The words America and USA have been time and again confused with each other and often used interchangeably. These two terms have a completely different meaning which needs to be understood. They represent two different parts of the world. Let’s understand the difference between America and the USA.
Summary
America vs USA
The main difference between USA and America is that the United States of America or USA is used to refer to a federation of 50 States that have been United to form a separate country under one government and its regulations while America refers to a part of the world where many countries are included together.
The USA or the United States of America is a country located in the western hemisphere. It is also considered a part of the landmass that we know as America. Vaguely people often refer to the USA as America but the USA can be said to be a part of America and not used interchangeably with America.
America Is a part of the landmass that comprises North America, South America, Central America, and the nearby islands. America makes most of the part of the Western hemisphere and is also known as the new world. Large river basins, rainforests, chains of mountains, and Greenlands are all found in America.
Comparison Table Between USA and America
| Parameters of Comparison | America | USA |
| Description | America is a landmass that comprises North America, South America, and Central America. | The USA is a country that is a part of the American landmark. |
| Area | America comprises about 28% of the total land area. | The USA has the third-largest land area in the world. |
| Location | It is located in the western hemisphere. | The USA is a part of North America and is also located in the western hemisphere. |
| Other Names | America is popularly known as the New world. | The USA or US is known as the United States, or United States of America. |
| Basic Information | America is formed by a union of many countries. | The USA is a single country |
| Discovery | Christopher Columbus discovered America. | The USA was discovered by the English. |
What is USA?
The United States or the United States of America is a country located in the western hemisphere and is a part of North America. It is formed by the union of 50 States, one district, five UTs, 9 minor islands, and 326 Indian reservations. It ranks third in the world with respect to land area. It shares a land border with Canada on the North, and Mexico on the South along with maritime borders with Cuba, Russia, and other countries.
The capital of the United States is Washington D.C, New York is its financial capital and it is the third most populated country in the world. The United States is a presidential, federal constitutional republic that has three different branches of government. The US is the founding member of NATO, World Bank, UN, and IMF. It is a highly developed country forming a quarter of the total world GDP.
30% share of the total wealth of the world is held by the US, which is the largest share held by any country. The USA is also the leading military power and a leading cultural, scientific, and political force. The climate here varies from humid continental to humid subtropical.
What is America?
America is a landmass formed by a combination of North America, South America, and Central America. It is known as the New World and is located in the Western hemisphere. 28.4% of the total land area is occupied by America. American Cordillera, a long chain of mountains, dominates the topography of America.
Kaffeklubben island forms the northernmost point of America and the Southern Thule forms the southernmost point of America. America is drained by several large river basins. The Mississippi-Missouri River, which drains 31 states of America, is the fourth-longest and the tenth most powerful river in the world.
The three largest cities in America are Mexico City, New York City, and Sao Paulo. There are various languages spoken by the natives and migrated population in America, of which Spanish is the most widely spoken. Numerous multinational organizations are found in America some of which include an association of Caribbean states, alliance for progress, Contador group, Pacific alliance, Rio group, etc.
Main Difference Between USA and America
- The land area of America is much larger than the land area of the USA.
- The USA is a country while America is formed by a group of many countries.
- America is also known as the new world while the USA is also known as the United States of America.
- America is the complete landmass located in the western hemisphere, while the USA is a small part of this landmass.
- America was discovered before the USA.
- America comprises around 28% of the total land area of the world while the USA has the third largest land area of the world.
Conclusion
America and the United States of America are two distinct terms and cannot be used interchangeably. There is a considerable amount of difference between the two. America has a larger land area, a completely different government, and is known as the new world.
America is formed by the combination of North America, South America, and Central America while the USA is a small part of North America. The USA is a country formed by a combination of 50 different states while America is formed by a union of different countries. America was discovered way before the discovery of the USA.