Geographical facts that surprise you (languages, different, pass)

[cebuan]

Originally Posted by yofie

There's also Tanzania vs. Tasmania, of quite different etymologies as well.

And Iceland and Ireland. But did you notice the interesting fact that South and East are contrasting compass directions?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by cebuan

But did you notice the interesting fact that South and East are contrasting compass directions?

I don't get what you mean by that.

[Mhc1985]

I guess he is emphasizing that both Austria and Australia come from words expressing a compass point, but not the same one, increasing the ‘oddity’ associated to their names being that similar. They are not just two random false friends.

[tij]

Originally Posted by Mhc1985

I guess he is emphasizing that both Austria and Australia come from words expressing a compass point, but not the same one, increasing the ‘oddity’ associated to their names being that similar. They are not just two random false friends.

The word 'Australia' originates from the Latin "terra australis" meaning the "southern land" while 'Austria' stems from the German "Österreich," meaning the "Eastern kingdom." Both the first portion of both the German and that of the Latin term originate from the same Proto-Indo-European root *h₂ews-, the "dawn," so the confusing similarity is not a mere coincidence/false friend here, but an indication of the distant common origin shared by both Latin and German.

[cebuan]

Originally Posted by tij

The word 'Australia' originates from the Latin "terra australis" meaning the "southern land" while 'Austria' stems from the German "Österreich," meaning the "Eastern kingdom." Both the first portion of both the German and that of the Latin term originate from the same Proto-Indo-European root *h₂ews-, the "dawn," so the confusing similarity is not a mere coincidence/false friend here, but an indication of the distant common origin shared by both Latin and German.

But it was the intent of the people who named them to express their eastern-ness or their southern-ness.

Wow! I am not even aware that Constanta Dobrogea to Bucharest Wallachia is really not that far away until one year ago with high speed train! The fastest train only 1 hour 50 to 1 hour 57 minutes, technically! Almost in the blink of an eye and absolutely everyone is smiling when they find out after experience that you could live Bucharest right from the major sea side town of Romania if going with the train routes correctly. Right to the country's only megalopolis major city above one million people. I went to Bucharest from Tuzla/Constanta roughly once every 14 days. Only 60 Leu Ron/$12 to $14 USD from beginning to final. And the cheapest tickets are even reaching just $7 USD/30 Leu Ron. I went to Bucharest at least on 8 major occasions during July to December 2019. Even without hotel room accommodation back to the rural village house the next day. Even going to the beach before and after.

I thought I would only get this in Asia.

[Mhc1985]

5 out of the 9 largest countries by surface area have borders with a larger country. I guess it’s a surprisingly large amount. Besides, the largest one, Russia, obviously can’t qualify. So let’s see:

- China has borders with Russia.
- The USA has borders with Canada.
- India has borders with China.
- Argentina has borders with Brazil.
- Kazakhstan has borders with both Russia and China.

Not only is Kazakhstan the largest landlocked country in the world, but it’s also the largest country that has borders with two larger countries.

Then we have Mongolia, the largest country that only has borders with larger countries.

[averysgore]

If the entire world population moved to the United States, it would still have a lower population density than Bangladesh.

(about 72% of it)

[Michiko_shanyang]

What surprised me was North Borneo ( Serawak + Sabah ) , which was in Indonesia but belonged to Malaysia . and after I learned its history is a gift from the Dutch for the British ... so in the end North Borneo belongs to Malaysia/ Brunei

[arr430]

If you went straight south from Detroit, you would pass to the east of Atlanta, and then miss South America completely.