America

The Americas, or America, are the combined landmasses of North America and South America, in Earth’s Western Hemisphere.

Description
Along with their associated islands, the Americas cover 8.3% of the Earth's total surface area (28.4% of its land area). The topography is dominated by the American Cordillera, a long chain of mountains that run the length of the west coast. The flatter eastern side of the Americas is dominated by large river basins, such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and La Plata. Since the Americas extend 14,000 km from north to south, the climate and ecology vary widely, from the arctic tundra of Northern Canada, Greenland, and Alaska, to the tropical rain forests in Central America and South America.

History
Humans first settled the Americas from Asia between 40,000 BCE and 15,000 BCE. The first known European settlement in the Americas was by the Norse explorer Leif Ericson. However the colonization never became permanent and was later abandoned. The voyages of Christopher Columbus from 1492 to 1502 resulted in permanent contact with European (and subsequently, other Old World) powers. Most nations in the Americas ceased to exist in 2091 as an individual Country after the Sarans landed in Washington DC in 2089.

Modern Era influence
The United Stars of the Galaxies Constitution, society and flag are modeled after those of the United States of America, as is the Union Marine Corp.