Transportation in North America

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Transportation in North America uses roads, trains, ships, and planes. Road quality varies from very good highways to long stretches of unpaved back roads. A huge freight rail network covers the continent, but passenger rail is less popular than in Europe or Asia.

Rail networks: The United States, Canada, and Mexico have a large, interconnected rail system that serves most cities. Alaska has its own railroad, connected to the rest of North America mainly by ferry. Some Canadian lines in Labrador and Newfoundland aren’t connected to the main network. There have been ideas to build a Newfoundland-to-mainland rail tunnel under the Strait of Belle Isle to also carry cars, but the project hasn’t moved forward. The Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia blocks a rail link to South America.

Roads: The United States has the largest road system in the world, with many freeways. Canada uses the Trans-Canada Highway and provincial expressways. Mexico has a large road network with many toll roads. Central America connects to Panama via the Pan-American Highway, but the Darién Gap stops it from reaching South America. Newfoundland and Labrador have discussed a fixed link to the mainland, but it hasn’t been built; Labrador is connected by the Trans-Labrador Highway. Some Canadian provinces and U.S. states have major expressways, but networks vary by region.

Waterways and ferries: The St. Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal let ships reach the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River system carries ships far inland. The Panama Canal is a crucial shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Ferries connect Vancouver Island to the mainland and to Alaska, and car ferries operate on several routes. Ports like Churchill, Manitoba, support grain and other cargo.

Air travel: Air travel grew after World War II and became essential. The United States has most of North America’s busiest airports, and the busiest airport in North America is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The busiest airport outside the United States in North America is Toronto Pearson in Canada.