Countries that have changed their names as Turkey becomes ‘Türkiye’
Persia to Iran
Persia changed its name to Iran before March 1935. The suggestion for the change is said to have come from the Iranian ambassador to Germany, who came under the influence of the Nazis.
Siam to Thailand
Siam's name was changed to Thailand in 1939 after it became a constitutional monarchy. It is pronounced as Prathet Thai in its local language, which means “the country of free people.”
Democratic Kampuchea to Cambodia
Cambodia has changed its name several times. Between 1953 and 1970, the country has renamed the Kingdom of Cambodia and then Khmer Republic till 1975. Under the communist rule from 1975 to 1979, it was referred to as Democratic Kampuchea.
Under the UN transition authority from 1989 to 1993, it became the State of Cambodia. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1993, it was renamed the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Burma to Myanmar
Originally called Burma, the ruling military junta changed its name to Myanmar in 1989, a year after thousands were killed in the suppression of a popular uprising.
The change was recognised by the United Nations, and by countries such as France and Japan, but not by the United States and the UK.
Holland to Netherlands
The Dutch government also overhauled its image by ditching the name Holland. As of 2020, business leaders, the tourism board, and the central government all refer to the country as the Netherlands.
Now North Holland and South Holland are just two of 12 provinces in the European country.
The name change is reportedly part of a push to get away from the country's association with recreational drug use and legal prostitution, a potent pull factor for foreigners to the Dutch capital Amsterdam, which lies in the province of North Holland.
Ceylon to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka changed its name to break from colonial associations.Although the official name change was made in 1972 when it became independent from British rule, it was not until 2011 that Sri Lanka officially wiped the old colonial name Ceylon from government use. However, the popular Ceylon Tea label has remained.
North Macedonia passes bill in parliament to end dispute with Bulgaria
North Macedonia passes bill in parliament to end dispute with Bulgaria
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