In between the weeks
As usual, my two weeks between trips have been quite full. During the cab ride back to the Palacio on Friday night, I called my friend Olga. Her parents were in town, and they and 3 other friends were out at the Signature Room. I met them there from 9:00 PM until 1:00 or so.
Among many topics, we discussed the number of continents in the world. It was interesting how convinced I was that there are seven, and how convinced the six latin americans sitting with me were that there are five. After all, the seven continents are just human ways to divide the world, based somewhat on geological facts.
It's the division that we could not agree on. Was there one America? Or, as I was taught, two. If there is a North America and a South America, then what about Central America? (I was discussing this with 2 Panamanians, 2 Costa Ricans, 1 Guatemalan, and a Columbian). What about the definition of an American? Was I the only American at this table, or is an American anyone born between Tierra del Fuego and Nunavut?
Obviously, the answers depend largely on perspective and worldview. I was grateful to see the world from a more Southern location, if only for a night.
posted by Equipo @ 9:18 p. m.
2 Comments:
Geology dictates our count of the continents more than language or perspective. North and South America are on two different tectonic plates. Central America is part of North America. The case for Europe and Asia being different continents is quite convincing, too.
You may not be able to win this argument now, but just wait 100 million years and see who's right. Your two Panamanian friends might not even have a country in as little as 50 years if polar ice continues to melt.
While I appreciate what you're saying, I think the question we should be asking is "What are they teaching their children in Latin America?" Hard science and ambiguous science like philosophy and cultural studies are complimentary in my opinion, not exclusive. A well-rounded person should have a grasp of both and be able to deal with both.
As for the question of who can be called American, I would direct your attention to the following: United States of America. How do you personalize that in any other way? United Statesan? USAan? I would respond that all people across both continents may call themselves American. But only the USA has America in it's name, so we have the best case for claiming it as a national identifier.
By this time, I would be heading for the exit since the six insulted Latinos would want to hurt me.
I did further research to find out that the seven major tectonic plates are the: North American, South American, Pacific, African, Antarctican, Australian, and the Eurasian. And Central America, along with the Carribean, falls on a minor plate, the Caribbean Plate. So, it seems the case for six continents has some merit, but I'll go with the National Geographic Society as the final authority and choose 7 as my number. (To see a map, refer to: http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eastern/plates.html )
As for being called Americans, I agree with you. If there is arrogance involved with contemporary U.S. citizens using "American" to describe themselves, then we should blame our forefathers who gave us no English alternative to describe our nationality.
In any case, it is interesting to observe how differently we are taught around the world.
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