[SOLVED] Nicknames / Alternative names for Countries

[Rytron]

Hi,
Does anyone know a web site that lists the alternative names of Countries?
For example Ireland is also known as 'The Emerald Isle', Japan as 'The Land of the Rising Sun', etc.
Any websites to recommend?
Thanks.

[forrestcupp]

The only thing I was able to find is a very large database on racial slurs. I don't think that's really appropriate. It was kind of interesting, though, because it gives a brief explanation of how they originated.

[der_joachim]

I cannot point you to anything else than the on-line encyclopedias. But the information you search is quite fragmented.

I can give you two nicknames though. The Netherlands are known as the Lowlands or the Low lands, because a sizable portion is actually below sea level. The French appear to call their country l'Hexagone (sp?), since France is roughly hexagonal in shape.

[Sef]

The Netherlands are known as the Lowlands or the Low lands

Nether itself mean low or under. Hence the Low Lands is a direct translation for The Netherlands.

[gn2]

The Land Of The Free. Always makes me chuckle.

[Rytron]

Sorted. I found this page:
http://www.glosk.com/TU/Anatolia/-1048557/pages/List_of_country_nicknames/19026_en.htm

[bufsabre666]

i seem to hear the greatest country in the world alot, although i admit i wonder where they get those statistics

[der_joachim]

Nether itself mean low or under. Hence the Low Lands is a direct translation for The Netherlands.

The term 'Lage landen', a literal translation of 'low lands' is commonly used to refer to the Netherlands, and the old Dutch word neder is indeed related to the German word nieder and ye olde English worde nether.

@bufsabre: You do realize that 125% of all statistics is made up on the spot. ;)