Did You Know? Famous Locations with Surprising Old Names
Cities, states, and countries have changed their names many times over history. Names can change for reasons like gaining independence, political shifts, simplifying or explaining better, or celebrating a culture.
Here are some specific examples of changed names:
- Cities have undergone name changes over time: Constantinople became Istanbul, Peking became Beijing, Bombay became Mumbai, Madras became Chennai, Calcutta became Kolkata, and Leningrad became St. Petersburg.
- Countries and states have also had name alterations: Ceylon became Sri Lanka, Burma became Myanmar, the Dutch East Indies became Indonesia, Upper Volta became Burkina Faso, and Rhodesia became Zimbabwe.
- Some name changes involved entire nations: Dutch Guiana transitioned to Suriname, the Dutch East Indies shifted to Indonesia, Upper Volta transformed into Burkina Faso, and Rhodesia replaced Zimbabwe.
Here is a List of important Cities, States & Countries with old and new names: This geography general knowledge is very important for various competitive examinations, especially government jobs.
Dear reader, please remember these important cities, states, and countries that have changed their name.
Changed names of cities states and countries
Old Name | New Name |
---|---|
Abyssinia | Ethiopia |
Angora | Ankara |
Basutoland | Lesotho |
Batavia | Jakarta |
Bechaunaland | Botswana |
British Guiana | Guyana |
Burma | Myanmar |
Cape Canaveral | Cape Kennedy |
Ceylon | Sri Lanka |
Christina | Oslo |
Congo | Zaire |
Constantinople | Istanbul |
Dutch East Indies | Indonesia |
East Timor | Loro Sae |
Formosa | Taiwan |
Gold Coast | Ghana |
Holland | Netherlands |
Kampuchea | Cambodia |
Madagascar | Malagasy |
Malaya | Malaysia |
Mesopotamia | Iraq |
Nippon | Japan |
Northern Rhodesia | Zambia |
Nayasaland | Malawi |
Peking | Beijing |
Persia | Iran |
Rhodesia | Zimbabwe |
Saigon | Ho Chi Minh City |
Sandwich Wands | Hawaiian Island |
Siam | Thailand |
South West Africa | Namibia |
Tanganyika and Zanzibar | Tanzania |
Decca | Dhaka |