10 Countries You Didn't Know Were Named After Historical Figures
There are around 200 countries in the world, but have you ever wondered where they all got their names? Culture Trip brings you a list of 10 countries that are all named after well-known historic figures.
Colombia
Home to over 48 million people, Colombia was named after famous navigator and explorer Christopher Columbus. With support from the Spanish royal family, he sailed to the New World in 1492 with his ship Santa Maria. Some say that Columbus never visited the country named after him, others claim he set foot on Colombian soil on his third voyage.
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1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.The Philippines
This Southeast Asian country was named after a Spanish royal family member, King Philip II (Felipe II). So what does Spain have to do with the Philippines? When King Charles I of Spain sent Ferdinand Magellan to explore the world, he reached the shores of this country in 1521 and claimed the land for the Spanish monarch. Later, explorer Ruy López de Villalobos named the islands after King Charles II’s son, Phillip II.
Cook Islands
The country was named after famous English explorer Captain James Cook. Between 1773 and 1779, Cook visited the islands and named them the Hervey Island. However, in the early 1800s, Russian cartographer Adam Johann von Krusenstern published the Atlas de l’Océan Pacifique, and renamed the islands after Cook himself.
Seychelles
The great voyager Vasco de Gama was the first person to put Seychelles on the map, naming it and the surrounding landmasses the Admiral islands. In 1756, French Captain Corneille Nicholas Morphey arrived at the islands and officially declared them a French territory. He named them after Jean Moreau de Sechelles – a finance minister in France at the time.
Mauritius
The Dutch settled Mauritius in the 16th century and named it after Prince Maurits van Oranje. However, they weren’t in control for long – in 1715, the French East India Company claimed Mauritius for France, before finally being colonised by the British. The name given by the Dutch remained throughout the different periods of colonisation.
Bolivia
This Central South American country was named after famous independence fighter Simon Bolivar. He helped colonies in South America overthrow the Spanish rule in the region over a period of 16 years. In 1825, after the Bolivian War of Independence ended, Bolivia was named after its liberator. Bolivar even helped the new country draft its constitution.
Saudi Arabia
An Arab sovereign state in Western Asia, known as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is named after its Royal Family – the al-Sauds. In 1932, a new modern nation of Saudi Arabia was established by Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman al-Faisal al-Saud (often referred as Ibn Saud). He wanted to unite different parts of Arabian Peninsula into one country. Today the al-Saud family consists of about 25,000 members, 200 of which are princes. Due to the discovery of oil in 1938, Saudi Arabia is one of the richest countries in the world.
Marshall Islands
This tiny country consists of more than 1,200 islands and islets. In 1788, British Captain John Marshall was the first voyager to explore the region, while travelling on his ship, Scarborough, and helping to take prisoners from England to Australia.
Swaziland
Located between Mozambique and South Africa, Swaziland was named after its greatest king, Mswati II (also known as Mswazi). He not only has doubled the size of the country but also gave his name to this it, and was the monarch responsible for unifying the nation after a very long period of time. By the time he died, people had begun to call themselves ‘people of Mswazi’, or just Swazis.
Kiribati
A country in the Pacific Ocean consisting of 33 coral atolls, Kiribati is considered a paradise for many tourists, so no wonder that a country that became a wonderful escape for many travellers was named after one. British explorer and navigator Captain James Cook discovered the islands on his third voyage. After his discovery, settlers came to islands and renamed them the Gilbert Island in honour of British Captain Thomas Gilbert. Why is it then that the islands are known as known as ‘Kiribati’ and not as ‘Gilbert’? The answer is simple – the word Kiribati is the locals’ version of the word ‘Gilbert’.
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