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Americas

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A stunning view of Earth from space, showing North and Central America with the Caribbean Sea in turquoise. This image was captured by a NASA satellite nearly one million miles away.

The Americas

The Americas are two big lands called North America and South America. They are the second biggest land after Asia. Many wonderful places, animals, and people live here.

The land stretches from very cold places near the North Pole to warm, rainy forests near the equator. You can find snowy forests and green jungles full of amazing plants and animals.

Long ago, people first walked to the Americas from Asia. Later, explorers from Europe came and changed life for many people living there.

Today, the Americas have huge, busy cities like New York City and São Paulo. Millions of people from all over the world live together. Even though the past had hard times for many native peoples, the Americas are now a place of great variety and importance.

The name "America" comes from an explorer named Amerigo Vespucci. In 1507, a map was made with his name on it. If someone says just "America," they often mean the United States of America.

The Americas have 35 countries and many smaller areas ruled by other nations. They speak many languages, such as Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

People in the Americas enjoy many sports. Baseball and football are very popular. The Americas also have groups that help countries work together, like the Organization of American States.

The Americas are a wonderful mix of cultures, lands, and people. They tell a story of adventure, change, and new beginnings.

Images

Historical world map from 1507 showing early depiction of the Americas named 'America'
Portrait of Amerigo Vespucci, the Florentine explorer after whom America is named, wearing a turban in this historical artwork.
Map showing how the Americas are divided into North and South America.
Map showing the division of the Americas into North, Central, and South America, along with the West Indies.
Map showing the division of the Americas into North, Middle, and South America.
Map showing the division of the Americas into Anglo-America and Latin America.
An ancient Maya temple at Copán, showcasing impressive stone architecture from a historic archaeological site.
A statue representing the Americas located in the Palazzo Ferreria in Valletta.
A historical map showing the path to independence in the Americas.
A colorful map showing different climate zones across North and South America, helping us understand where different kinds of weather and ecosystems can be found.
A beautiful view of Mexico City's Reforma avenue and Chapultepec park with tall buildings lining the street.
A modern bridge and office tower in São Paulo, Brazil.

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Americas, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.