrance fees (museum, shows, and movies), transportation, food, and lodging. For rentals and accommodation, prices 2-3 times less expensive than Europe, food, especially at local diners.
Shopping, like the prices, is wild and crazy with all the surplus of merchandise like shampoos, clothes, watches, make-up etc, especially on the 4th of July Sale in the U.S. Now, that’s patriotism! From Gap to Guess, from Jill Sanders to Marc Jacobs, from Maybelline to MAC, shops and stores are part of the festivities on Valentine’s Day or even Mother’s Day.
Safety
Yes, the police. Be nice and cooperative and they can be your best bud in town. Far too often, hear of thugs and mug situations, gangsters, mafia, serial killers, and the like, mostly from the movies. Basically, for that, the traveller just has to avoid the off-the-beaten path because tourist hotspots are normally secure, whereas natural disasters mostly render no escape. Flash floods, hurricanes, and snow storms are ever possible in this sizeable landmass. For instance, travelling to the north especially in the Cascades, the Rockies, and Alaska during winter screams road rage from all the snow, add New York City, Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston.
Besides this, North American wildlife also poses tremendous risk. Let this be the traveller’s introduction to the grizzly bear and the Mojave green – something that, bereft of expertise, ought not to be done on a personal level. Safety advices are essentially the same everywhere. Locals can also be your worst enemy, for any show of disrespect. Ladies must not walk around at night, alone, and keep money and other valuables out of sight. Hitchhiking is potentially risky, unlike Europe where there are formal carpool arrangements. Remember, North America is among the largest continents in the world, so take every precaution possible.
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Josh Boorman
Editor-in-chief
Backpacking Addictz
Twitter: @backpackaddictz
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