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Why America Got Its Name Americus Vespucci
Fifth grade questions explain how Americus Vespucci’s maps and the Latin form Americus shaped the name America for the continents. The piece notes Americus as a friend of Columbus, his map work in South America, and the European usage “according to Americus” leading to the common name. North and South America are the only continents named after a person.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Amerigo Vespucci
Americus Vespucius
Americus
Columbus
New World
South America
Europe
North America
Babylonia
Egypt
Babylon
Greece
Euclid