As of July 2007 , its population was estimated at nearly 524 million people .
North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometres ( 9,540,198 sq mi ) , about 4.8 % of the planet 's surface or about 16.5 % of its land area .
As of July 2007 , North America 's population was estimated at nearly 524 million people .
North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometres ( 9,540,198 sq mi ) , about 4.8 % of the planet 's surface or about 16.5 % of its land area .