Crossword Genius

A crime disturbed a whole continent (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

america

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'whole continent' is the definition.
'america' can be an answer for 'continent' (the Americas can be considered as one continent). I am not certain of the 'whole' bit.

'a crime disturbed a' is the wordplay.
'disturbed' indicates anagramming the letters (the order of letters is disturbed).
'crime' anagrammed gives 'meric'.
'a'+'meric'+'a'='AMERICA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for america that I've seen before include "huge landmass" , "World power" , "Song title shared by Sondheim-Bernstein and Paul Simon among others" , "Care and aim badly for the continent" , "United States" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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