How many
do you know?

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Countries are typically named for (or derive names from) ethnic groups, famous individuals,  geographical locations, and geological features.

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Argentina: Silver

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Australia: Southern land

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Austria: Land of the east

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Bahamas: Shallow sea

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Bermuda: Captain Bermudez

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Bolivia: Simon Bolivar

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Botswana: Tswana ethnic people

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Brazil: Brazilwood tree

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Bulgaria: Land of the Bulgars

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Canada: Village (in Iroquian)

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China: China emperor Qin

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Columbia: Christopher Columbus

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Congo: Kongo kingdom

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Costa Rica: Rich coast

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Cook Islands: Captain James Cook

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Cyprus: Copper

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Ecuador: Equator

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Eritrea: Red sea

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Guatamala: Land of many trees

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Guinea: Women

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Guyana: Land of many waters

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Haiti: Land of mountains

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Hungary: Ten arrows

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Japan: Land of the rising sun

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Kenya: White mountain

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Kyrgyzstan: Land of forty tribes

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Liberia: Free

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Liechtenstein: Light (brilliant) stone

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Luxembourg: Little castle

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Madagascar: Earth's end

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Mexico: Mexica (an Aztec group)

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Micronesia: Small islands

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Nepal: Cattle herders

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Netherlands: Lowlands

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Holland: Wooded land

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Norway: Northern way

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Philippines: King Phillip II of Spain

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Polynesia: Many islands

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Romania: Realm of the Romans

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Sierra Leone: Lion mountains

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Singapore: Lion city

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Sri Lanka: Beautiful land

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Sudan: Land of the blacks

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Thailand: Land of the free

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Venezuela: Little Venice

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Zimbabwe: Stone houses

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Click

How to pronounce country names

Renamed travel destinations

English vs foreign spellings

for more pointers

Hillman Wonders site map

World's Top 100 Wonders

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