The Americas refers to any grouping of South America, Latin America, Central America, and North America.
However the slang in New American Paradigm refers to the U.S.A.
The U.S.A. has had hegemonic power for many decades now, and as a cultural export, a political power, a leader in the global economy, and powerful force in the ecosystem, the understanding, culture, and frameworks in the United States are of the utmost importance.
In a recent talk at Middlebury College in Vermont, the Dalai Llama said that the world is changing and that the U.S.A. needs to “catch up”. This generally reflects my personal view.
Aljazeera recently published some wonderful graphics relating to a topic I find important: the Kyoto Protocol.
Aljazeera Infographic
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2012/11/20121118131411899744.html