American (word) facts for kids
The word American is used in different ways. Most often, it means someone or something from the United States.
But it can also mean a person or thing from any country in the Americas. This includes North America, Central America, and South America. Even though islands in the Caribbean Sea are close, people usually don't call them 'American' in English.
Who Are Native Americans?
A Native American is someone whose family mostly comes from the people who lived in the Americas before Europeans arrived. Native Americans are also known as First Nations or Indians.
What Languages Do Americans Speak?
There is no single "American" language. Many important languages are spoken across the Americas. These include English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Some people still speak Native American languages. Quechua is the largest of these languages.
Images for kids
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America is named after Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.
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British map of America in 1744.
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Washington's Farewell Address (1796).
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See also
In Spanish: Uso de la palabra americano para niños
