Reply to Referring to people from USA as "American"

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[quote=Anonymous]The Latin American clasificación of continent is based on history as well as geography.  Since there is no human history in Antarctica, it is not considered a continent.  Since South, central and north America share deep historical links, the continent is called America.  Most importantly, it is called America because that it the name that the first explorers and cartographers called it America.  It is the original name if the continent.

By the way, did you know that the poetic name for the United States, used extensively before the 20th century, was Columbia (which explains the district's name)?  Perhaps US people can call themselves Columbians?

It is not really that complicated.  People from the US call themselves American because there is no better way to call themselves.  People from the American continent call themselves American because they are from the American continent.  The former is about nationality.  The latter is about continental belonging.  It is just a convention.

That said, technically this country's name refers to a political organization (13 states that are united)  in a vague geographical referencendido (these 13 states that are united are situated in the northeastern part of the American continent).  If the 13 colonies had become provinces and had been located in, say, Korea, the country would likely have been called "United Provinces of Asia".[/quote]

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