The Genesis of a Name and the Shape of a Continent
The historical formation of the United States is a process defined by a unique combination of geographic discovery, diplomatic action, and the evolving self-perception of a new nation. The very names that define the country and the continent it inhabits are not arbitrary but are rooted in specific historical events and intellectual developments. A clear understanding of these origins is essential to deconstruct common misconceptions and establish a factual foundation for the nation's history.