Countries usually get their name from a native tribe, geographical feature or location, or a historical event. Some names are a mouthful like ‘Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapiki-maungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitnatahu’, which is the name of a hill in New Zealand. Some countries’ names are quite a mouthful. Acronyms often used to save on space and time.
The countries may surprise you as they have two names; the common name and the longest official name. The long names highlight the countries’ governance and sovereignty. For instance, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a kingdom ruled by the monarch. While the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe holds elections and is headed by a president.
Before this, Libya has the longest name, but in Arabic. It went by the name ‘Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma’. But which country has the longest name in the English alphabet?
The UK, which is short for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the longest country name, with 56 characters. It is a sovereign country on the northwestern coast of Europe. It comprises the island of Great Britain and the northernmost region of the island of Ireland. Although the UK is a state, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are also considered as countries. Wales, England, and Scotland are collectively referred to as Great Britain. The word Britain is often used informally to refer to the United Kingdom.
The Gilbert Islands, now Kiribati has the second-longest official name; Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati which has 46 characters. After it gained independence in 1979, the country changed its name from the Gilbert Islands to Kiribati. The country comprises several atolls and reef islands in the Pacific Ocean, covering an area of approximately 498 km sq.
Third place goes to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. This is the most stable and democratic state in Africa. Popularly known as Sao Tome, it has the third-longest name with 45 characters. The island country is located in the Gulf of Guinea and comprises two major islands namely Sao Tome and Principe, which are approximately 140km apart. The two islands situated off the northwestern coast of Gabon.
Other countries such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have significantly long names that are often shortened as North Korea, Ethiopia, and Macedonia respectively.
Source: World Atlas
