Why USA is called America when America is a continent?

Answer 1

We were first a group of colonies in the "Americas". Then we became independent states who decided to unite. So, we became the United States OF America. People just started saying America and everyone knew they meant The United States of ...

Answer 2

United States of America...the continents are North America, and South America.

Answer 3

Let's analyze this. We are the United States of AMERICA. America refers to our states as a collective. That is why we call ourselves Americans. True there are North and South American Continents. The inhabitants can be referred to north and south Americans in a general sense, just like Germans and Italians can be referred to as Europeans. However. We are the only country in North and South America who have incorporated AMERICA into the name of our country.

Answer 4

North America is a continent Canada + America

Answer 5

United States of America cause we live on North America

Answer 6

U.S.A. is a country, not a continent. there are two continents that include the word America. North America, and South America.

Answer 7

First, the continents are North and South America.
Second, USA shares the continent with Canada and Mexico (geographically)
Third, USA is called America (colloquial) for short.

Answer 8

It's just because it takes too long to say or write "United States of America" - "America" is a short version, kind of like a nickname. Many countries with long names are known by shortened nicknames - who actually says "The United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland" in everyday speech?!

To some of the previous answerers: North America is Canada, the United States, AND Mexico. Why did all of you leave out Mexico?

Answer 9

America is named after Amerigo Vaspucie (it's spelled something like that). He is the one who "discovered" it, although we always say it was Christopher Columbus. America is not a continent. North America and South America are continents. Together they are called The Americas a.k.a. Western Civilization. Once the states became a union, then it was called United States of America.

Answer 10

It's called the United STATES of America", just as Canada is called the "north" country. Personally, I hate it when americans call us canadians "canuks and then say that we are part of America too. The whole world associates America" with the USA, its been that way forever

Answer 11

We are the "United States" of America. A group of states who all occupy a part of North America. Those refer to us as America are using the term incorrectly.