Amérique

Amérique is the French name for the Americas, the combined landmasses of North and South America and their islands and territories. The term encompasses a mosaic of nations, peoples, and environments, ranging from Arctic Canada to the southern tip of Chile and Argentina.

The name America originates with the explorer Amerigo Vespucci; the Latin form Americus was used in early maps, and the 1507 Waldseemüller map popularized the designation America for the continents. In French, Amérique adopted a similar lineage.

Geography: The Americas cover roughly 42 million square kilometers. They contain major mountain systems such as the Rockies, Appalachians, and Andes, and major river basins including the Amazon and the Mississippi. The climate spans arctic, temperate, and tropical zones, with vast biodiversity.

History: Indigenous civilizations flourished long before Europeans arrived. Starting in the 15th century, European powers established colonies, shaping language, law, and demography. Most nations in the Americas achieved independence in the 18th and 19th centuries, followed by modernization and regional integration efforts.

People and culture: The region is linguistically and culturally diverse. Spanish and Portuguese are dominant in many countries, while English and French are common in others. Christianity is widespread, alongside Indigenous and Afro-descendant traditions that contribute to regional identity.

Politics and economy: The Americas include advanced economies and emerging markets. Regional cooperation operates through blocs such as USMCA and Mercosur, as well as the Organization of American States. Trade, resources, and migration continue to shape political and economic links across the region.