In North America there are 23 different countries that make up the continent. Let’s explore some amazing facts about the continent of North America that was named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci. French has a deep historical and cultural presence in North America, especially in Canada and some parts of the United States. With roots tracing back to the early 16th century, French speakers and their influence have shaped the continent in profound ways. 

Geography of North America

North America (Amérique du Nord) is the third largest continent (continent) in the world behind Asia (Asie) and Africa (Afrique) and covers 16.5% of the Earth’s total land area (surface terrestre). It is bordered (est bordée) by the Arctic Ocean (océan Arctique) to the north (au nord), the Pacific Ocean (océan Pacifique) to the south and west (au sud et à l’ouest), and the Atlantic Ocean (océan Atlantique) to the east (à l’est). It is also next to South America (Amérique du Sud) and the Caribbean Sea (mer des Caraïbes).

The geography (géographie) of this continent is diverse (diverse) and includes all the major biomes (biomes) or habitats (habitats). Not only is the geography varied (variée), but so is its wildlife (faune). The wildlife includes about 965 species (espèces) of mammals (mammifères), including rabbits (lapins), squirrels (écureuils), raccoons (ratons laveurs), deer (cerfs), coyotes, bears (ours), wolves (loups), and cougars (couguars). The waters (eaux) are home to whales (baleines), dolphins (dauphins), and sharks (requins).

History of North America

The history (histoire) of North America (Amérique du Nord) is fascinating (fascinante). Scientists (scientifiques) believe that over 15,000 years ago (il y a plus de 15 000 ans), the Paleo-Indians (Paléo-Indiens) from Eurasia (Eurasie) used a land bridge (pont terrestre) between modern-day Alaska and Siberia (Sibérie) to travel to the North American continent (continent nord-américain) and settle (s’installer). The people (peuples) moved south (au sud) and developed societies (sociétés).

Ancient civilizations (civilisations anciennes), including the Mayans (Mayas) and the Aztecs (Aztèques), thrived (ont prospéré), built temples (temples), and created writing systems (systèmes d’écriture) and calendars (calendriers). Eventually, settlers (colons) and colonizers (colonisateurs) from Europe (Europe) also traveled to North America, often removing (expulsant) indigenous people (peuples autochtones) and settling (s’installant) on their lands (terres).

Countries and Languages of North America (Les Pays et les Langues de l’Amérique du Nord)

There are 23 countries (23 pays) and almost two dozen dependent territories (deux douzaines de territoires dépendants). Territories (territoires) are part of other countries (pays) in the world but are still separate (séparés) from the country they belong to. For example, the United States (États-Unis) is a country, but one of its territories is the island (île) of Puerto Rico. Greenland (Groenland), although it is geographically (géographiquement) part of the North American continent (continent nord-américain), is controlled (contrôlé) by Denmark (Danemark), which is politically aligned (politiquement aligné) with Europe (Europe).

The most commonly spoken languages (langues les plus parlées) throughout North America are Spanish (espagnol) and French (français). For example, Canada (Canada) has two official languages (deux langues officielles)—French and English (anglais). There are also many indigenous languages (langues autochtones) and dialects (dialectes) spoken throughout the continent.

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Facts About French in North America

French is the second most spoken language in Canada

  • Over 7 million people in Canada speak French as their first language, primarily in Quebec.
  • French is one of Canada’s two official languages.

Quebec is the heart of French in North America

  • More than 85% of Quebec’s population speaks French as their first language.
  • The province has strong language protection laws to preserve French.

French has historical roots in the U.S.

  • Louisiana has a unique French heritage with Cajun and Creole French still spoken today.
  • Cities like New Orleans, Detroit, and St. Louis have French origins.

French was once widely spoken across North America

  • Before the British took control in 1763, New France covered parts of Canada, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi Valley.
  • Some U.S. states like Maine, Michigan, and Missouri still have French-speaking communities.

French is the second most studied language in the U.S.

  • After Spanish, French is the most commonly taught foreign language in American schools.

The Louisiana Purchase changed French influence in the U.S.

  • In 1803, the U.S. bought Louisiana from France, reducing French political control.
  • However, French culture remains strong in Louisiana today.

French in Canada is legally protected

  • The Official Languages Act (1969) ensures French and English have equal status in Canada.
  • Quebec’s Bill 101 requires businesses and public services to operate in French.

French explorers shaped North America

  • Jacques Cartier (1534) explored Canada and claimed it for France.
  • Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City in 1608, the first permanent French settlement in North America.

Vocabulary for Learning About French in North America

Here is a list of useful French words with their meanings to help you understand the history and presence of French in North America.

Geography and Countries

  • Amérique du Nord – North America
  • continent – continent
  • surface terrestre – land area
  • océan Arctique – Arctic Ocean
  • océan Pacifique – Pacific Ocean
  • océan Atlantique – Atlantic Ocean
  • Amérique du Sud – South America
  • mer des Caraïbes – Caribbean Sea
  • territoire – territory
  • île – island
  • pays – country
  • langue officielle – official language

History and Exploration

  • explorateur – explorer
  • colonie – colony
  • colonisation – colonization
  • colonisateur – colonizer

Culture and Language

  • langue maternelle – native language
  • bilinguisme – bilingualism
  • francophone – French-speaking person/community
  • anglophone – English-speaking person/community

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