Category: Uncategorized

Three More Made-Up Countries: a Mispronunciation, a Prank Call, and the Ultimate Scheme

Gregor MacGregor's Drawings of Poyais That Differed Immensely From Reality See the First Three - https://onepagestories.home.blog/2019/03/08/the-story-of-three-made-up-countries-an-illegal-immigrant-a-british-newspaper-and-a-polish-politician/ Nambia - 2017 At a conference with major African leaders, who the US usually pays fleeting amounts of attention to, Donald Trump accidentally created an internet phenomenon. “Nambia’s health care system is increasingly self-sufficient,” he said, most likely referring … Continue reading Three More Made-Up Countries: a Mispronunciation, a Prank Call, and the Ultimate Scheme →

Why do Austria and Australia Have Such Similar Names?

It is mostly because of this guy pictured above - Pedro Fernandes de Queirós Introduction Austria and Australia are very far apart, yet their names are similar enough to cause confusion for even politicians! How have these two very different areas gotten such similar names? The short answer: Aristotle, selfish nationalism, a misspelling, and confusion. … Continue reading Why do Austria and Australia Have Such Similar Names? →

The Closest Capitals in the World

Some capital cities are really close together - such as Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina Honorable Mentions: Countries with two capitals - Full list here 1.Bratislava and Vienna - 55 km Bratislava in Slovakia and Vienna in Austria are very close capital cities, being 55 kilometers (34 miles) apart with frequent train connections between … Continue reading The Closest Capitals in the World →

U.S. State Dpt. Says Liberia Safer than France

A Map of the State Department's Travel Risk Rankings By Country From Latest Data Provided Made With Mapchart This article isn't satire, but it has the best headline I have ever written. Liberia, a West African nation susceptible to Ebola, other deadly diseases, violent crime, and political corruption, is safer than France, which faces lesser … Continue reading U.S. State Dpt. Says Liberia Safer than France →

The Story of Three-Made-Up Countries: an Illegal Immigrant, a British Newspaper, and a Polish Politician

Formosa - 1703 George Psalmanazar was an illegal immigrant hoping to arrive in France without being sent back. After his “Irish Pilgrim” disguise failed, he turned to a different idea. He became a heathen, and was the first “native” of Formosa, now called Taiwan, to come to Europe. He traveled through continental Europe as he … Continue reading The Story of Three-Made-Up Countries: an Illegal Immigrant, a British Newspaper, and a Polish Politician →

Lenin’s Reign in Antarctica: The Story of Oddly Placed Lenin Statues

Why Do These Still Exist? Destalinization means the act of removing Stalin's influence in a (usually Communist) country. This almost always involves the act of removing any statues or busts of Stalin. Deleninazition is a less formal word, and it means the act of removing Lenin's influence in a (usually Communist) country. This almost always … Continue reading Lenin’s Reign in Antarctica: The Story of Oddly Placed Lenin Statues →

Other Countries With Many Independence Dates

Lithuania Gained Independence Twice Azerbaijan - 1918, 1918, and 1991 Azerbaijan was conquered by the Russian Empire after a series of wars with Iran. People in  Russian-occupied Azerbaijan were separated from their ethnic brothers in Iran. This led to segregation in the area. Azerbaijan joined Armenia and Georgia in an experiment with a Transcaucasian State, … Continue reading Other Countries With Many Independence Dates →