Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Bert Wu]

Dear teacher:

Central America means a continent which includes many countries such as Panama and Honduras or just an area of the USA?
Could you tell me how can we distinguish them and express them in English?

Thanks!
Bert Wu

[dragn]

Hi Bert,

Welcome to the Help Center!

Central America is frequently defined as being comprised of the countries Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama, and Belize; however, some references may not include Panama and Belize.

It is not a continent. Those would be North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and Antarctica. Nor is it part of the United States.

Now, just to be clear. If in a conversation about the United States someone used the phrase central America, and it was obvious that the speaker was only referring to the United States, then you would have to interpret that as the central region of America, more commonly referred to as the Midwest (don't ask me why).

Hope this helps.

Greg

[Bert Wu]

Oh, I see.
Thank you very much!!!

Bert Wu