The Americas are home to some 859 million people, 495 million of whom live in North America and 352 million in South America. Two of the world's five most populous countries, the USA and Brazil, are to be found there, whilst Mexico has the 11th highest population in the world. Since its discovery by Europeans the American population has changed drastically. The Indigenous Amerindians, Inuit, and Aleuts, have been joined by Europeans, Africans and Asians, and from this cosmopolitan environment the modern Americans have arisen. This once isolated landmass has become a melting pot for... Show more The Americas are home to some 859 million people, 495 million of whom live in North America and 352 million in South America. Two of the world's five most populous countries, the USA and Brazil, are to be found there, whilst Mexico has the 11th highest population in the world. Since its discovery by Europeans the American population has changed drastically. The Indigenous Amerindians, Inuit, and Aleuts, have been joined by Europeans, Africans and Asians, and from this cosmopolitan environment the modern Americans have arisen. This once isolated landmass has become a melting pot for different cultures which has resulted in the birth of new countries. There are thirty five sovereign states to be found in the Americas. There are also several territories, departments and countries belonging to Britain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark and the USA. The largest country in the New World is Canada which covers an area of 3.9 million square miles (10 million square km), whilst the smallest territory is Navassa Island, an uninhabited territory of the USA which covers only 2 square miles (5.4 square km). The most populous country in the Americas is the USA with an estimated 319 million inhabitants, whilst the lowest population of an inhabited territory is found in the British territory of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands - home to just 30 people. Many languages are spoken in the Americas. Some are derived from European languages, such as American English or Spanish, whilst others are spoken by the indigenous peoples, or are a mixture of influences, like the Creoles. The most widespread language in South America is Spanish, although the most populous country there, Brazil, speaks Portuguese. In North America English is more common, though Spanish comes very close behind. The nature of the American population brings with it huge variety. The majority of Americans are descended from historically recent foreign immigrants, who brought their own languages to their new homes. There are known to be more than 300 languages spoken in the USA, though mostly by relatively small groups of people. Show less
The Americas are home to some 859 million people, 495 million of whom live in North America and 352 million in South America. Two of the world's five most populous countries, the USA and Brazil, are to be found there, whilst Mexico has the 11th highest population in the world.
Since its discovery by Europeans the American population has changed drastically. The Indigenous Amerindians, Inuit, and Aleuts, have been joined by Europeans, Africans and Asians, and from this cosmopolitan environment the modern Americans have arisen.
This once isolated landmass has become a melting pot for different cultures which has resulted in the birth of new countries.
There are thirty five sovereign states to be found in the Americas. There are also several territories, departments and countries belonging to Britain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark and the USA. The largest country in the New World is Canada which covers an area of 3.9 million square miles (10 million square km), whilst the smallest territory is Navassa Island, an uninhabited territory of the USA which covers only 2 square miles (5.4 square km).
The most populous country in the Americas is the USA with an estimated 319 million inhabitants, whilst the lowest population of an inhabited territory is found in the British territory of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands - home to just 30 people.
Many languages are spoken in the Americas. Some are derived from European languages, such as American English or Spanish, whilst others are spoken by the indigenous peoples, or are a mixture of influences, like the Creoles.
The most widespread language in South America is Spanish, although the most populous country there, Brazil, speaks Portuguese. In North America English is more common, though Spanish comes very close behind.
The nature of the American population brings with it huge variety. The majority of Americans are descended from historically recent foreign immigrants, who brought their own languages to their new homes. There are known to be more than 300 languages spoken in the USA, though mostly by relatively small groups of people.
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