A crime upsets a whole continent (7)

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' (I know that America is a continent). I am unsure of the 'whole' bit.

'a crime upsets a' is the wordplay.
'upsets' is an anagram indicator.
'crime' is an anagram of 'meric'.
'a'+'meric'+'a'='AMERICA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for america that I've seen before include "Take care and aim for the continent" , "Continent of the Western Hemisphere" , "huge landmass" , "Curious camera I take to the continent" , "The USA" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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