A Continental Divide is a natural boundary that separates the flow of water between different ocean basins. In North America, the most famous divide is the Great Divide, which runs from Canada through the United States to New Mexico. Water on one side of the divide flows toward the Pacific Ocean, while water on the other side flows toward the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Continental divides can be found on every continent and are important for understanding geography and hydrology. They influence climate, ecosystems, and human activities. For example, the Andes Mountains in South America also serve as a continental divide, directing water flow toward the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.