These countries changed their names. Here's how it worked out. - 1

Published 4 Oct 2018, 08:35 BST

The Republic of Macedonia is in the process of renaming to the Republic of North Macedonia.

Photograph by ROBERT HARDING PICTURE LIBRARY, Nat Geo Image Collection

King Mswati III (centre) dances with his men in front of young virgins at a traditional Reed Dance ceremony in Ludzidzini in a country renamed eSwatini (from Swaziland) earlier this year.

Photograph by Per-Anders Pettersson, Getty Images

Istanbul was once Constantinople. So name changes aren't unique to countries.

Photograph by Jules Gervais Courtellemont, National Geographic

The Czech Republic recently rebranded itself as Czechia. Shown is the Old Town Bridge Tower in Prague.

Photograph by Robert Harding Picture Library

After many name changes, in 1997, Republic of Zaire changed its name back to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Photograph by Pascal MAITRE, Nat Geo Image Collection

Upper Volta renamed to Burkina Faso in 1984.

Photograph by SIA KAMBOU, AFP/Getty Images

Originally known as French Somaliland, and then the Territory of the Afars and the Issas, Djibouti became the country's official name in 1977.

Photograph by Olivier Goujon, Robert Harding/Nat Geo Image Collection

Formerly known as East Timor, Timor Leste was renamed in 2002.

Photograph by Cedric Arnold, Camera Press/Redux

Namibia was renamed from Southwest Africa in 1990.

Photograph by Alex Treadway, Nat Geo Image Collection

Still more commonly known by its former name, Cabo Verde renamed to its original Portuguese title in 2013.

Photograph by JODY MACDONALD, Nat Geo Image Collection

Cambodia had many past names, including Kingdom of Cambodia, Khmer Republic, and Kampuchea.

Photograph by Jay Dickman, Nat Geo Image Collection

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These countries changed their names. Here's how it worked out. - 1

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