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Okay, so I do have a background in linguistics - but still don't have a great answer for this question!

The best I can describe is that the term "Northern America" is a noun and can be used alone as such. "North America" as well is a noun and can be used alone. But, if you make "North America" "North AmericaN", you're turning into an adjective and would expect there to be a following noun that it modifies, though you can use the term alone and it's still understood that you're describing something that is from North America. Is that clear as mud? I'll post this question on a linguistics forum though and see what comes out - it's been a long time since I've done this stuff day to day!

As far as common usage, I think 99% of us (U.S. and Canadian citizens) would say "North American", not "Northern America".

Here's one reply from the linguistics forum:

"I would say Eastern Canada and Northern Canada, but North American. But I don't know why." His profile said he's a graduate assistant teacher.

I'll keep posting the responses, if any more come in.

KaimiK, thanks for your efforts, this is quite interesting.

Another ling forum response:

"I guess that would be because of how frequent the expression "North America" has become, as opposed to "Eastern Canada", whereby you are referring to a specific part of Canada. "North America" seems to be a place per se."

Still looking as though there isn't a "correct" grammatical answer. Interesting though - well for me anyway!

KaimiK wrote: The best I can describe is that the term "Northern America" is a noun and can be used alone as such. "North America" as well is a noun and can be used alone. But, if you make "North America" "North AmericaN", you're turning into an adjective and would expect there to be a following noun that it modifies.

Kelsey,

This seems clear to me. According to your reasoning, it should be North American Tour, with tour being the noun that modifies the adjective, American. Is that correct, or did I fail the test?

Best regards,
Mary

Ooops, sorry - this is about Canada, so North Canadian Leg.

It is definitely Eastern Canada.
HOWEVER, fellow Canadians, when you say the Maritimes, you are excluding Newfoundland and Labrador. You have to say "the Atlantic Provinces" if you want to include us, ( as, joyfully, Leonard did, just about a year ago to the day!) Or we can stand alone, as we are wont to do!