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China -

China, a colossal country with a population exceeding one billion, hardly needs an introduction.

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Emperor Qin -

The country is named after Emperor Qin, pronounced "Chin." Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of unified China.

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Colombia -

Colombia, a sovereign state in South America, is known for its rich ethnic and linguistic diversity, making it one of the most diverse countries in the world.

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Christopher Columbus -

Colombia takes its name from Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer who played a major role in the European colonization of the Americas.

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Bolivia -

The landlocked country is located in South America and was formerly a colony of Spain.

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Simón Bolívar -

Bolivia takes its name from Simón Bolívar, a Venezuelan military leader who fought for the independence of many South American countries.

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Dominican Republic -

The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispaniola and has been the home of the Taíno people since the 7th century.

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Saint Dominic -

The nation is named after St. Dominic, a Spanish priest and revered patron saint of astronomers.

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Philippines -

The Southeast Asian country is an archipelago with more than 7,600 islands known as the Philippines.

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Philip II -

The Philippines got its name from Philip II of Spain, whose empire extended to all the continents that Europeans could reach, including the Philippines.

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Israel -

Israel is located east of the Mediterranean Sea. It became an independent state in 1948.

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Jacob/Israel -

The nation takes its name from Jacob, who is mentioned in the Bible and is also known as Israel. In this picture he is wrestling with a mysterious angel, that some believe to be Phanuel or even God himself.

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Liechtenstein -

Liechtenstein, a small country in Central Europe, is a landlocked microstate and home to just 40,000 people. Despite its size, the country has a very successful economy.

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The House of Liechtenstein -

Liechtenstein is named after the House of Liechtenstein, a family with a rich history that dates back to the 17th century and still rules the country. Prince Hans-Adam II is the current sovereign ruler.

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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -

This nation is located on a chain of islands in the West Indies. The country has a French and British colonial history.

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Saint Vincent of Saragossa -

The name of this country is inspired by St. Vincent de Saragossa, the patron saint of Lisbon and Valencia. The Spanish exploration team arrived on the island on January 22, which happens to be St. Vincent's feast day.

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Russia -

This colossal transcontinental country is also the largest nation in the world.

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Rus -

Russia is derived from the name Rus, one of three mythological brothers who traveled and settled around the world. Similarly, Belarus also takes its name from this Slavic legend.

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Saint Lucia -

This island state has around 180,000 inhabitants and was formerly called Iyonola by the indigenous people.

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Saint Lucy -

This land takes its name from St. Lucy, a Christian martyr who lived in the first century. Legend has it that her eyes were removed from her head, although the story with many different versions.

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Solomon Islands -

This sovereign state is located in Oceania and consists of more than 900 islands. The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom on July 7, 1978.

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Solomon -

The islands are named after King Solomon (center), the successor to King David of Israel.

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San Marino -

This small, sunny microstate, also known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, is located within the borders of Italy. 

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Saint Marinus -

St. Marinus founded a monastery in this area in the year 301. San Marino was born from this community.

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Uzbekistan -

Uzbekistan, with its rich history and culture, is perhaps a little overlooked when it comes to Central Asian countries.

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Öz Beg Khan -

The nation is named after Öz Beg Khan, the longest reigning ruler of the historical region of the Golden Horde.

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Saint Kitts and Nevis -

St. Kitts and Nevis is an underrated island nation in the West Indies. They were among the first islands in the Caribbean to be colonized by Europeans.

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Saint Christopher -

The name of the country is derived from Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, who is said to have carried Christ across a river.

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United States of America -

The United States is one of the most dominant countries in the world, in terms of size, economy, and political sway. 

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Amerigo Vespucci -

Few people know that America was named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who conducted research on the "New World," or the Americas.

Sources: (Travelphant) (Vox)

See also: Countries that changed their names

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