Difference between revisions of "Americas"
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'''''The Americas''''' is a general term usually meaning North, Central and South America collectively. | '''''The Americas''''' is a general term usually meaning North, Central and South America collectively. | ||
[[Image:South_america.jpg|thumb|left|350px|South America]] | [[Image:South_america.jpg|thumb|left|350px|South America]] | ||
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| + | ''The name America is derived from that of the Italian merchant and navigator [[Americo Vespucci]], one of the earliest European explorers of the New World.'' | ||
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| + | ''The climatic zones of the two continents are quite different. In North America, subarctic climate prevails in the north, gradually warming southward and finally becoming tropical near the southern isthmus. In South America, the climate in the north is tropical, becoming cooler southward, and finally becoming a cold, marine climate'' [http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-20369/Americas America] Encyclopædia Britannica. | ||
[[Category:Geography]] | [[Category:Geography]] | ||
[[Category:Continents]] | [[Category:Continents]] | ||
Revision as of 02:04, September 15, 2007
The Americas are a pair of continents in the Western Hemisphere, including the entire North American continent and the entire South American continent. They cover over 8.3% of the Earth's total surface and constitute 28.4% of its total landmass. 14% of the human population lives in the Americas.
The word "America" is often used in US to refer particularly to the United States of America.
The Americas is a general term usually meaning North, Central and South America collectively.
The name America is derived from that of the Italian merchant and navigator Americo Vespucci, one of the earliest European explorers of the New World.
The climatic zones of the two continents are quite different. In North America, subarctic climate prevails in the north, gradually warming southward and finally becoming tropical near the southern isthmus. In South America, the climate in the north is tropical, becoming cooler southward, and finally becoming a cold, marine climate America Encyclopædia Britannica.