<p>Dumb question I know. BTW this is un-AP related, in fact I already took APUSH but I know my question could get answered it. Ok so if I’m not mistaken Columbus landed on San Salvador not in the U.S. Is it that we credit Columbus for finding north america or the united states of america. I know this is so silly but please I am desperate to find an answer.</p>
<p>I know I’m not answering your question, but I looked at the thread to see if you were perhaps questioning what “discover” meant, at least in this context. That wouldn’t be silly at all.</p>
<p>Columbus “found” the Americas. However, the Vikings came a couple centuries earlier and settled in Newfoundland so technically, the Vikings found the Americas.</p>
<p>It’s named for Amerigo Vespucci (sp?), who was technically the first “explorer” to find America.</p>
<p>The native Americans found it first!</p>
<p>Vespucci was a cartographer (map maker) who it was named after. don’t believe he was the one to find it.</p>
<p>A lot of you people are mixing up the facts here.</p>
<p>America is indeed named after Amerigo Vespucci. A cartographer named Martin Waldseemüller labeled the ‘unknown continent’ on his map America after Amerigo Vespucci as Vespucci was the one known for ‘discovering’ it. Later, people would realize Columbus technically discovered the Americas first.</p>
<p>As to who really discovered America, I suggest you guys go read the book 1492.</p>
<p>The question is inherently flawed.</p>
<p>the vikings? (well, they only made it as far as newfoundland or nova scotia – can’t remember.)</p>
<p>yes, the questions if flawed</p>
<p>America was first “discovered” by a group of nomads crossing the Bering land bridge about 15,000 to 30,000 years ago from Asia. </p>
<p>The second group of people who “discovered” America were probably Polynesians who engaged in trade with the South Americans around 1600 years ago.</p>
<p>By the time the Vikings and Columbus showed up, there were people all over the place.</p>
<p>I agree with galoisien that the question is flawed.</p>
<p>“The first immigrants are Asians”
Quoted from a history book.</p>