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[[Image:North_america.jpg|thumb|right|200px|North America]]

[[Image:North_america.jpg|thumb|right|200px|North America]]

A pair of continents in the Western Hemisphere.  America really includes the entire [[North America|North American]] continent, the entire [[South America|South American]] continent, and the strip of land between them known as [[Central America]]. 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 '''Americas''' are a pair of continents in the Western Hemisphere, including the entire [[North America|North American]] continent and the entire [[South America|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.

America was named after Richard ap Meurig (sometimes rendered ap Merik or Amerike), an important Bristol merchant and sponsor of the Cabots. The word "America" is often used in the [[United States]] (and other countries friendly to it) to refer particularly to the [[United States of America]] (see [[Americas]]).  

America was named after Richard ap Meurig (sometimes rendered ap Merik or Amerike), an important Bristol merchant and sponsor of the Cabots. The word "America" is often used in the [[United States]] (and other countries friendly to it) to refer particularly to the [[United States of America]] (see [[Americas]]).  

[[Image:South_america.jpg|thumb|left|400px|South America]]

[[Image:South_america.jpg|thumb|left|400px|South America]]