The CIA World Factbook Edition 2015 Government

Country name In 35 editions of 36.

Country name was published in 35 editions of the CIA World Factbook, from 1990 to 2025. The 2015 edition carries it in 259 entries, in its Government section. Every entry is shown as that edition published it.

entries in the 2015 edition: 259
the first edition with it: 1990
the latest edition with it: 2025

Published as “Country name” (1997 to 2025), “Long-form name” (1990 to 1992), “Names” (1993 to 1995) and “Name of country” (1996).

the entry has the field in that editionnot in that editionthe open editionEach entry below ends in its editions with Country name, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down; choose one in a row to read that edition’s text there.

2015

Every edition with Country name

Entries with Country name in each edition

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Africa

56 entries

Algeria

conventional long form:: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
conventional short form:: Algeria
local long form:: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah
local short form:: Al Jaza'ir

note: the country name derives from the city of Algiers

Angola

conventional long form:: Republic of Angola
conventional short form:: Angola
local long form:: Republica de Angola
local short form:: Angola
former:: People's Republic of Angola
etymology:: name derived by the Portuguese from the title "ngola" held by kings of the Ndongo (Ndongo was a kingdom in what is now northern Angola)

Benin

conventional long form:: Republic of Benin
conventional short form:: Benin
local long form:: Republique du Benin
local short form:: Benin
former:: Dahomey

Botswana

conventional long form:: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form:: Botswana
local long form:: Republic of Botswana
local short form:: Botswana
former:: Bechuanaland

Burkina Faso

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Burkina Faso
local long form:: none
local short form:: Burkina Faso
former:: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta

Burundi

conventional long form:: Republic of Burundi
conventional short form:: Burundi
local long form:: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi
local short form:: Burundi
former:: Urundi

Cabo Verde

conventional long form:: Republic of Cabo Verde
conventional short form:: Cabo Verde
local long form:: Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form:: Cabo Verde
etymology:: the name derives from Cap-Vert (Green Cape) on the Senegalese coast, the westernmost point of Africa and the nearest mainland to the islands

Cameroon

conventional long form:: Republic of Cameroon
conventional short form:: Cameroon
local long form:: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon
local short form:: Cameroun/Cameroon
former:: French Cameroon,
British Cameroon,
Federal Republic of Cameroon,
United Republic of Cameroon

Central African Republic

conventional long form:: Central African Republic
conventional short form:: none
local long form:: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form:: none
former:: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire
abbreviation:: CAR

Chad

conventional long form:: Republic of Chad
conventional short form:: Chad
local long form:: Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad
local short form:: Tchad/Tshad

Comoros

conventional long form:: Union of the Comoros
conventional short form:: Comoros
local long form:: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian);
Union des Comores (French);
Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic)
local short form:: Komori (Comorian);
Comores (French);
Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)
etymology:: name derives from the Arabic designation "Juzur al Qamar" meaning "Islands of the Moon"

Congo, Democratic Republic Of The now Democratic Republic of the Congo

conventional long form:: Democratic Republic of the Congo
conventional short form:: DRC
local long form:: Republique Democratique du Congo
local short form:: RDC
former:: Congo Free State,
Belgian Congo,
Congo/Leopoldville,
Congo/Kinshasa,
Zaire
abbreviation:: DRC

Congo, Republic Of The now Republic of the Congo

conventional long form:: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form:: Congo (Brazzaville)
local long form:: Republique du Congo
local short form:: Congo
former:: French Congo,
Middle Congo,
People's Republic of the Congo,
Congo/Brazzaville

Cote D'Ivoire now Cote d'Ivoire

conventional long form:: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form:: Cote d'Ivoire
local long form:: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form:: Cote d'Ivoire

note: pronounced coat-div-whar

former:: Ivory Coast

Djibouti

conventional long form:: Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form:: Djibouti
local long form:: Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti
local short form:: Djibouti/Jibuti
former:: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland

Egypt

conventional long form:: Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form:: Egypt
local long form:: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form:: Misr
former:: United Arab Republic (with Syria)

Equatorial Guinea

conventional long form:: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form:: Equatorial Guinea
local long form:: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee Equatoriale
local short form:: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee Equatoriale
former:: Spanish Guinea
etymology:: the country is named after the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel;
the "equatorial" refers to the fact that the country lies just north of the equator

Eritrea

conventional long form:: State of Eritrea
conventional short form:: Eritrea
local long form:: Hagere Ertra
local short form:: Ertra
former:: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
etymology:: the country name derives from the ancient Greek appellation "Erythra Thalassa" meaning Red Sea, which is the major water body bordering the country

Swaziland now Eswatini

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Swaziland
conventional short form:: Swaziland
local long form:: Umbuso weSwatini
local short form:: eSwatini

Ethiopia

conventional long form:: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
conventional short form:: Ethiopia
local long form:: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
local short form:: Ityop'iya
former:: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa
abbreviation:: FDRE

Gabon

conventional long form:: Gabonese Republic
conventional short form:: Gabon
local long form:: Republique Gabonaise
local short form:: Gabon

Gambia, The now The Gambia

conventional long form:: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form:: The Gambia

Ghana

conventional long form:: Republic of Ghana
conventional short form:: Ghana
former:: Gold Coast

Guinea

conventional long form:: Republic of Guinea
conventional short form:: Guinea
local long form:: Republique de Guinee
local short form:: Guinee
former:: French Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

`conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau

conventional short form:: Guinea-Bissau
local long form:: Republica da Guine-Bissau
local short form:: Guine-Bissau
former:: Portuguese Guinea

note: the country is named after the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel; "Bissau" distinguishes the country from neighboring Guinea

Kenya

conventional long form:: Republic of Kenya
conventional short form:: Kenya
local long form:: Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya
local short form:: Kenya
former:: British East Africa

Lesotho

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Lesotho
conventional short form:: Lesotho
local long form:: Kingdom of Lesotho
local short form:: Lesotho
former:: Basutoland

Liberia

conventional long form:: Republic of Liberia
conventional short form:: Liberia

Libya

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Libya
local long form:: none
local short form:: Libiya

note: the name derives from the Libu, an ancient Libyan tribe first mentioned in texts from the 13th century B.C.

Madagascar

conventional long form:: Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form:: Madagascar
local long form:: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara
local short form:: Madagascar/Madagasikara
former:: Malagasy Republic

Malawi

conventional long form:: Republic of Malawi
conventional short form:: Malawi
local long form:: Dziko la Malawi
local short form:: Malawi
former:: British Central African Protectorate,
Nyasaland Protectorate,
Nyasaland

Mali

conventional long form:: Republic of Mali
conventional short form:: Mali
local long form:: Republique de Mali
local short form:: Mali
former:: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic

Mauritania

conventional long form:: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form:: Mauritania
local long form:: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form:: Muritaniyah

Mauritius

conventional long form:: Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form:: Mauritius
local long form:: Republic of Mauritius
local short form:: Mauritius

note: island named after Prince Maurice VAN NASSAU, stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, in 1598

Morocco

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form:: Morocco
local long form:: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form:: Al Maghrib

Mozambique

conventional long form:: Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form:: Mozambique
local long form:: Republica de Mocambique
local short form:: Mocambique
former:: Portuguese East Africa

Namibia

conventional long form:: Republic of Namibia
conventional short form:: Namibia
local long form:: Republic of Namibia
local short form:: Namibia
former:: German South-West Africa (Deutsch Suedwest Afrika), South-West Africa

Niger

conventional long form:: Republic of Niger
conventional short form:: Niger
local long form:: Republique du Niger
local short form:: Niger

Nigeria

conventional long form:: Federal Republic of Nigeria
conventional short form:: Nigeria

Rwanda

conventional long form:: Republic of Rwanda
conventional short form:: Rwanda
local long form:: Republika y'u Rwanda
local short form:: Rwanda
former:: Ruanda, German East Africa

Saint Helena, Ascension, And Tristan Da Cunha now Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

conventional long form:: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
conventional short form:: none

Sao Tome And Principe now Sao Tome and Principe

conventional long form:: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form:: Sao Tome and Principe
local long form:: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local short form:: Sao Tome e Principe

Senegal

conventional long form:: Republic of Senegal
conventional short form:: Senegal
local long form:: Republique du Senegal
local short form:: Senegal
former:: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation

Seychelles

conventional long form:: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form:: Seychelles
local long form:: Republic of Seychelles
local short form:: Seychelles

Sierra Leone

conventional long form:: Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form:: Sierra Leone
local long form:: Republic of Sierra Leone
local short form:: Sierra Leone

Somalia

conventional long form:: Federal Republic of Somalia
conventional short form:: Somalia
local long form:: Jamhuuriyadda Federaalkaa Soomaaliya
local short form:: Soomaaliya
former:: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic

South Africa

conventional long form:: Republic of South Africa
conventional short form:: South Africa
former:: Union of South Africa
abbreviation:: RSA

South Sudan

conventional long form:: Republic of South Sudan
conventional short form:: South Sudan

Sudan

conventional long form:: Republic of the Sudan
conventional short form:: Sudan
local long form:: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan
local short form:: As-Sudan
former:: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

Tanzania

conventional long form:: United Republic of Tanzania
conventional short form:: Tanzania
local long form:: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania
local short form:: Tanzania
former:: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

Togo

conventional long form:: Togolese Republic
conventional short form:: Togo
local long form:: Republique Togolaise
local short form:: none
former:: French Togoland

Tunisia

conventional long form:: Republic of Tunisia
conventional short form:: Tunisia
local long form:: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
local short form:: Tunis

Uganda

conventional long form:: Republic of Uganda
conventional short form:: Uganda

Western Sahara

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Western Sahara
former:: Rio de Oro,
Saguia el Hamra,
Spanish Sahara

Zambia

conventional long form:: Republic of Zambia
conventional short form:: Zambia
former:: Northern Rhodesia

Zimbabwe

conventional long form:: Republic of Zimbabwe
conventional short form:: Zimbabwe
former:: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia

Antarctic Region

4 entries

Bouvet Island

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Bouvet Island

French Southern And Antarctic Lands now French Southern and Antarctic Lands

conventional long form:: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
conventional short form:: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form:: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
local short form:: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
abbreviation:: TAAF

Heard Island And Mcdonald Islands now Heard Island and McDonald Islands

conventional long form:: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form:: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation:: HIMI

South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands now South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

conventional long form:: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
conventional short form:: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
abbreviation:: SGSSI

Arctic Region

4 entries

Greenland

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Greenland
local long form:: none
local short form:: Kalaallit Nunaat

note: named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in 985 in order to entice settlers to the island

Iceland

conventional long form:: Republic of Iceland
conventional short form:: Iceland
local long form:: Lydveldid Island
local short form:: Island

Jan Mayen

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Jan Mayen

Svalbard

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitsbergen, the largest island in the archipelago)

Asia

23 entries

Afghanistan

conventional long form:: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
conventional short form:: Afghanistan
local long form:: Jamhuri-ye Islami-ye Afghanistan
local short form:: Afghanistan
former:: Republic of Afghanistan

note: the name "Afghan" originally refered to the Pashtun people (today it is understood to include all the country's ethnic groups), while the suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country"; so Afghanistan literally means the Land of the Afghans

Armenia

conventional long form:: Republic of Armenia
conventional short form:: Armenia
local long form:: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
local short form:: Hayastan
former:: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic

Azerbaijan

conventional long form:: Republic of Azerbaijan
conventional short form:: Azerbaijan
local long form:: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
local short form:: Azarbaycan
former:: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

note: the name translates as "The Land of Fire" and refers to naturally occurring surface fires on ancient oil pools or from natural gas discharges

Bangladesh

conventional long form:: People's Republic of Bangladesh
conventional short form:: Bangladesh
local long form:: Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh
local short form:: Bangladesh
former:: East Bengal, East Pakistan

note: the name - a compound of the Bengali words "Bangla" (Bengal) and "desh" (country) - means Country of Bengal

Bhutan

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form:: Bhutan
local long form:: Druk Gyalkhap
local short form:: Druk Yul

British Indian Ocean Territory

conventional long form:: British Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form:: none
abbreviation:: BIOT

China

conventional long form:: People's Republic of China
conventional short form:: China
local long form:: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
local short form:: Zhongguo
abbreviation:: PRC

Georgia

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Georgia
local long form:: none
local short form:: Sak'art'velo
former:: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

India

conventional long form:: Republic of India
conventional short form:: India
local long form:: Republic of India/Bharatiya Ganarajya
local short form:: India/Bharat

Japan

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Japan
local long form:: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku
local short form:: Nihon/Nippon

Kazakhstan

conventional long form:: Republic of Kazakhstan
conventional short form:: Kazakhstan
local long form:: Qazaqstan Respublikasy
local short form:: Qazaqstan
former:: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic

Korea, North now North Korea

conventional long form:: Democratic People's Republic of Korea
conventional short form:: North Korea
local long form:: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk
local short form:: Choson
abbreviation:: DPRK

Korea, South now South Korea

conventional long form:: Republic of Korea
conventional short form:: South Korea
local long form:: Taehan-min'guk
local short form:: Han'guk
abbreviation:: ROK

Kyrgyzstan

conventional long form:: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form:: Kyrgyzstan
local long form:: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form:: Kyrgyzstan
former:: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Maldives

conventional long form:: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form:: Maldives
local long form:: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
local short form:: Dhivehi Raajje

Mongolia

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Mongolia
local long form:: none
local short form:: Mongol Uls
former:: Outer Mongolia

Nepal

conventional long form:: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
conventional short form:: Nepal
local long form:: Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal
local short form:: Nepal

Pakistan

conventional long form:: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form:: Pakistan
local long form:: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan
local short form:: Pakistan
former:: West Pakistan

Russia

conventional long form:: Russian Federation
conventional short form:: Russia
local long form:: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya
local short form:: Rossiya
former:: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

Sri Lanka

conventional long form:: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form:: Sri Lanka
local long form:: Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu
local short form:: Shri Lanka/Ilankai
former:: Serendib, Ceylon

Tajikistan

conventional long form:: Republic of Tajikistan
conventional short form:: Tajikistan
local long form:: Jumhurii Tojikiston
local short form:: Tojikiston
former:: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic

Turkmenistan

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Turkmenistan
local long form:: none
local short form:: Turkmenistan
former:: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

Uzbekistan

conventional long form:: Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form:: Uzbekistan
local long form:: O'zbekiston Respublikasi
local short form:: O'zbekiston
former:: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

Central America and the Caribbean

33 entries

Anguilla

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Anguilla

note: the name Anguilla means "eel" in various Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) and likely derives from the island's lengthy shape

Antigua And Barbuda now Antigua and Barbuda

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Antigua and Barbuda
etymology:: "antiguo" is Spanish for "ancient" or "old";
the island was discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and, according to tradition, named by him after the the church of Santa Maria la Antigua (Old Saint Mary's) in Seville;
"barbuda" is Spanish for "bearded" and the adjective may refer to the alleged beards of the indigenous people or to the island's bearded-fig trees

Aruba

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Aruba

Bahamas, The now The Bahamas

conventional long form:: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
conventional short form:: The Bahamas
etymology:: name derives from the Spanish "baha mar," meaning "shallow sea," which describes the shallow waters of the Bahama Banks

Barbados

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Barbados

note: the name derives from the Portuguese "as barbadas," which means the bearded ones and can refer either to the long, hanging roots of the island's bearded-fig trees or to the alleged beards of the native Carib inhabitants

Belize

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Belize
former:: British Honduras
etymology:: may be named after the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered"

British Virgin Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: British Virgin Islands
abbreviation:: BVI
etymology:: the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)

Cayman Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Cayman Islands
etymology:: the islands' name comes from the native Carib word "caiman," describing the marine crocodiles living there

Costa Rica

conventional long form:: Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form:: Costa Rica
local long form:: Republica de Costa Rica
local short form:: Costa Rica

Cuba

conventional long form:: Republic of Cuba
conventional short form:: Cuba
local long form:: Republica de Cuba
local short form:: Cuba
etymology:: name derives from the Taino Indian designation for the island "coabana" meaning "great place"

Curacao

Dutch long form:: Land Curacao
Dutch short form:: Curacao
Papiamentu long form:: Pais Korsou
Papiamentu short form:: Korsou
former:: Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies

Dominica

conventional long form:: Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form:: Dominica
etymology:: island named by Christopher COLUMBUS after the day of the week on which he spotted it, Sunday ("Domingo" in Latin), 3 November 1493

Dominican Republic

conventional long form:: Dominican Republic
conventional short form:: The Dominican
local long form:: Republica Dominicana
local short form:: La Dominicana

El Salvador

conventional long form:: Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form:: El Salvador
local long form:: Republica de El Salvador
local short form:: El Salvador

note: name is an abbreviation of the original Spanish conquistador designation for the area "Provincia de Nuestro Senor Jesus Cristo, el Salvador del Mundo" (Province of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World), which became simply "El Salvador" (The Savior)

Grenada

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Grenada
etymology:: probably named for the Spanish city of Granada; in Spanish "granada" means "pomegranate"

Guatemala

conventional long form:: Republic of Guatemala
conventional short form:: Guatemala
local long form:: Republica de Guatemala
local short form:: Guatemala

Haiti

conventional long form:: Republic of Haiti
conventional short form:: Haiti
local long form:: Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d Ayiti
local short form:: Haiti/Ayiti

Honduras

conventional long form:: Republic of Honduras
conventional short form:: Honduras
local long form:: Republica de Honduras
local short form:: Honduras

Jamaica

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Jamaica

Montserrat

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Montserrat

Navassa Island

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Navassa Island

Nicaragua

conventional long form:: Republic of Nicaragua
conventional short form:: Nicaragua
local long form:: Republica de Nicaragua
local short form:: Nicaragua

Panama

conventional long form:: Republic of Panama
conventional short form:: Panama
local long form:: Republica de Panama
local short form:: Panama

Puerto Rico

conventional long form:: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form:: Puerto Rico

Saint Barthelemy

conventional long form:: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthelemy
conventional short form:: Saint Barthelemy
local long form:: Collectivite d'outre mer de Saint-Barthelemy
local short form:: Saint-Barthelemy
abbreviation:: Saint-Barth (French); St. Barts or St. Barths (English)

Saint Kitts And Nevis now Saint Kitts and Nevis

conventional long form:: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
conventional short form:: Saint Kitts and Nevis
former:: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

Saint Lucia

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Saint Lucia

Saint Martin

conventional long form:: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin
conventional short form:: Saint Martin
local long form:: Collectivite d'outre mer de Saint-Martin
local short form:: Saint-Martin

Saint Vincent And The Grenadines now Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sint Maarten

Dutch long form:: Land Sint Maarten
Dutch short form:: Sint Maarten
English long form:: Country of Sint Maarten
English short form:: Sint Maarten
former:: Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies

Trinidad And Tobago now Trinidad and Tobago

conventional long form:: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
conventional short form:: Trinidad and Tobago

Turks And Caicos Islands now Turks and Caicos Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Turks and Caicos Islands
abbreviation:: TCI

Virgin Islands

conventional long form:: United States Virgin Islands
conventional short form:: Virgin Islands
former:: Danish West Indies
abbreviation:: USVI

note: the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)

Europe

48 entries

Albania

conventional long form:: Republic of Albania
conventional short form:: Albania
local long form:: Republika e Shqiperise
local short form:: Shqiperia
former:: People's Socialist Republic of Albania

note: the English-language country name seems to be derived from the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Albani; the native name "Shqiperia" is popularly interpreted to mean "Land of the Eagles"

Andorra

conventional long form:: Principality of Andorra
conventional short form:: Andorra
local long form:: Principat d'Andorra
local short form:: Andorra

Austria

Published as “Country name”

conventional long form:: Republic of Austria
conventional short form:: Austria
local long form:: Republik Oesterreich
local short form:: Oesterreich

note: the name Oesterreich means "eastern realm" or "eastern march" and dates back to the 10th century; the designation refers to the fact that Austria was the easternmost extension of Bavaria, and in fact of all the Germans; the word Austria is a Latinization of the German name

Published as “Country name”

conventional long form:: Republic of Austria
conventional short form:: Austria
local long form:: Republik Oesterreich
local short form:: Oesterreich

Belarus

conventional long form:: Republic of Belarus
conventional short form:: Belarus
local long form:: Respublika Byelarus'/Respublika Belarus'
local short form:: Byelarus'/Belarus'
former:: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic

note: the name is a compound of the Belarusian words "bel" (white) and "Rus" (the Old East Slavic ethnic designation) to form the meaning White Rusian or White Ruthenian

Belgium

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Belgium
conventional short form:: Belgium
local long form:: Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German)
local short form:: Belgique/Belgie/Belgien

Bosnia And Herzegovina now Bosnia and Herzegovina

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Bosnia and Herzegovina
local long form:: none
local short form:: Bosna i Hercegovina
former:: People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
abbreviation:: BiH

Bulgaria

conventional long form:: Republic of Bulgaria
conventional short form:: Bulgaria
local long form:: Republika Balgariya
local short form:: Balgariya

Croatia

conventional long form:: Republic of Croatia
conventional short form:: Croatia
local long form:: Republika Hrvatska
local short form:: Hrvatska
former:: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia

Czech Republic now Czechia

conventional long form:: Czech Republic
conventional short form:: Czech Republic
local long form:: Ceska republika
local short form:: Cesko

Denmark

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form:: Denmark
local long form:: Kongeriget Danmark
local short form:: Danmark

Estonia

conventional long form:: Republic of Estonia
conventional short form:: Estonia
local long form:: Eesti Vabariik
local short form:: Eesti
former:: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

Faroe Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Faroe Islands
local long form:: none
local short form:: Foroyar
etymology:: the archipelgo's name may derive from the Old Norse word "faer," meaning sheep

Finland

conventional long form:: Republic of Finland
conventional short form:: Finland
local long form:: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland
local short form:: Suomi/Finland

France

conventional long form:: French Republic
conventional short form:: France
local long form:: Republique francaise
local short form:: France

Germany

conventional long form:: Federal Republic of Germany
conventional short form:: Germany
local long form:: Bundesrepublik Deutschland
local short form:: Deutschland
former:: German Empire,
German Republic,
German Reich

Gibraltar

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Gibraltar
etymology:: from the Spanish derivation of the Arabic "Jabal Tariq," which means "Mountain of Tariq" and which refers to the Rock of Gibraltar

Greece

conventional long form:: Hellenic Republic
conventional short form:: Greece
local long form:: Elliniki Dimokratia
local short form:: Ellas or Ellada
former:: Kingdom of Greece

Guernsey

conventional long form:: Bailiwick of Guernsey
conventional short form:: Guernsey
etymology:: the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Guern(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island"

Holy See (Vatican City)

conventional long form:: The Holy See (Vatican City State)
conventional short form:: Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form:: La Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form:: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)

Hungary

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Hungary
local long form:: none
local short form:: Magyarorszag

Ireland

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Ireland
local long form:: none
local short form:: Eire

Isle Of Man now Isle of Man

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Isle of Man
abbreviation:: I.O.M.
etymology:: the name "man" may be derived from the Celtic word for "mountain"

Italy

conventional long form:: Italian Republic
conventional short form:: Italy
local long form:: Repubblica Italiana
local short form:: Italia
former:: Kingdom of Italy

Jersey

conventional long form:: Bailiwick of Jersey
conventional short form:: Jersey
etymology:: the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Jer(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island"

Kosovo

conventional long form:: Republic of Kosovo
conventional short form:: Kosovo
local long form:: Republika e Kosoves (Republika Kosovo)
local short form:: Kosova (Kosovo)

Latvia

conventional long form:: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form:: Latvia
local long form:: Latvijas Republika
local short form:: Latvija
former:: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Liechtenstein

conventional long form:: Principality of Liechtenstein
conventional short form:: Liechtenstein
local long form:: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
local short form:: Liechtenstein

Lithuania

conventional long form:: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form:: Lithuania
local long form:: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form:: Lietuva
former:: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Luxembourg

conventional long form:: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form:: Luxembourg
local long form:: Grand Duche de Luxembourg
local short form:: Luxembourg

Malta

conventional long form:: Republic of Malta
conventional short form:: Malta
local long form:: Repubblika ta' Malta
local short form:: Malta

Moldova

conventional long form:: Republic of Moldova
conventional short form:: Moldova
local long form:: Republica Moldova
local short form:: Moldova
former:: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic

Monaco

conventional long form:: Principality of Monaco
conventional short form:: Monaco
local long form:: Principaute de Monaco
local short form:: Monaco

Montenegro

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Montenegro
local long form:: none
local short form:: Crna Gora
former:: People's Republic of Montenegro,
Socialist Republic of Montenegro,
Republic of Montenegro

Netherlands

conventional long form:: Kingdom of the Netherlands
conventional short form:: Netherlands
local long form:: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
local short form:: Nederland

Macedonia now North Macedonia

conventional long form:: Republic of Macedonia
conventional short form:: Macedonia
local long form:: Republika Makedonija
local short form:: Makedonija

note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM)

former:: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia

Norway

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form:: Norway
local long form:: Kongeriket Norge
local short form:: Norge

Poland

conventional long form:: Republic of Poland
conventional short form:: Poland
local long form:: Rzeczpospolita Polska
local short form:: Polska

Portugal

conventional long form:: Portuguese Republic
conventional short form:: Portugal
local long form:: Republica Portuguesa
local short form:: Portugal

Romania

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Romania
local long form:: none
local short form:: Romania

San Marino

conventional long form:: Republic of San Marino
conventional short form:: San Marino
local long form:: Repubblica di San Marino
local short form:: San Marino

note: named after the traditional founder of the country, Saint MARINUS

Serbia

conventional long form:: Republic of Serbia
conventional short form:: Serbia
local long form:: Republika Srbija
local short form:: Srbija
former:: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia

Slovakia

conventional long form:: Slovak Republic
conventional short form:: Slovakia
local long form:: Slovenska republika
local short form:: Slovensko

Slovenia

conventional long form:: Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form:: Slovenia
local long form:: Republika Slovenija
local short form:: Slovenija
former:: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia

Spain

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Spain
conventional short form:: Spain
local long form:: Reino de Espana
local short form:: Espana

Sweden

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form:: Sweden
local long form:: Konungariket Sverige
local short form:: Sverige

Switzerland

conventional long form:: Swiss Confederation
conventional short form:: Switzerland
local long form:: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German);
Confederation Suisse (French);
Confederazione Svizzera (Italian);
Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh)
local short form:: Schweiz (German);
Suisse (French);
Svizzera (Italian);
Svizra (Romansh)

Ukraine

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Ukraine
local long form:: none
local short form:: Ukrayina
former:: Ukrainian National Republic,
Ukrainian State,
Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic

note: name derives from the Old East Slavic word "ukraina" meaning borderland or march (militarized border region)

United Kingdom

conventional long form:: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; note - Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales
conventional short form:: United Kingdom
abbreviation:: UK

Middle East

19 entries

Akrotiri

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Akrotiri

Bahrain

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form:: Bahrain
local long form:: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
local short form:: Al Bahrayn
former:: Dilmun, State of Bahrain
etymology:: the name means "the two seas" in Arabic and refers to the water bodies surrounding the archipelago

Cyprus

conventional long form:: Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form:: Cyprus
local long form:: Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti
local short form:: Kypros/Kibris

note: the Turkish Cypriot community, which administers the northern part of the island, refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" or "TRNC" ("Kuzey Kibris Turk Cumhuriyeti" or "KKTC")

Dhekelia

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Dhekelia

Gaza Strip

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Gaza Strip
local long form:: none
local short form:: Qita' Ghazzah
etymology:: named after the largest city in the region, Gaza, whose settlement can be traced back to at least the 15th century B.C. (as "Ghazzat")

Iran

conventional long form:: Islamic Republic of Iran
conventional short form:: Iran
local long form:: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran
local short form:: Iran
former:: Persia

Iraq

conventional long form:: Republic of Iraq
conventional short form:: Iraq
local long form:: Jumhuriyat al-Iraq/Komar-i Eraq
local short form:: Al Iraq/Eraq
etymology:: the name probably derives from "Uruk" (Biblical "Erech") the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian city on the Euphrates River

Israel

conventional long form:: State of Israel
conventional short form:: Israel
local long form:: Medinat Yisra'el
local short form:: Yisra'el

Jordan

conventional long form:: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
conventional short form:: Jordan
local long form:: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah
local short form:: Al Urdun
former:: Transjordan

Kuwait

conventional long form:: State of Kuwait
conventional short form:: Kuwait
local long form:: Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form:: Al Kuwayt
etymology:: the name derives from the capital city, which is from Arabic "al-Kuwayt" a diminutive of "kut" meaning "fortress encircled by water"

Lebanon

conventional long form:: Lebanese Republic
conventional short form:: Lebanon
local long form:: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
local short form:: Lubnan
former:: Greater Lebanon
etymology:: derives from the Semitic root "lbn" meaning "white" and refers to snow-capped Mount Lebanon

Oman

conventional long form:: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form:: Oman
local long form:: Saltanat Uman
local short form:: Uman
former:: Muscat and Oman

Qatar

conventional long form:: State of Qatar
conventional short form:: Qatar
local long form:: Dawlat Qatar
local short form:: Qatar

note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation is cutter

Saudi Arabia

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form:: Saudi Arabia
local long form:: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form:: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Syria

conventional long form:: Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form:: Syria
local long form:: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form:: Suriyah
former:: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)

Turkey now Turkiye

conventional long form:: Republic of Turkey
conventional short form:: Turkey
local long form:: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti
local short form:: Turkiye

United Arab Emirates

conventional long form:: United Arab Emirates
conventional short form:: none
local long form:: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
local short form:: none
former:: Trucial Oman, Trucial States
abbreviation:: UAE

West Bank

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: West Bank

Yemen

conventional long form:: Republic of Yemen
conventional short form:: Yemen
local long form:: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah
local short form:: Al Yaman
former:: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]

North America

6 entries

Bermuda

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Bermuda
former:: Somers Islands
etymology:: the islands making up Bermuda are named after Juan de BERMUDEZ, a Spanish sea captain and the first European explorer of the archipelago in the early 16th century

Canada

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Canada

note: the country name is derived from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata" meaning village or settlement

Clipperton Island

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Clipperton Island
local long form:: none
local short form:: Ile Clipperton
former:: sometimes called Ile de la Passion

Mexico

conventional long form:: United Mexican States
conventional short form:: Mexico
local long form:: Estados Unidos Mexicanos
local short form:: Mexico

Saint Pierre And Miquelon now Saint Pierre and Miquelon

conventional long form:: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
conventional short form:: Saint Pierre and Miquelon
local long form:: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
local short form:: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

United States

conventional long form:: United States of America
conventional short form:: United States
abbreviation:: US or USA

note: the name America is derived from that of Amerigo VESPUCCI (1454-1512), Italian explorer, navigator, and cartographer

Oceania

34 entries

American Samoa

conventional long form:: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form:: American Samoa
abbreviation:: AS
etymology:: the name Samoa is composed of two parts, "sa" meaning "sacred" and "moa" meaning "center," so the name can mean Holy Center;
alternatively, it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology

Australia

conventional long form:: Commonwealth of Australia
conventional short form:: Australia

note: the name Australia is derived from the Latin "australis" meaning southern; the Australian landmass was long referred to as "Terra Australis" or the Southern Land

Cook Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Cook Islands
etymology:: named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777

Coral Sea Islands

conventional long form:: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form:: Coral Sea Islands

Fiji

conventional long form:: Republic of Fiji
conventional short form:: Fiji
local long form:: Republic of Fiji/Matanitu ko Viti
local short form:: Fiji/Viti
etymology:: the Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi, and in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation - promulgated by explorer Captain James COOK - the designation became Fiji

French Polynesia

conventional long form:: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia
conventional short form:: French Polynesia
local long form:: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise
local short form:: Polynesie Francaise
former:: French Colony of Oceania
etymology:: the term Polynesia is an 18th-century construct composed of two Greek words, "poly" (many) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to the hundreds of islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean

Guam

conventional long form:: Territory of Guam
conventional short form:: Guam
local long form:: Guahan
local short form:: Guahan

Howland Island

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Howland Island

Jarvis Island

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Jarvis Island

Johnston Atoll

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Johnston Atoll

Kingman Reef

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Kingman Reef

Kiribati

conventional long form:: Republic of Kiribati
conventional short form:: Kiribati
local long form:: Republic of Kiribati
local short form:: Kiribati

note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss

former:: Gilbert Islands
etymology:: the name is the local pronounciation of "Gilberts," the former designation of the islands;
originally named after explorer Thomas GILBERT, who mapped many of the islands in 1788

Marshall Islands

conventional long form:: Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form:: Marshall Islands
local long form:: Republic of the Marshall Islands
local short form:: Marshall Islands
abbreviation:: RMI
former:: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District

Micronesia, Federated States Of now Federated States of Micronesia

conventional long form:: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form:: none
local long form:: Federated States of Micronesia
local short form:: none
former:: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts
abbreviation:: FSM

Midway Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Midway Islands

Nauru

conventional long form:: Republic of Nauru
conventional short form:: Nauru
local long form:: Republic of Nauru
local short form:: Nauru
former:: Pleasant Island

New Caledonia

conventional long form:: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
conventional short form:: New Caledonia
local long form:: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances
local short form:: Nouvelle-Caledonie

New Zealand

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: New Zealand
abbreviation:: NZ

Niue

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Niue

note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee

former:: Savage Island

Norfolk Island

conventional long form:: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form:: Norfolk Island

Northern Mariana Islands

conventional long form:: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form:: Northern Mariana Islands
abbreviation:: CNMI
former:: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District

Palau

conventional long form:: Republic of Palau
conventional short form:: Palau
local long form:: Beluu er a Belau
local short form:: Belau
former:: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District

Palmyra Atoll

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Palmyra Atoll

Papua New Guinea

conventional long form:: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form:: Papua New Guinea
local short form:: Papuaniugini
former:: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
abbreviation:: PNG

Pitcairn Islands

conventional long form:: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form:: Pitcairn Islands

Samoa

conventional long form:: Independent State of Samoa
conventional short form:: Samoa
local long form:: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa
local short form:: Samoa
former:: Western Samoa

note: the name "Samoa" is composed of two parts, "sa" meaning sacred and "moa" meaning center, so the name can mean Holy Center; alternatively, it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology

Solomon Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Solomon Islands
local long form:: none
local short form:: Solomon Islands
former:: British Solomon Islands

Tokelau

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Tokelau

Tonga

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Tonga
conventional short form:: Tonga
local long form:: Pule'anga Tonga
local short form:: Tonga
former:: Friendly Islands

Tuvalu

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Tuvalu
local long form:: none
local short form:: Tuvalu
former:: Ellice Islands

note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight" referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Baker Island;
Howland Island;
Jarvis Island;
Johnston Atoll;
Kingman Reef;
Midway Islands;
Palmyra Atoll

Vanuatu

conventional long form:: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form:: Vanuatu
local long form:: Ripablik blong Vanuatu
local short form:: Vanuatu
former:: New Hebrides

Wake Island

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Wake Island

Wallis And Futuna now Wallis and Futuna

conventional long form:: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
conventional short form:: Wallis and Futuna
local long form:: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
local short form:: Wallis et Futuna

South America

13 entries

Argentina

conventional long form:: Argentine Republic
conventional short form:: Argentina
local long form:: Republica Argentina
local short form:: Argentina

note: originally the area was referred to as Tierra Argentina, i.e., "Land beside the Silvery River" or "Silvery Land," which referred to the massive estuary in the east of the country, the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver); over time the name shortened to simply Argentina or "silvery"

Bolivia

conventional long form:: Plurinational State of Bolivia
conventional short form:: Bolivia
local long form:: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
local short form:: Bolivia

Brazil

conventional long form:: Federative Republic of Brazil
conventional short form:: Brazil
local long form:: Republica Federativa do Brasil
local short form:: Brasil

note: the country name derives from the brazilwood tree that used to grow plentifully along the coast of Brazil and that was used to produce a deep red dye

Chile

conventional long form:: Republic of Chile
conventional short form:: Chile
local long form:: Republica de Chile
local short form:: Chile

Colombia

conventional long form:: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form:: Colombia
local long form:: Republica de Colombia
local short form:: Colombia

Ecuador

conventional long form:: Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form:: Ecuador
local long form:: Republica del Ecuador
local short form:: Ecuador

note: the country's position on the globe, straddling the equator, accounts for its name

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
etymology:: the archipelago takes its name from the Falkland Sound, the strait separating the two main islands;
the channel itself was named after the Viscount of Falkland who sponsored an expedition to the islands in 1690;
the Spanish name for the archipelago derives from the French "Iles Malouines," the name applied to the islands by French explorer Louis-Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE in 1764

Guyana

conventional long form:: Cooperative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form:: Guyana
former:: British Guiana

Paraguay

conventional long form:: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form:: Paraguay
local long form:: Republica del Paraguay
local short form:: Paraguay

Peru

conventional long form:: Republic of Peru
conventional short form:: Peru
local long form:: Republica del Peru
local short form:: Peru

Suriname

conventional long form:: Republic of Suriname
conventional short form:: Suriname
local long form:: Republiek Suriname
local short form:: Suriname
former:: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

Uruguay

conventional long form:: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form:: Uruguay
local long form:: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form:: Uruguay
former:: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

Venezuela

conventional long form:: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form:: Venezuela
local long form:: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
local short form:: Venezuela

Southeast Asia

19 entries

Ashmore And Cartier Islands now Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional long form:: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form:: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Brunei

conventional long form:: Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form:: Brunei
local long form:: Negara Brunei Darussalam
local short form:: Brunei

Burma now Burma (Myanmar)

conventional long form:: Union of Burma
conventional short form:: Burma
local long form:: Pyidaungzu Thammada Myanma Naingngandaw (translated as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar)
local short form:: Myanma Naingngandaw
former:: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, Union of Myanmar

note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma and the current parliamentary government have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; the US Government has not adopted the name

etymology:: both Burma and Myanmar derive from the name of the majority Burmese Bamar ethnic group

Cambodia

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Cambodia
conventional short form:: Cambodia
local long form:: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)
local short form:: Kampuchea
former:: Khmer Republic,
Democratic Kampuchea,
People's Republic of Kampuchea,
State of Cambodia

Christmas Island

conventional long form:: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form:: Christmas Island
etymology:: named after its discovery on Christmas Day (25 December 1643)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

conventional long form:: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form:: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
etymology:: the name refers to the abundant coconut trees on the islands and to English Captain William KEELING, the first European to sight the islands in 1609

Hong Kong

conventional long form:: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
conventional short form:: Hong Kong
local long form:: Heung Kong Takpit Hangching Ku (Eitel/Dyer-Ball); Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu (Hanyu Pinyin)
local short form:: Heung Kong (Eitel/Dyer-Ball); Xianggang (Hanyu Pinyin)
abbreviation:: HK

Indonesia

conventional long form:: Republic of Indonesia
conventional short form:: Indonesia
local long form:: Republik Indonesia
local short form:: Indonesia
former:: Netherlands East Indies, Dutch East Indies

Laos

conventional long form:: Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form:: Laos
local long form:: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form:: Pathet Lao (unofficial)

Macau

conventional long form:: Macau Special Administrative Region
conventional short form:: Macau
official long form:: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)
official short form:: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)

Malaysia

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Malaysia
local long form:: none
local short form:: Malaysia
former:: Federation of Malaya

Paracel Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Paracel Islands

Philippines

conventional long form:: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form:: Philippines
local long form:: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form:: Pilipinas

Singapore

conventional long form:: Republic of Singapore
conventional short form:: Singapore
local long form:: Republic of Singapore
local short form:: Singapore

Spratly Islands

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Spratly Islands

Taiwan

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Taiwan
local long form:: none
local short form:: Taiwan
former:: Formosa

Thailand

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form:: Thailand
local long form:: Ratcha Anachak Thai
local short form:: Prathet Thai
former:: Siam

Timor-Leste

conventional long form:: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
conventional short form:: Timor-Leste

note: pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay

local long form:: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
local short form:: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
former:: East Timor, Portuguese Timor

Vietnam

conventional long form:: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
conventional short form:: Vietnam
local long form:: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam
local short form:: Viet Nam
abbreviation:: SRV

Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2015, “Country name”, all entries. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/fields/country-name/2015.

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