Geographical names with and without the

UNIT 72   Geographical names with and without the

A.   Continents: We do not say the with the names of continents:

• Africa. (not the Africa)

• Asia.

• Europe.

• South America.

B.   Countries and states: We do not usually say the with the names of countries and states:

• France. (not the France)

• Japan.

• Germany.

• Nigeria.

• Texas.

But we say the with names that include words like ''republic,'' ''kingdom,'' ''States'':

• the Dominican Republic. 

• the Republic of Ireland.

• the United States. (of America)

• the People's Republicof China.

• the United Kingdom.

• the United Arab Emirates.

We also use the with plural names:

• the Netherlands.

• the Philippines.

C.   Cities: We do not use the with the names of cities/towns/villages:

• Cairo. (not the Cairo)

• New York.

• Madrid.

• Tokyo.

Exception: The Hague. (in the Netherlands)

D.   Islands:  Island groups usually have plural names with the:

• the Bahamas.

• the Canaries/the Canary Islands.

• the British Isles.

• the Virgin Islands.

Individual islands usually have singular names without the:

• Corfu.

• Sicily.

• Bermuda.

• Easter Island.                       

E.   Regions: We say:

• the Middle East.

• the Far East.

• the north of France.

• the south of Spain.

• the west of Canada.

(but: northern France/southern Spain/western Canada - without the)

F.   Mountains: Mountain ranges usually have plural names with the:

• the Rocky Mountains 

• the Rockies

• the Andes

• the Alps

But individual mountains usually have names without the:

• (Mount) Everest.

• (Mount) Fuji. 

• (Mount) Etna.

G.   Lakes: Lakes usually have names without the

• Lake Superior.

• Lake Victoria.

H.   Names of oceans/seas/rivers canals have the

• the Atlantic (Ocean).

• the Indian Ocean.

• the Mediterranean (Sea).

• the Red Sea.

• the (English) Channel.

• the Nile.

• the Amazon.

• the Mississippi.

• the Rhine.

• the Suez Canal.

• the Panama Canal.

Note: On maps the is not usually included in the name.

Place names with of usually have the:

• the Bay of Naples.

• the United States of America.

• the Gulf of Mexico.

• the Sea of Japan.