The American Continent's Name: A Fun Historical Fact

The American continent, as we know it today, is named after Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer of the 15th and 16th centuries. However, did you know that this naming decision wasn't as straightforward as it might seem? It's a fascinating journey through the history of cartography and naming conventions. In this article, we'll explore how and why America got its name, how it was mislabeled on a map, and the broader implications of this naming decision.

Who Named America?

Two German cartographers, Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann, made the decision to name the new continent after Amerigo Vespucci. Their choice was not random but rather a creative play on words that led to a naming convention that has lasted centuries.

Choosing the Name: A Play on Vernacular

In 1507, they published the first map of the New World, based on information from various sources, including Vespucci's accounts. Martin and Matthias wanted to name the new continent, and they found inspiration in the existing names of Africa and Asia, which start and end with the letter A. They modified the name Amerigo to America, the feminine version of Americus Vespucius to make it more poetic. At first, the name was used only for the southern part of the continent. It was only after a while that the northern part was also named America. Eventually, it was decided to divide the continent into North America and South America.

A Mislabeled Map and a Mistaken Identity

It's a story of error turning into history. According to a German documentary, a mislabeled map led to a significant change. The area ‘America’ was originally a small geographical region near New Jersey or New York. The map supplier mistakenly included the word ‘America’ in a small area. The printer, not realizing the mistake, labeled a large part of the eastern seaboard as ‘America’ in large letters where the Appalachian Mountains are. The owner of the map, recognizing the error, tried to buy up all the misprinted maps for editorial correctness but failed to chase down all the copies. This is how ‘America’ got its name.

The Implications and Contrasts

Imagine a different scenario: if South Africa was named the ‘United Regions of Africa’ but later started calling itself Africa and declaring itself a new continent, creating North and South Africa, similar to what the United States has done. This is somewhat what the U.S. has done, albeit outside the Western Hemisphere, since the 15th century.

The naming of America is intertwined with the colonial history where the new world was named and often reshaped by Europeans. The native people did not have the concept of countries, continents, or planets and were brought these ideas by the Spanish explorers after their conquest. This leads to a complex interplay of naming, history, and identity that continues to shape our understanding of the continent today.

Conclusion

The naming of America is a testament to the creativity and historical context of the time. It serves as a reminder of the complex process of exploration, naming, and reshaping the world based on European perspectives. While we now understand the broader implications of this naming decision, it remains a fascinating and integral part of American history.

Further Reading

Reference:
- Der Mann der Amerika seinen Namen gab: Amerigo Vespucci
Director: Eike Schmitz
Writer: Susanne Utzt
Narrator: Sascha Rotermund
Language: German
Subtitles: German
Available on the ZDF website until 2033 - ZDF