Flanked by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the land that now comprises Canada, Mexico, and the United States was originally colonized in the 1600s by French, Spanish, and British explorers. While the 13 British colonies of the United States gained independence from Great Britain in 1776, Mexico won the War of Independence against Spain in 1821, and most of Canada's French- and English-speaking populations united in 1867.

From Canada's subarctic climates, across the flat plains of the American Midwest, down to Mexico's mountainous jungle, these North American countries have shared borders and a shared economy since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in 1994. By removing most barriers to trade and investment between the three countries, NAFTA promises economic growth and an increased standard of living for all people within its purview.

Facing environmental challenges and divisive immigration policies, the independent nations of Canada, Mexico, and the United States will continue to rely on each other to secure a prosperous future.