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North America: Explore Natural Wonders, Cultural Riches, and Endless Adventures

Snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky with a body of water in the foreground and a red cabin on a grassy field.

North America

In case you haven't checked out our story, we’re an international couple – Jenn is Canadian and Leon is British – who met on Instagram through our shared love of poetry. In 2019, Leon moved to Canada and we embarked on a road trip across the entire country.

 

After the Covid pandemic, we moved to Mexico and explored 10 cities in 6 months. We even spent Jenn’s birthday in the Dominican Republic. Through our blog, we share our tips and tricks on how to explore the world while keeping a budget. Join us on our adventures throughout North America!

Countries visited (4)

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Check out our comprehensive Country Guides with all you need to know before you go, including our latest posts, must-see places, interesting facts, and key information about health & safety, transport, local customs, cuisine, connectivity, visa information, useful links and much more!

Scenic view of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Canada, with turquoise waters and snow-capped mountain peaks, featuring a prominent "Canada" logo.
El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico with a semi-transparent Mexican flag overlay on the left side.

Interesting Facts

Here are 13 interesting facts about North America. Some may just surprise you!

1. North America is the third largest continent in the world, behind Africa and Asia. It covers over 9.5 million square miles, 16.5% of the world's total land mass.

 

2. North America is commonly thought to refer to just Canada and the United States, but it actually also includes Mexico and Greenland.

 

3. Half of all of the world's corn supply comes from North America.

 

4. North America's population as a whole is estimated to be around 461 million. To put that in perspective, the total population of Europe is over 740 million.

 

5. English, Spanish and French are the main languages spoken in North America. Danish is also spoken, although this is mainly confined to Greenland.

 

6. At 3.85 million square miles, Canada is the largest country in North America. The United States is the second largest country, followed by Greenland and then Mexico.

 

7. The first ever letter to be sent from North America was in 1527, by John Rut. It was sent from Newfoundland, and reached Henry VIII in England over a month later.

 

8. The name “America” used to only refer to South America. However, when the land mass of North America was discovered and added to maps, most mapmakers opted to retain the original name. Gerard Mercator, a geographer, was the first documented mapmaker who chose to name both the north and south parts of the American landmass as “America” in 1539.

 

9. North America spans two hemispheres and borders no less than three of the world's oceans, the Atlantic, Arctic and the Pacific. The world's largest coastline can be found in Canada, at a staggering 80,000 square miles. That is over double its nearest rival Norway. 

 

10. Death Valley is the lowest, and also the driest, point in North America and received just one cup of rainfall every year.

 

11. The world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior, borders both Canada and the United States. It has a surface area of nearly 32,000 square miles!

 

12. North America is home to 23 sovereign countries. The largest city is Mexico City at 21 million people, closely followed by New York at 20 million.

 

13. North America has the most Olympic Gold Medalists of any continent. It has hosted the Olympics twelve times, the first of which was in 1904.

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Discover more from North America and join 14k on our YouTube channel at Jenn and Leon Travel

Isla Mujeres MEXICO Playa Norte Mexico (What to SEE & do, budget & bougie) 2 ways to Explore
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Isla Mujeres MEXICO Playa Norte Mexico (What to SEE & do, budget & bougie) 2 ways to Explore

We are exploring the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres, Mexico (the Island of Women) We are sharing our Airbnb, Hotel, golf carts, beach clubs and epic sunsets on this Island of turquoise water and sprawling sandy beaches off of the coast of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. MEXICO TRAVEL VLOG 2023 This video will help you to budget and plan what it will cost to visit the island with a variety of different options for you to choose from. #islamujeres #mexico #golfcart We arrived by Ultramar Ferry from Cancun and started our time off exploring a few restaurants, a beach club and our Airbnb with a focus mostly on the north end of the Island. With a visit to Jax restaurant, The Green Demon beach bar and La Cazuela M&J. We've formatted the video into two parts. The second portion of the video we are exploring the south end with a stay at the Casa de Los Suenos Boutique Hotel and the beach club restaurant Kin Ha. We tour the island on a golf cart and visit the mayan Ruins of Ixchel at the southernmost tip of the Island an absolutely beautiful must see location also widely known as Iguana point. One showing the more budget option to explore this island with part two being a higher budget away to explore the island. We've gone with the concept of THIS or THAT. At the end of the video let us know which way is your preferred day of travel....this way or that way!? Airbnb link: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/45220293?source_impression_id=p3_1636542928_Hbq2IdUNDEA7ZYVR&guests=1&adults=1 CHAPTERS 00:00 ISLA MUJERES INTRO 00:28 ULTRAMAR FERRY CANCUN TO ISLA MUJERES 01:20 JAX ISLA MUJERES 02:00 CHURROS ISLA MUJERES 02:47 GREEN DEMON BEACH BAR ISLA MUJERES 04:33 BUDGET AIRBNB TOUR ISLA MUJERES 06:13 GOLF CART ISLA MUJERES TOURING THE ISLAND 07:17 PUNTA SUR ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE ISLA MUJERES 09:41 CASA SUENOS BOUTIQUE HOTEL ISLA MUJERES 10:14 KINHA RESTAURANT ISLA MUJERES 12:35 CASA SUENOS ISLA MUJERES ROOM TOUR Next up we are sharing our amazing night out at an EPIC 5 star restaurant in Cancun....can you guess where? You don't want to miss this video! We hope that this video helps you to get an idea of some of the costs, some places you can visit yourself and to join in our travel journeys exploring the world as slow travelling entrepreneurs, writers and digital nomads. Join us on the journey! Don't forget to Subscribe!
Puerto Morelos; BEACH life, restaurants, CENOTES and NIGHTLIFE!
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Puerto Morelos; BEACH life, restaurants, CENOTES and NIGHTLIFE!

We are in Puerto Morelos, Mexico! It is one of our favourite destinations in Mexico, especially in Quintana Roo. We highly recommend a visit to this smaller fishing village that is less touristy than many other towns in the area. It's not ot far from Cancun you can travel by taxi or bus and it's a great stop for a few days on the way to Playa del Carmen (as we did) or you can definitely plan for an extended stay in this lovely area as we intend to do next visit! We highly recommend the restaurant Mar Bella right on the water for some amazing seafood and amazing desserts. You should definitely add this destination to your Yucatan Peninsula tour of the Caribbean If you plan your timing right there are turtle releases on the coastal beaches here! Something we didn't get to experience but we will definitely return for! The area is also quite popular for diving, another thing we didn't get the chance to try. CHAPTERS 00:00 Visiting PUERTO MORELOS in QUINTANA ROO 00:20 CASA MALIX our AIRBNB and room tour 01:24 walking along PUERTO MORELOS BEACH 01:43 MAR BELLA epic seafood restaurant 05:26 LA NORIA CENOTE a local spot 9:07 PUERTO MORELOS exploring the BEACH FRONT and DOCK 11:13 OUTRO 👩🏻‍💻READ OUR TRAVEL BLOG and FIND OUR PHOTOGRAPHY! ✍🏻 BLOG & WEBSITE https://www.closerlives.com/jenn-and-leon-travel-blog 💼Business inquiries 📧 EMAIL contactus@closerlives.com 📧 JENN abroadperspective@closerlives.com INSTAGRAM @jennandleontravel https://www.instagram.com/jennandleontravel/ 💁🏻‍♀️JENN https://www.instagram.com/_a_broad_perspective 🙋🏻‍♂️LEON https://www.instagram.com/leon.gregori213/?hl=en FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/JennandLeonTravel *12GO* Book your transport in advance and get great deals on trains, buses, ferries and even flights! https://booking.closerlives.com/en *KOHO ONLINE BANKING* open a Canadian account as a new user using our code: LBJDEPD4 https://www.koho.ca/referral/ Once you spend $20 in the first 30 days, you’ll get the $20 cash back *EXPEDIA* book your first trip/hotel/car rental/flight as a NEW USER on App with a min. spend $230 and receive $30 off https://www.expedia.ca/refer?refcode=JenniferJNfW4 *AMAZON* our Travel Must Have’s on Our Storefront https://amzn.to/3PJajs5 *EPEDEMIC SOUND* The music we use for our vlogs. Get 7 days free trail here: https://share.epidemicsound.com/al0ue2 *CAMBLY* Earn extra money tutoring anywhere in the world as a native English speaker online. Teach 10/hrs and receive a $30 bonus. Apply through our link: https://www.cambly.com/invite/F6QAQ4SK?st=040924&sc=4 📸 *TRUSTED HOUSESITTERS* Explore the World and stay for free while house sitting or pet sitting! Sign up with our link and receive 25% off your annual membership https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/refer/RAF778513/?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=refer-a-friend&utm_campaign=refer-a-friend *PRINTIFY* Start your drop-shipping business today with the no.1 print-on-demand service https://try.printify.com/closerlives *Disclaimers* We only recommend products we would use ourselves and all opinions expressed here are our own. This video may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission. We are JENN and LEON. We are a Canadian and British couple that has been traveling the world FULL TIME since 2021. Our vlogs are helpful to those looking to travel abroad, slow travel, budget travel, fast travel and luxury travel. There are also lifestyle and couple videos too. #puertomorelos #mexico #travelmexico #mexicovlog
TORA; Cancun, Mexico's MUST VISIT Restaurant in 2024
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TORA; Cancun, Mexico's MUST VISIT Restaurant in 2024

We are dining and reviewing TORA the 5 Star Seafood Fine Dining Live Entertainment, Shows, Sparkler Fountains, Fireworks, Fancy Fun spot in Cancun Mexico. MEXICO TRAVEL VLOG What an amazing sunset and evening spent in the best restaurant in all of Cancun, Mexico in our opinions! With amazing sushi, lobster, fish and seafood risotto we were given first class treatment during this epic night out. The drum bongo and dancing show was so fun along with the fountain sparklers who doesn't love a good sparkler! It always sets the mood. We enjoyed hookah, tequila, wine and brandy nut don't worry the evening was spread out over 8 hours for us ha! Finishing the evening off with fireworks and dancing all while enjoying the beautiful view. The management and staff are highly attentive and very entertaining. They took very good care of us. Sorry I forgot the film the ladies washroom but there are full length mirrors, glasses of champagne and all of the extra bells and whistles. You can obviously spend less than we did to enjoy some time here as the entertainment is included regardless of what you decide to order. If you are celebrating anything special while in Cancun Mexico this is the place to do it....but don't forget to make a reservation! We can't wait to go back again! #travel #cancun #mexico #food Let us know if you would enjoy spending an evening in this epic restaurant! Join us on the journey! Don't forget to Subscribe! BUSINESS CONTACT INFO Work with Us! BUSINESS EMAIL - closerlives@gmail.com BUSINESS and BLOG WEBSITE CloserLives - https://www.closerlives.com OUR ETSY SHOP CloserLivesEmporium - check out our AMAZING gear https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CloserLivesEmporium?ref=seller-platform-mcnav JENN INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/writings_of_an_ex_mrs/ LEON INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/leon.gregori213/ JENN FB - https://www.facebook.com/writingsofamrsjennifer/ LEON FB - https://www.facebook.com/leon.gregori213 JENN'S BLOGS - https://writingsofamrs.wordpress.com https://writingsofamrsmommy.wordpress.com
CANCUN AirBnB and The Cost of Living and general things to know MEXICO TRAVEL VLOG
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CANCUN AirBnB and The Cost of Living and general things to know MEXICO TRAVEL VLOG

Cancun, Mexico in this video you will see our Airbnb cost for our first month, general cost of things and us getting used to the way things work in Cancun Mexico. #CancunMexico #Cancuncostofliving #mexico Everything you see in this video is within a 15 minute walk of the Air BnB We show you the surrounding a hospital, shopping centre and tons of restaurants, convenience stores, cafes, pharmacies, movies theatre etc. Our AirbnB was in a gated community with 24 hour front gate security. The grounds included a lovely walking path, two outdoor swimming pools, playpark for children, enclosed dog park, a gathering area, outdoor BBQ area, soccer field, outdoor ping pong table along with an outdoor gym. The unit included private washer and dryer, 2 full bathrooms and bedrooms with ample storage and everything you need. High speed internet was included as well. There were limited starter supplies in the kitchen however (no salt, sugar, oil etc) Water and electricity (for long stays) are extra however it was extremely reasonable for the month. The hotel zone was a 10 minute Uber ride away (more on that adventure next video). We loved the location and accommodation. We would definitely return in the future! Airbnb link: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/44332431?source_impression_id=p3_1630689497_gRvolYgcNr6%2BKWxr&guests=1&adults=1 Join us on the journey! Don't forget to Subscribe! BUSINESS EMAIL - closerlives@gmail.com BUSINESS WEBSITE CloserLives - https://www.closerlives.com ETSY SHOP CloserLivesEmporium -https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CloserLivesEmporium?ref=seller-platform-mcnav JENN INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/writings_of_an_ex_mrs/ LEON INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/leon.gregori213/ JENN FB - https://www.facebook.com/writingsofamrsjennifer/ LEON FB - https://www.facebook.com/leon.gregori213 JENN'S BLOGS - https://writingsofamrs.wordpress.com https://writingsofamrsmommy.wordpress.com

As entrepreneurs and full-time slow travellers our goal is to see as much of this beautiful planet as we can! We love getting to know communities and locals around the world and through our channel we want to help and support them by sharing their culture with our viewers. By subscribing to our channel you will get notified of our latest videos as and when they land, so you will never miss out!

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Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives

We plan to see, learn, love and share as much of the world with others as possible. That is why we created Closer Lives, to create a community for like-minded individuals and to help bring the world a little closer together through poetry, history, storytelling, healing, art, purpose and community.

 

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