section_path: Definition
section_name: Definition
paragraph_text: Definition
  
  The United Nations and its statistics division recognize North America as including three subregions: Northern America, Central America, and the Caribbean. "Northern America" is a term distinct from "North America", excluding the Caribbean and Central America, which also includes Mexico. In the limited context of regional trade agreements, the term is used to reference three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
  
  France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the countries of Latin America use a six-continent model, with the Americas viewed as a single continent and North America designating a subregion comprising Canada, Mexico, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon (politically a part of France), the United States, and often Bermuda, Clipperton Island, and Greenland.
  
  North America has historically been known by other names, including Spanish North America, New Spain, New France, British North America and América Septentrional, the first official name given to Mexico.