It’s nothing new, we love to give nicknames to everything and anything. Countries are no exception: the Hexagon, the Land of the Rising Sun or even the Rainbow Nation -countries are often referred to by a number of different nicknames with diverse origins. Some come from ancient history, others from geographical features, while others still are simply stereotypes. Here are 17 of the most beautiful nicknames we use for countries the world over, to brighten up your geography papers!
1/ South Africa: the Rainbow Nation
This name was given by Desmond Tutu, when he described his dream for a post-apartheid South Africa in which all groups could live peacefully together.
2/ Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun
The origin of this phrase goes back to a message from Japanese Prince Shotoku, addressed to his Chinese counterpart more than 1500 years ago: “From the sovereign of the land of the rising sun to the sovereign of the land of the setting sun” (as China is situated to the west of Japan).
3/ Belarus: the Blue-Eyed Country
Belarus inherited this name because of the thousands of lakes dotted around it.
4/ Australia: Oz
Oz, or the Land of Oz, comes quite simply from shortening the word Australia. Phonetically, Aus = Oz. In addition, we can make the flattering link between the country and Frank L. Baum’s “Marvellous Land of Oz”.
5/ Armenia: The Land of Noah
The ‘remains’ of Noah’s Ark can be found in Armenia, visible only to those who really want to see them…
6/ China: Celestial Empire
If China is also referred to as The Middle Kingdom, it is often rechristened The Celestial Empire, an expression used by the Chinese population to refer to the world, or all that is earthly. It could be interpreted as “everything that can be found under the heavens”.
7/ Albania: Land of the Eagles
The raptor has always been highly respected in Balkan culture. Alert and insightful, the eagle embodies the perfect strategist. Outside of this, for some people, the two heads of the animal on the Albanian flag symbolise the empire that was split in two in 395. For other people, they signify the union between the North and South of the country.
