Discover the fascinating connection between four countries and the word 'Guinea'. While cities may share names, it is less common for countries to do so. But in this case, four countries proudly bear the name "Guinea". Let's reveal the story behind this intriguing phenomenon
Three of these countries are located in Africa: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea. A fourth country, Papua New Guinea, is located thousands of miles away in the Pacific Ocean. So how did these countries come to share the same name?
The exact origin of the word "Guinea" is still unknown. One theory suggests that it derives from the mid-15th century Portuguese word "Guiné", which describes the area south of the Senegal River along the coast of West Africa. Another theory connects it to the ancient city of Djenné in Mali, an important stop on the trans-Saharan gold trade route. It is believed that "Djenné" evolved into "Genawah", a term used to describe the people of West Africa.
Equatorial Guinea stands out among African countries using Spanish as an official language alongside French and Portuguese. The country was a Spanish colony from 1778 until 1968, and today, approximately 67% of its citizens speak Spanish.
The late 19th century saw a race between European nations known as the "Scramble for Africa". Spain, France and Portugal were among the powers vying for control of the Guinea region of West Africa. The lands were divided among them on the basis of their influence and control.
The countries we know today acquired their names during the 20th century when they gained their independence from European control. French Guinea retained the name Guinea after gaining independence in 1958. Spanish Guinea became Equatorial Guinea in 1963, and Portuguese Guinea took the name Guinea-Bissau, referring to its capital, Bissau, in 1974. Now, let's travel across the vast Indian Ocean to Papua New Guinea . In 1526, the Portuguese navigator Jorge de Meneses named part of the island "Ilas dos Papuas" because of the islanders' curly hair. Spanish explorer Inigo Ortiz de Retiz proclaimed another part of New Guinea, believing its inhabitants to be similar to those of Guinea on the African coast. From the complex history of colonization and exploration to linguistic influences and cultural connections, the word "Guinea" weaves a tapestry that spans continents and centuries. These four countries proudly bear the name, each with its own unique story.
