Cornell Scott

Antwerp Then Antwerp, a city in the Flanders region of Belgium, is one of the world’s major seaports, with a rich history reflected in its name’s evolution.  The earliest recorded names include “Ando Verpia” on Roman coins and the Germanic “Andhunerbo,” dating back to around 567 CE when the region was part of the kingdom […]

Brussels Then Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, is situated in the valley of the Senne River, a small tributary of the Schelde River.  It became officially known as the Brussels-Capital Region in 1989, following the federalization of Belgium.  The city’s name is thought to have originated from the Old Dutch terms “Bruocsella,” “Broekzele,” or

Frankfurt Then Frankfurt am Main, a prominent city in the Hessen region of western Germany, has a name with deep historical roots.  The earliest known references to the city are from 794, under the names Frankonovurd (Old High German) and Vadum Francorum (Latin), both reflecting its connection to the Franks, a Germanic tribe.  The name

Hamburg Then Hamburg, a major city and state in northern Germany, is situated along the Elbe River.  Its origins trace back to AD 808 when Emperor Charlemagne ordered the construction of a castle to protect the region from Slavic invasions.  This castle, known as Hammaburg, was built on rocky ground in a marshy area between

Munich Then Munich, the capital of Bavaria in southern Germany, has a rich historical origin that reflects its cultural and religious heritage.  Originally a small settlement founded in the 8th century, it was associated with friars, as its name, zu den Munichen (“to the monks”), suggests.  This Old High German term later evolved into the

Lyon Then Lyon, a city of remarkable historical and cultural significance, is both the capital of the Rhône département and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes région in east-central France.  Situated at the picturesque confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon’s name reflects its ancient origins and rich heritage.  Derived from the Gallic Lugdunon, the name is believed

Geneva Then Geneva, the capital of the Swiss canton of Genève, is located in the far southwestern part of Switzerland, near the French border.  Known as one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, Geneva’s significance has been shaped more by its historical and cultural developments than by its geographic location.  Since the 16th century, Geneva has

Zurich Then Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, also serves as the capital of the canton of Zürich. Its name is traditionally written as “Zurich” in English, omitting the umlaut (ü). The city’s name can be traced back to the late 2nd century AD, where the earliest known reference appears on a tombstone, with the

Helsinki Then Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is not only the leading seaport and industrial hub of the country but also holds a rich historical and linguistic significance.  The city’s name is believed to have evolved from the Swedish word Helsinge, possibly referring to the “Helsinge River,” which could have been named after a narrow

Oslo Then Oslo, the capital and largest city of Norway, has a rich historical evolution that reflects its changing role and growth over the centuries.  Initially founded by King Harald Hardraade around 1050, the city was originally located east of the Aker River.  However, after a devastating fire in 1624 during the reign of King