what's the difference between America and the United States?

Question

it's for a project

Answer 1

In a strange way, everyone here is a little bit correct.

The "Americas" include North America, South America, and Central America.

However, when one speaks of "America" they typically mean the United States of America.

It is a touchy subject obviously because of the arrogance implied in equating the USA with "America" in general. But insofar as you would call the United States of America the USA or US, it is simply easier to say "America" as well. Eventually, popular discourse becomes standard - in the same way that "email" has been added to Webster's Dictionary, "America" became the standard call-name for the USofA just because that's what people call(ed) it. This worked socially, politically, and economically as the US flourished via immigration based on "America's" image as "The Land of Opportunity."

There is nothing inherent about the United States (part of the Americas) that it should be called "America" (an implication that it IS the - whole of the -"Americas"). I'm not even sure that it is so popularly used outside of the US as it once was; whereas a US citizen may be told to go to one's "American" Ambassador, I'm sure the official title of that person would be "US Ambassador" or "Ambassador of the United States" within any other given country)...

Enough rambling on my part...the difference is controversial

Answer 2

North and South America are Continents.

The US is a country formed on the North American continent.

North America is the continent the US is named after.

Technically all people living on either continent can be called "Americans" (Generally adding North or South to distinguish the two). However common acceptance states that the people who live in the US are referred to as "Americans" since 'America" is a part of the nation's name.

Answer 3

There are 2 continents, North America and South America. The United States of America is a country on the North American continent. Collectivelly the 2 continents are known as the AmericaS, with the S. People on the continents are usually referred to as what their country of origin is ie. Canadian, Mexican etc. Collectively, the south continent's citizens are knowns as South Americans. To refer to only Americans is universally accepted as referring to citizens of the United States of America.

I can only hope that all the people who answered that America is a continent and the United States is a country on the continent, aren't Americans!

Answer 4

America is the name of a continent - there are North America and South America - also Central America.

The United States of America is the name of a country. It is in the continent of North America. It has a number of states and the spoken language is mainly English.

The difference between a continent and a country can be found by looking up the definition of each on a site such as
Answers.com

A country is a nation.
A continent is one of the principal land masses of the earth, usually regarded as including Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Answer 5

America is two things.
1) North American Continent including Canada.
2) An independent Republic.

United States of America is a Federation of (supposedly) independent states under a central government, 48 of which are mainland and 2 not.

Answer 6

America: There are two CONTINENTS, North America (in which the United States is located) and South America.

United States: one of the COUNTRIES IN North America (along with others such as Mexico and Canada)

The US is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Answer 7

the united states is short for the united stated of america. just like how the english say the states. you would sound dumb asking whats the difference between the states and the united states.

america is a country. and we have united states within that country. therefor we are the united states of america.

our states have united. and we are america. the states of america have united.

Answer 8

America is a Continent
United States is a Country

Answer 9

the name it is the same country ( United states of America)

Answer 10

America is the land or continent and the United States is a country.