^The division of the
Americas into the
continents of
North America and
South America is somewhat arbitrary. Most commonly,
Panama is considered to be a part of North America and
Colombia is considered a part of
South America.
Geologically, the boundary between the two continents is defined by the boundary between the
Caribbean Plate and the
South American Plate. This places the boundary roughly along the Panama-Colombia border. Other definitions place the boundary at the lowest natural crossing of the
Isthmus of Panama near the
Panama Canal, or along the canal itself. Another definition places the boundary at the lowest crossing of
Central America near
Lake Nicaragua. This definition splits Central America between the continents of North and South America.
^The division of the
Americas into the
continents of
North America and
South America is somewhat arbitrary. Most commonly,
Panama is considered to be a part of North America and
Colombia is considered a part of
South America.
Geologically, the boundary between the two continents is defined by the boundary between the
Caribbean Plate and the
South American Plate. This places the boundary roughly along the Panama-Colombia border. Other definitions place the boundary at the lowest natural crossing of the
Isthmus of Panama near the
Panama Canal, or along the canal itself. Another definition places the boundary at the lowest crossing of
Central America near
Lake Nicaragua. This definition splits Central America between the continents of North and South America.