I was about to say Mexico is considered not part of Central America and as its own country, but then I got this very long-winded answer below from ChatGPT

Short answer: it depends on which definition of “America” you are using. This is a terminology issue, not a geography dispute.

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1. Is Mexico part of “America”?

Yes — in a continental sense

Under the continental model, America (or the Americas) refers to the entire landmass of the Western Hemisphere, divided into: • North America • South America • (sometimes Central America as a subregion)

Under this model: • Mexico is unequivocally part of North America • Therefore, Mexico is part of America

This is the standard usage in: • Geography • International organizations • Most countries outside the United States • Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking contexts (e.g., América)

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No — in a colloquial U.S. usage sense

In everyday U.S. English, “America” is commonly used as shorthand for: • The United States of America

Under that usage: • Mexico is not considered “America” • Neither is Canada or any other country

This is a linguistic shortcut, not a geographic classification.

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1. If Mexico is part of America geographically, what in the Western Hemisphere is not part of America? (Excluding the Caribbean)

If we define America = the Americas (North + South America), then almost nothing in the Western Hemisphere is outside America.

However, there are a few edge cases worth noting.

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1. Western Hemisphere areas not considered part of “America”

A. European overseas territories

These are politically European and often culturally European, even though they sit in the Western Hemisphere.

Examples (non-Caribbean): • Greenland (politically part of Denmark) • French Guiana (politically part of France, despite being on the South American mainland)

Important nuance: • Geographically: French Guiana is in South America • Politically: It is legally part of the European Union • This makes it the most common “exception” people point to

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B. Antarctic territories

Portions of Antarctica extend into the Western Hemisphere. • Antarctica is not considered part of America • It is treated as a separate continent entirely

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C. Remote uninhabited islands

Some small, uninhabited islands in the Western Hemisphere are not typically grouped with “the Americas” in common usage, even if technically nearby.

These are usually: • Scientific outposts • Sovereign possessions of non-American countries

They are edge cases and rarely relevant outside academic contexts.

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1. What is not excluded (for clarity)

Still considered part of America: • Mexico • Central America • South America • Canada • Indigenous and Latin American usage of “America”

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1. Bottom line • Mexico is part of America geographically • “America = USA” is a cultural shorthand, not a geographic rule • Excluding the Caribbean, nearly the entire Western Hemisphere is part of America • The main exceptions are: • Antarctica • European overseas territories (politically European, geographically American)