Interestingly enough, when I lived in Costa Rica, I could not refer to myslef as an American as many throughout Latin America also consider themselves "American".

I found it interesting the comment about the basis of the US system being based on the Iroquis Nation's system. In New York state, we have always included the study of the Iroquois nation within the primary and middle school curriculum (at least for the last 50 years). But this was not a point that was (or even is currently) addressed in Social Studies classes (I asked my kids). While the Iroquois are recognized as important forces in New York state history, government structure is not one area in which they have been given credit.