North America
- Smaller populations: The largest civilizations in North America, such as the Mississippian culture, had populations of around 10,000 people. This is in contrast to Central and South America, where some civilizations had populations of over a million people.
- Less hierarchical: North American civilizations were less hierarchical than those of Central and South America. There were no centralized governments or large empires. Instead, power was typically distributed among a small group of elites.
- More egalitarian: North American societies were more egalitarian than those of Central and South America. There was less social stratification and more opportunities for social mobility.
- More trade: North American civilizations engaged in more trade than those of Central and South America. This was due in part to the fact that they had a more extensive network of rivers and lakes.
Central and South America
- Larger populations: The largest civilizations in Central and South America, such as the Maya and Aztec civilizations, had populations of over a million people.
- More hierarchical: Central and South American civilizations were more hierarchical than those of North America. There were strong central governments and large empires.
- Less egalitarian: Central and South American societies were less egalitarian than those of North America. There was more social stratification and fewer opportunities for social mobility.
- Less trade: Central and South American civilizations engaged in less trade than those of North America. This was due in part to the fact that they had less extensive networks of rivers and lakes.
