America as a Continent: A Historical Overview of Its Countries

America, often referred to as the "New World," is a vast continent that encompasses North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. This article explores the rich and diverse histories of the 35 sovereign countries across these regions.

North America

1. Canada

• Indigenous Peoples: Diverse Indigenous nations inhabited the land long before European contact.
• Colonization: Jacques Cartier claimed Canada for France in the 1530s, and British control began in the 1760s.
• Confederation: Canada became a dominion in 1867, uniting Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
• Modern Era: Gained full legislative independence with the Statute of Westminster in 1931 and patriated its constitution in 1982.

2. United States

• Indigenous Peoples: Various tribes lived in the region before European colonization.
• Colonization: The English established Jamestown in 1607; the Thirteen Colonies developed throughout the 1600s and 1700s.
• Independence: Declared independence from Britain in 1776, leading to the Revolutionary War.
• Expansion and Civil War: Manifest Destiny spurred westward expansion; the Civil War (1861-1865) abolished slavery.
• 20th Century: Emerged as a global superpower post-WWII and experienced social change during the Civil Rights Movement.

3. Mexico

• Aztec Empire: A powerful civilization that existed before Spanish arrival.
• Spanish Conquest: Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztecs in 1521, initiating Spanish colonization.
• Independence: Mexico gained independence in 1821 after a prolonged war against Spain.
• Revolution: The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) sought land reforms and social justice.

Central America

4. Belize

• Maya Civilization: Home to ancient Mayan cities like Caracol.
• Colonial Era: Became a British colony known as British Honduras in the 19th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1981.

5. Costa Rica

• Spanish Colonization: Established in the early 16th century as part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala.
• Independence: Became independent in 1821, part of the Mexican Empire briefly.
• Democratic Stability: Abolished its army in 1949 and has maintained stable democracy since.

6. El Salvador

• Indigenous Cultures: Inhabited by Pipil and Lenca tribes before European contact.
• Spanish Conquest: Conquered in the 16th century and became part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala.
• Civil War: A civil war from 1980 to 1992 resulted in significant social changes.

7. Guatemala

• Maya Civilization: A center of ancient Maya culture.
• Spanish Conquest: Conquered in the 1520s and became part of the Spanish Empire.
• Civil War: A 36-year civil war ended in 1996, with lasting impacts on society.

8. Honduras

• Indigenous Civilizations: Home to various indigenous groups.
• Spanish Rule: Conquered in the early 16th century; part of the Spanish Empire.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1821; has faced political instability since.

9. Nicaragua

• Indigenous Peoples: Inhabited by various indigenous tribes before European arrival.
• Spanish Colonization: Established as a Spanish colony in the early 16th century.
• Political Turmoil: Experienced revolutions and civil wars, notably in the 1980s.

10. Panama

• Indigenous Cultures: Home to various indigenous groups like the Ngäbe and Buglé.
• Spanish Rule: Colonized in the 16th century.
• Separation from Colombia: Separated in 1903 with U.S. support; the Panama Canal opened in 1914.

South America

11. Argentina

• Indigenous Cultures: Inhabited by diverse indigenous groups.
• Spanish Colonization: Buenos Aires was founded in 1536 and again in 1580.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1816 after a series of revolutionary movements.
• 20th Century: Experienced military coups and economic instability, returning to democracy in 1983.

12. Bolivia

• Indigenous Empires: Home to ancient cultures, including the Tiwanaku civilization.
• Spanish Conquest: Conquered by Spanish forces in the 16th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1825, named after Simón Bolívar.
• Modern Era: Faced political instability and social movements concerning indigenous rights.

13. Brazil

• Indigenous Peoples: Diverse tribes inhabited the region before European contact.
• Portuguese Colonization: Claimed by Portugal in 1500; became a major sugar and coffee producer.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1822, transitioning from an empire to a republic in 1889.
• 20th Century: Experienced military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985, followed by democratic restoration.

14. Chile

• Indigenous Cultures: Home to the Mapuche and other indigenous groups.
• Spanish Conquest: Conquered in the 16th century; became part of the Spanish Empire.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1818 after a series of battles.
• Pinochet Era: A military coup in 1973 led to a dictatorship until 1990.

15. Colombia

• Indigenous Societies: Various indigenous cultures existed before European arrival.
• Spanish Conquest: Established as part of the Spanish Empire in the 16th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1819 as part of Gran Colombia; became a republic in 1903.
• Modern Challenges: Faced civil conflict and drug-related violence, with ongoing peace processes.

16. Ecuador

• Inca Empire: Part of the Inca Empire before Spanish conquest.
• Spanish Rule: Became a Spanish colony in the 16th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1822; part of Gran Colombia until 1830.
• Political Instability: Experienced periods of political turmoil and economic challenges.

17. Guyana

• Indigenous Peoples: Home to several indigenous tribes before European arrival.
• Colonial History: Colonized by the Dutch, then the British; became British Guiana.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1966, transitioning to a republic in 1970.

18. Paraguay

• Indigenous Tribes: Home to various indigenous groups before Spanish colonization.
• Spanish Colonization: Established as a Spanish colony in the 16th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1811; experienced the devastating Paraguayan War (1864-1870).
• Modern Era: Faced political instability but has a growing economy.

19. Peru

• Inca Empire: Center of the Inca Empire, known for its advanced civilization.
• Spanish Conquest: Conquered by Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s.
• Independence: Achieved independence in 1821; faced political turmoil in subsequent years.
• Recent History: Experienced economic growth and political changes in the late 20th and 21st centuries.

20. Suriname

• Indigenous Cultures: Inhabited by various indigenous tribes before European colonization.
• Colonial Rule: Colonized by the Dutch in the 17th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1975; has a multicultural society with significant indigenous and Creole populations.

21. Uruguay

• Indigenous Tribes: Home to various indigenous groups before Spanish colonization.
• Spanish Colonization: Established as a Spanish colony in the 18th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1825; known for its progressive social policies in the 20th century.

22. Venezuela

• Indigenous Cultures: Inhabited by indigenous groups such as the Wayuu.
• Spanish Conquest: Colonized in the 16th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1821, becoming part of Gran Colombia.
• Modern Challenges: Facing economic and political crises in recent years.

Caribbean

23. Antigua and Barbuda

• Indigenous Peoples: Inhabited by the Arawak and Carib peoples before European arrival.
• Colonial Era: Colonized by the British in the 17th century.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1981.

24. Bahamas

• Indigenous Cultures: Originally inhabited by the Lucayan Taíno people.
• European Discovery: Christopher Columbus landed in 1492, marking the beginning of European interest.
• British Colonization: Became a British colony in the 17th century.
• Independence: Achieved independence in 1973.

25. Barbados

• Indigenous Peoples: Inhabited by the Arawak and Carib tribes.
• Colonization: Settled by the English in 1627.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1966; remains a member of the Commonwealth.

26. Cuba

• Indigenous Cultures: Home to the Taíno and Ciboney peoples.
• Spanish Rule: Colonized by Spain in 1492; became a key sugar producer.
• Independence: Gained independence from Spain in 1898, followed by a period of U.S. intervention.
• Revolution: The Cuban Revolution in 1959 established a socialist state under Fidel Castro.

27. Dominica

• Indigenous Peoples: Inhabited by the Kalinago (Caribs).
• Colonization: Colonized by the French in the 18th century, later ceded to the British.
• Independence: Achieved independence in 1978.

28. Dominican Republic

• Indigenous Cultures: Initially inhabited by the Taíno people.
• Spanish Colonization: First European settlement in the Americas; Santo Domingo founded in 1496.
• Independence: Gained independence from Haiti in 1844 and later from Spain in 1865.

29. Grenada

• Indigenous Peoples: Originally inhabited by the Arawaks and Caribs.
• Colonial History: Colonized by the French in the 17th century, later ceded to the British.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1974; experienced U.S. intervention in 1983.

30. Haiti

• Indigenous Peoples: Home to the Taíno before European contact.
• Colonial Rule: Became a French colony known for its sugar plantations.
• Independence: The first successful slave revolt led to independence in 1804, establishing the first black republic.
• Modern Challenges: Faces ongoing political instability and economic difficulties.

31. Jamaica

• Indigenous Cultures: Inhabited by the Taíno and Arawak peoples.
• Colonization: Colonized by the Spanish in 1494 and later taken by the British in 1655.
• Independence: Achieved independence in 1962.

32. Saint Kitts and Nevis

• Indigenous Peoples: Inhabited by the Kalinago before European contact.
• Colonization: The first British colony in the Caribbean, established in 1623.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1983.

33. Saint Lucia

• Indigenous Peoples: Initially inhabited by the Arawak and Carib peoples.
• Colonial History: Colonized by both the French and British; changed hands multiple times.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1979.

34. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Indigenous Cultures: Inhabited by the Kalinago and later the Garifuna.
• Colonial History: Colonized by the French and British; changed hands frequently.
• Independence: Achieved independence in 1979.

35. Trinidad and Tobago

• Indigenous Peoples: Inhabited by the Arawak and Carib peoples before European contact.
• Colonization: Trinidad was claimed by Spain in 1498; Tobago changed hands between several colonial powers.
• Independence: Gained independence in 1962; became a republic in 1976.

America is a continent of immense diversity, rich history, and complex interconnections among its countries. From the ancient civilizations of the indigenous peoples to the impacts of European colonization and the struggles for independence, the historical narratives of each nation contribute to the continent's identity. Understanding these histories allows for a greater appreciation of the cultural, social, and political landscapes that shape America today. As the world continues to evolve, the countries of America remain vital players on the global stage, offering unique perspectives and opportunities for collaboration and growth.