Use of "estadounidense" as North American

Question

The reading exercise translates estadounidense as North American. Is this usage more common in Spain? I thought estadounidense meant American, and norteamericano = North American.

Answer

Hola Janet
Both estadounidense and norteamericano/-a are used for North American. I don't think there is one that is used a lot more than the other. 
We don't use "americano/-a" because that would refer to all American people including Central and South America - but the narrator here is saying that she is from the U.S.A.
Saludos
Inma

Answer

Thanks for your explanation. I have to say, it's still a puzzle to me. I am canadiense, and would not identify myself as estadounidense, which sounds like someone from the Estados Unidos. Perhaps here the distinction is more specific (I wouldn't say I'm North American or American, just the same way -- I'm guessing -- that people from Spain wouldn't identify themselves as European. A discussion for another time and place!)