5 countries changed names

Many cities, countries, regions, as well as a high-level region around the world have changed names for different reasons. Most of the change of name is done for political reasons as well as causes associated with nationalist feelings such as to remove traces of colonial powers or reflect an ideology of the ruling government.

A country or territory is also likely to make its name purely for reasons related to a warning or celebration in the area, especially to honor influential figures or an event that is part of the history of a region. Not only that, a country is also likely to change its name to improve the image of their country by removing the old name that has to do with a dark event for a nation. Here we present ten countries that have successfully changed their name. Well, here's the story behind the renaming country you need to know.

#1 Dahomey Becoming Benin

Dahomey was originally a powerful empire before the pre-colonial era founded in Western Afirka in an area known today as the Republic of Benin. The kingdom also covers an area that today is part of Togo and some areas of southwest Nigeria. The kingdom of Dahomey is famous for its ability of female warriors who act as a royal bodyguard. The country changed its name from Dahomey to the Benin Republic fifteen years after they gained independence in 1975 under the leadership of Mathieu Kerekou. This change of name to equate to the Marxist-Leninist ideas held by Kerekou.

#2 Upper Volta Becomes Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, originally officially named Upper Volta (Upper Volta), was renamed in August 1984 by President Thomas Sankara. He chose the names "Burkina" and "Faso" from the names of the two major languages ​​in this country. The name Upper Volta is given from the French colonial because of the Voltar River that runs throughout the country. Burkina itself means "honest people" in Moore and Faso means "homeland" in Dyula. When the two words are connected then the meaning becomes "the ground for the honest ones."

#3 Zaire Becomes a Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been officially known by several names such as Congo-Free State, Belgian Congo, and Congo-Leopoldville. In 1960, the Congo gained its independence under the name of the Congolese Republic named after the Congo River. Between 1965 and 1971, the country's name changed to the Democratic Republic of Congo and in 1971 President Mobuto Sese Seko renamed it the Republic of Zaire. Although the Sovereign National Congress voted to change its name in 1992, the change took place in 1977 following the fall of Mobutu.

#4 Sailan Becomes Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been known by various names from time to time. Under British rule (referring to the United Kingdom), Sri Lanka is known as Sailan. Sailan (Ceylon) is a translation of Ceilao, the name of this country under Portuguese rule which was the first ruling colony of the area. The name "Sri Lanka" was only introduced during the impetus of the region for independence in the early 20th century. The name is used by the Marxist Party of Lanka Sama Samaja and Sri introduced by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. It was officially adopted by the name of the Republic of Sri Lanka in 1972 and finally became the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka since 1978.

#5 Bechuanaland Being Botswana

Botswana was originally known as the British proctetorate (referring to the United Kingdom) of Bechuanaland. The name "Bechuanaland" itself was adopted by the British on March 31, 1885, when it took the country as one of its territories. This region remained under the name Proktetorat Bechuanaland until the date of its independence, September 30, 1966. The new name for the country, "Botswana", was chosen after they were officially independent. Botswana is named after Tswana, the largest ethnic group inhabiting the country of Botswana, can also be referred to as Bechuana in the orthographic variant of the older.