Americas

The Americas, sometimes called America, include both North America and South America. They are the second largest continent after Asia. Many people, places, and natural wonders live there. The land stretches from cold, icy areas near the North Pole to warm, rainy forests near the equator.

Many different kinds of plants and animals live there, from snowy forests to green jungles. Long ago, people first came to the Americas from Asia. Later, explorers from Europe arrived and changed the lives of many people living there.

Today, the Americas have huge cities like New York City and São Paulo. Millions of people from many backgrounds live together. Even though the past was difficult for many native peoples, the Americas now are a place of great diversity and importance in the world.

Etymology and naming

Main article: Naming of the Americas

The name "America" was first used in 1507 on a world map made by Martin Waldseemüller. It comes from Americus, the Latin version of explorer Amerigo Vespucci’s first name. People later used the name for both North and South America. Today, many people call these two areas the Americas. But if someone just says "America," they usually mean the United States of America.

Terminology

Main article: Naming of the Americas

The Americas is a name for both North America and South America together. In English, people often call these places "the Americas" or the "Western Hemisphere." The word "American" can mean something from the Americas, but it is most often used for the United States.

In Spanish, the whole area is called "América," including both North and South America. People from the United States are usually called "estadounidense" to avoid confusion. Other languages have their own words for the Americas, which can sometimes cause mix-ups.

History

Main article: History of the Americas

Pre-Columbian era

Main article: Pre-Columbian era

The Pre-Columbian era covers all time in the Americas before Europeans arrived. People first moved from Asia to North America and South America. They settled in places like Alaska and Yukon over 20,000 years ago. They moved south after the ice age using routes like the Beringia land bridge.

Many great civilizations lived in the Americas before Europeans came. These included societies in Mesoamerica like the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec, and in the Andes like the Inca. These cultures built cities, farmed the land, and created complex societies. Some had their own ways of writing.

Large-scale European colonization

Main article: European colonization of the Americas

European colonization of the Americas began with Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492. Spain was the first European country to settle in the Americas, starting with Santo Domingo on the island of Hispaniola. Other European countries followed, including France, England, and the Netherlands.

As Europeans settled in the Americas, they brought diseases that affected many native people. Europeans also brought enslaved Africans to work on farms and in mines. Over time, many countries in the Americas gained their independence from European rule. This began with revolutions in the United States and Haiti in the late 1700s and continued through the 1800s as many Latin American countries fought for freedom.

Geography

Further information: Geography of North America and Geography of South America

The Americas cover most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere. They stretch from the north, near Kaffeklubben Island, to the south, close to Águila Islet. This makes them the longest landmass from north to south. The mainland of the Americas runs about 14,000 km from Murchison Promontory in Canada to Cape Froward in Chile.

The shape of the Americas is shaped by big mountain ranges. In South America, the Andes run along the west coast. In North America, the Rocky Mountains and other ranges line the western side. The Appalachian Mountains are on the east coast of North America. The highest peak in the Americas is Aconcagua in Argentina, and Denali in Alaska is the tallest in North America.

The climate in the Americas changes a lot. Some areas, like the Amazon and parts of the United States, have tropical rainforests. Other places, like the mountains in the Rocky Mountains and Andes, have colder, drier weather. Some parts of North America can have severe weather like tornadoes and hurricanes.

Many big rivers flow through the Americas. In North America, the Mississippi is one of the largest. In South America, the Amazon is the largest river in the world. These rivers help shape the land and support many plants and animals.

Countries and territories

See also: List of sovereign states and dependent territories in the Americas

The Americas have 35 countries. There are also many areas ruled by other nations. For example, Denmark has a region in the Americas. France has areas it controls too. The United Kingdom has territories, and the Netherlands has places it governs. The United States has areas it controls as well.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Americas

See also: Economy of North America, Economy of South America, and Latin American economy

See also: List of North American countries by GDP (nominal) and List of North American countries by GDP (PPP)

See also: List of Latin American and Caribbean countries by GDP (PPP)

The Americas have a strong and varied economy. The United States is important in global trade. It is a big exporter and the largest importer. Mexico and Canada also help with international trade.

The continent grows many important crops. Countries like the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina grow soy, sugarcane, coffee, and maize. The Americas also produce a lot of beef, chicken meat, and cow's milk. The United States has a big industry, with Mexico, Brazil, and Canada also doing well. The continent has many natural resources like oil, natural gas, coal, and metals.

Demographics

Population

Further information: List of countries in the Americas by population

In 2021, about 1.03 billion people lived in the Americas. North America, including Central America and the Caribbean, had about 596.6 million people. South America had about 434.3 million people.

Largest urban centers

See also: Largest cities in the Americas and List of metropolitan areas in the Americas by population

Three cities are very large. Mexico City has the largest area around it. New York City has the largest group of nearby homes. São Paulo has the largest number of people inside its city limits. These cities are very important.

Ethnology

People in the Americas come from four main groups and their mixtures. These groups are the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, including Amerindians and Inuit-Yupik-Unangan, people from Europe such as Spanish, English, Irish, Portuguese, German, Italian, French, and Dutch, people from Africa mainly from West Africa, and Asians from East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian backgrounds. There are also people with mixed ancestries such as Mestizos, Mulattoes, and Zambos.

Most people live in Latin America, where Spanish and Portuguese are common. This area is different from Anglo-America, where English is the main language, as in Canada (except for Francophone Canada) and the United States.

Religion

Further information: Religion in Latin America, Religion in North America, Christianity in the Americas, and Islam in the Americas

Christianity is the most common religion in the Americas. Roman Catholicism is strong in Latin America. In North America, Protestantism is common, especially in the United States. Other religions include Irreligion, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and various indigenous and African-derived religions.

Languages

Main articles: Indigenous languages of the Americas, Languages of North America, and Languages of South America

Spanish is the most spoken language in the Americas, followed by English and Portuguese. In Latin America, Spanish is main except in Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken. English is the main language in Anglo-America, while French is also official in Canada, especially in Quebec. Many other languages are spoken due to immigration, making the Americas very diverse in languages.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of North America and Culture of Latin America

The Americas have many different cultures from many peoples. Two popular sports there are baseball and football. Baseball became more popular after the United States grew stronger in the late 1800s. Football is enjoyed in both North and South America, with different groups managing the sport in each place.

See also: Pan American Championship

Multinational organizations

The Americas have many groups that help countries work together. These groups focus on trade, culture, safety, and other shared goals.

Some of these groups are the Alliance for Progress, Andean Community of Nations, Association of Caribbean States, Caribbean Community, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Pacific Alliance, Pan American Sports Organization, and the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. There are many other groups that work to support the Americas.