America

In the early days of European exploration, artists often depicted the continents of the world as women. Europe was the queen, Asia was the exotic princess, Africa was the slave, and America was the wild child. America was often depicted with a parrot on her shoulder, a feather crown on her head, and a cornucopia overflowing with fruits and vegetables. She was often accompanied by a caiman or alligator, which were seen as exotic and dangerous creatures. This depiction of America as a wild and untamed land persisted well into the 19th century, when European contact with Native Americans became more common. As new nations were formed in the Americas, they began to adopt their own national personifications.