Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for 6,600 Countries, Cities, Territories, Natural Features and Historic Sites: Origins and ... Natural Features and Historic Sites, 2d ed. - Softcover

Room, Adrian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786475250 ISBN 13: 9780786475254

Publisher: McFarland & Co, 2013

Synopsis

A placename is often much more than just a label. A name may bespeak the history of a nation, the culture of a people, or the hopes of an individual. Such connections are revealed in this very large reference work on placenames of the world, which offers an in-depth look at the origins of each. First published in 1997, the work in this new edition contains over 6,000 entries, including 1,000 new placenames from previously under-represented areas such as China and Japan. Entries cover natural features such as mountains, rivers and lakes as well as manmade entities such as cities and countries. Each entry includes the name of the feature; a brief description and its geographical location; and the origin of the name with relevant historical, biographical and topographical details.<br><br>Appendices give the meanings of common elements of non-English placenames (e.g., Abu, as in Abu Dhabi, means ""father of""); major placenames in European languages (e.g., Pays-Bas and Paesi Bassi are the French and Italian names, respectively, for what English speakers call the Netherlands); and transcribed Chinese-language equivalents for the names of the world's countries and capitals.

About this title

Review:

"excellent...outstanding"--Booklist; "highly recommended"--Choice; "useful...should be in all collections"--ARBA.

About the Author:

The late <strong>Adrian Room</strong> was a noted toponymist and onomastician. The author of more than 50 reference books about words and names, he lived in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Co
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0786475250
• ISBN 13: 9780786475254
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 440