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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
WITHOUT diving for the atlas OR the internet, how many present day countries can you think of that were named after people?
I came up with 4 fairly quickly and one question mark (see below), but there must be more? Also thought of one from the recent past - don't think we need to go back into antiquity (Ceasaria?).
USA - Amerigo Vespucci
Bolivia - Simon Bolivar
Columbia - Christopher Columbus
The Philippines - King Philip of Spain
Question mark - Jordan?
Recent Past - Rhodesia - Cecil John Rhodes
stales
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addict
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addict
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Surely the American continent(s), and not the USA directly, were named for this Amerigo character; the US then taking its name from the continent.
Yes. I am anal-retentive, I know.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 11,613 |
Cecil John RhodesWhale oil.  Who the heck is/was he?. Obviously, geography is one of my many weak points. I can't think of any other countries named for people, but I can think of one named for a concept. (No points awarded for this one; it's too easy.) I wonder why there isn't a Cortesia, or a deGamaland...?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Going back to "people", do we have San Salvador? (Can't recall if that is the country of which El Salvador is the capital, or vice versa.)
San Marino? (I presume there was a saint?)
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
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Right, Keiva! No points, but...perhaps we could work out some other suitable reward? Edit: Keiva, you snuck one in whilst I was composing. Welcome to addiction. 
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Well, according to Helen I'm busily engaged in "research", so I'll be in the library for awhile.
PS to stales: I believe Caesaria was a city, not a country.
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old hand
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old hand
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Liberia, of course.
Wait a sec, I thought Liberia came from liberty, as in slaves going there for freedom. The capital, though, is Monrovia, named, of course, after James Monroe.
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Israel
Saudi Arabia (or?)
Jordan (does the "Hashemite Kingdom" count?)
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Joined: Nov 2000
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
At the end of the day, the USA takes its name from Sr. Vespucci - no matter how convoluted the reasons.
As to anal retention, may I recommend increasing your intake of water, fruit and fibre.
stales
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