Jun 23, 2023
The country officially changed its name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989. The military government at the time sought to create a name that encompassed all ethnic groups within the country.
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The island nation of Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972 after gaining independence from British colonial rule. The new name represents the country's Sinhalese majority.
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In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved into two separate countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
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The country known as Persia to the Western world officially changed its name to Iran in 1935. The change was made to reflect the country's ancient historical and cultural roots, as well as to emphasize its non-ethnic specific identity.
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Rhodesia, a British self-governing colony, declared independence in 1965 but faced international opposition due to its racially discriminatory policies. In 1980, it gained independence as Zimbabwe.
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In 1979, following the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime, Kampuchea changed its name to Cambodia.
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The Belgian Congo gained independence in 1960 and changed its name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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The Kingdom of Siam changed its name to Thailand in 1939. The new name means "Land of the Free" and was chosen to promote a sense of unity and nationalism among the diverse ethnic groups within the country.
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The West African nation of Upper Volta changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984. The new name means "Land of the Upright People" in the local languages.
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With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the country transformed into the Russian Federation, marking a significant geopolitical shift in the region.
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