A Lesson in Geography: America, North America, the Americas, and More

America is a country. North America is a continent. And then there are kingdoms and republics.

Own artwork using illustrations from Wiki Creative Commons

Don’t you get a little tired of those who come to you with the great put-down that America is not the name of the United States of America — that America is a continent? Every now and then, when I have said something that threatens the politics of those who are a little less than knowledgeable, they come up with that gem.

I thought I would just do a quick illustration of the difference between America and North America, plus add a few other tidbits as well. It’s all for the good.

Here are some those tidbits.

1. The two continents are North America and South America. Together, they are called ‘The Americas.’
2. The USA is known right across the world as America. It is short for the United States of America.
3. Here are some other abbreviations:

• China for People’s Republic of China
• Germany for the Federal Republic of Germany
• Ireland for the Republic of Ireland
• South Africa for the Republic of South Africa
• Mexico for the United…