New World

The New World is a name used for the western hemisphere. It specifically refers to the Americas. It can also refer to certain Atlantic and Pacific islands (like Bermuda) and sometimes Oceania. The name started in the early 16th century, shortly after America was colonized. The people of the European Middle Ages thought the world was only Africa, Asia, and Europe. These continents are called the Old World. The Americas were also referred to as the "fourth part of the world".[1]

New World showing the Americas and Oceania. The Old World is Africa, Asia, and Europe.

The continent (North America and South America) was named America after Amerigo Vespucci.

The term New World is considered problematic. This is because it only presents the view of colonists. It does not consider the geographical complexities.[2]

References
  1. "Definition of NEW WORLD". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  2. "The Old World-New World Debate and the Columbian Exchange". Wondrium Daily. 31 January 2021


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.