Cities

Istanbul Then Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and principal seaport, has a rich and complex history reflected in its changing names.  Initially founded as Byzantium around 657 BCE by Megarian colonists, the city was named after their legendary founder, Byzas, who was said to be the son of Poseidon and the nymph Ceroëssa.  Over time, the […]

Riyadh Then Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, derives its name from the Arabic word rawḍah, meaning “gardens” or “meadows.”  This name reflects the city’s origins, as it is situated at the meeting point of the Wadis Ḥanīfah and Al-Baṭḥāʾ, which historically provided natural fertility to the area.  Riyadh’s landscape, a mix of desert

Abu Dhabi Then Abu Dhabi, the capital city of both the Abu Dhabi Emirate and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has a name steeped in both history and meaning.  The name “Abu Dhabi” translates to “Father of Gazelle” in Arabic, with “Abu” meaning “father” and “Dhabi” referring to a gazelle.  This name is believed to

Doha Then Doha, the capital city of Qatar, is situated on the eastern coast of the Qatar Peninsula, along the shores of the Persian Gulf.  The city’s name, “Doha,” is derived from the Arabic word dohat, meaning “roundness.”  This refers to the rounded shape of the bays that characterize the coastline around the city.  These

Ahmedabad Then Ahmedabad, a city in the eastern part of Gujarat, India, has a rich historical background.  The origins of the city are believed to date back to an early settlement known as Ashaval, which was likely established by the Bhil tribal group.  This is supported by archaeological finds and the writings of the Persian

Hyderabad Then Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana in south-central India, has a rich history reflected in its name and cultural evolution.  The name “Hyderabad” is believed to mean “Haydar’s City” or “Lion City,” derived from the Arabic words Haydar (lion) and ābād (city), referencing the bravery of Caliph Ali Ibn Abi Talib, also known

Bengaluru Then Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka state in southern India, has a rich history and significant cultural importance.  Originally known as Bangalore, the city’s name is derived from “Bengalūru,” a Kannada word referring to a village near Kodigehalli, which was used by Kempe Gowda when founding the city in 1537.  The anglicized version

Chennai Then Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is a major city located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in southern India.  Originally, the city was known as Madras, a name believed to have native origins.  Some scholars trace the name to Madraspattinam, a fishing village situated north of Fort St. George,

Fukuoka Then Fukuoka is a vibrant city and major port, serving as the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture in northern Kyushu, Japan.  Known for its rich blend of traditional and modern elements, Fukuoka is one of Japan’s most dynamic urban centers.  It has a strategic coastal location facing the Sea of Japan, making it a key

Nagoya Then Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture in central Honshu, Japan, is one of the country’s foremost industrial hubs, strategically situated at the head of Ise Bay. The city is often referred to by the name “Chūkyō,” meaning “middle capital” (from chū for “middle” and kyō for “capital”), which reflects its central location within