In Mexico, nobody takes “norteamericano” to include them. At times, you’ll hear people using the term to include Mexico either as a joke or when talking about the country’s investment rating. I’ve been to Spain several times, and the same is true there, even if as you say Mexico is technically in North America.

“Estadounidense” is used, but some (only some) consider it pedantic. I use it all the time, but I have been teased about it.

Besides which, Mexico is also officially a group of “estados unidos,” as in the Estados Unidos Mexicanos.

In general, though, nobody really cares about any of this, which I think might hold some lessons for parts of the Old World.

http://hdtd.typepad.com/hdtd/2008/03/sabidura-del-oc.html

and

http://hdtd.typepad.com/hdtd/2008/04/mas-sabidura-de.html

As for “norteamericano,” its use is waning. Frex, the Mexican president regularly uses “americano” in public appearances and nobody corrects him.

On the other hand, the country to the north is always referred to as “Estados Unidos,” no definite article necessary. That’s not a grammatical quirk of Spanish, but a Mexican thing: “I’m going to United States, United States is north of here, Pasadena is in United States?”

I’m sure there’s a sociological message there, but I’ll be damned if I know what it is.

And the point is that the number of continents is one of those funny, socially constructed things.

I’ll have to cross-check to make sure my memory hasn’t flaked, but I seem to remember being told by a German that there are five continents: America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. As I recall, my answer was well what about Antarctica. And the reply was, well what about Antarctica?

I’m willing to grant that North and South America are essentially one land mass. But then: Eurasia. Or is there an argument for separating those two that I’m missing? (And that doesn’t apply similarly to, say, India?)

(Parenthetically, something I’m sure you’re better placed than I am to estimate is how generally Norteamericano (or whatever the correct spelling is) is used in Spanish…)

Everywhere south of the Rio Bravo, “America” refers to the entire continent, north and south both. That’s the aversion Alex was making, I’m sure. Right, Alex?

So there’s no nit to pick. Unless you want to question the whole idea of the “continent.” Which is fine with me. But kind of pointless.

Kind of like Argentine HST project.

http://hdtd.typepad.com/hdtd/2008/05/observatorio-ar.html

Counterarguments are desired.