There are 23 countries in North America. It is the third-largest in terms of area and fourth-most populous continent in the world. North America accounts for 7.5% of the world’s population.

To create the map, the researchers amassed over 2,000 stress orientations taken across North America, of which 300 are brand new. These measurements were taken from boreholes—long, narrow shafts ...

The result was my 1981 book, “The Nine Nations of North America.”The reader reaction was astonishing. This map – drawn to anticipate the news – revealed something much deeper.

Acquired by Yale University and publicized to great fanfare in 1965, the Vinland Map—supposedly dated to mid-15th century Europe—showed part of the coast of North America, seemingly presenting ...