Final answer:
The continental divide in North America, running from Alaska through Canada to the southwestern United States, is known as the Rocky Mountains.
Step-by-step explanation:
The geographic region that acts as the continental divide in North America, running from Alaska through Canada and ending in the southwestern United States, is known as the Rocky Mountains. This mountain range is part of a larger system of ranges and plateaus that also include the Pacific Mountains, the Intermountain Basins and Plateaux, and the Sierra Nevada. It functions as a major physical barrier, separating the waters that flow into the Atlantic Ocean from those that head towards the Pacific. The Rocky Mountains stretch across the western part of the continent and, in conjunction with other geographical features like the Canadian Shield and the Appalachian Mountains, play a crucial role in North America's physical landscape.