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M$2.00  Funded By Mahalo ? |  April 20, 2009 10:41 PM

why do we use a "the" for "the Sudan" instead of just calling it "Sudan"?

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philipy philipy
 
 April 20, 2009 11:48 PM | view on twitter
There is a good discussion of it in this metafilter thread, which also links to other info:

http://ask.metafilter.com/112832/Why-is-Sudan-frequently-referred-to-with-an-article-as-in-the-Sudan

But basically after readign that info, (a) nowadays we often don't call it "the Sudan" but just "Sudan" and (b) the various theories that have been offered can all be shot down.

It may be as hard to explain as why we refer to "the Bronx" and "the Netherlands", but not "the Manhattan" or "the France". Even though the French themselves refer to "La France". :)


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Voted as best: williamwaco
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nativenerd nativenerd
 
April 20, 2009 11:34 PM | view on twitter
It comes from the long and proper name of the "Republic of Sudan". Over time this shortened down to just the Sudan. Same way as the US came from "the United States of America.
Source(s):
my head and what I've heard over the years...


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albanian albanian
 
April 21, 2009 02:10 AM - Fact Refuted
The long name is "The Republic of the Sudan". The question is why is it the Republic of the Sudan and not the Republic of Sudan?
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/su.html

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