Sri Lanka to Thailand: 7 Countries That Changed Their Official Names
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Ceylon to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka shed its colonial legacy and replaced the name "Ceylon," bestowed by the British Empire, with "Sri Lanka" after gaining independence.
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Turkey To Turkiye
In 2021, Turkey officially altered its UN-recognized name from "Turkey" to "Türkiye," marking a significant spelling change through international channels.
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Persia to Iran
The Persian government renamed "Persia" to "Iran" in 1935, formalizing the country's identity under its modern name.
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Siam to Thailand
Siam, known through its first international treaty, adopted the name "Thailand" on June 24, 1939, officially replacing its former title.
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Burma to Myanmar
Burma's military Junta renamed the country "Myanmar" in 1989, a change recognized by the United Nations.
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Holland to Netherlands:
In 2020, Holland, originally comprising North and South regions, formally adopted the name "Netherlands" to enhance its global identity and tourism appeal.
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Irish Free State to Ireland
Originally called the Irish Free State, the country changed its name to "Ireland" in 1937.