North America 's climate is as varied as its topography: much of Canada is snowbound or clothed in forest, its sparse population congregating along the US border. Along the continent 's western flank are the spectacular Rocky Mountains. To the east lie the older, wooded Appalachians. Between these are the Great Plains - grazed by herds of livestock or sown with cereals.. These plains were once home to tribes of native Americans, supplanted by incoming white settlers. The population and industry of the US are concentrated in the temperate northeast, while the drier south and west are rural and thinly populated. North America is rich in minerals and oil. Mexico has the world 's largest Spanish-speaking population. Central America and the Caribbean contain some 20 countries and numerous small islands. The climate is tropical and prone to storms,the landscape mountainous and volcanic.