In what year did a Marxist coup lead Dahomey to rename itself Benin, rejecting its colonial-era name?

Geography

Dahomey abandoned its colonial name in 1975, renaming itself after an ancient kingdom. What is that country called today?

Bénin abandoned its colonial name Dahomey in 1975 after a Marxist coup, choosing the name of an ancient kingdom to reject its colonial past entirely.

Geography

Which country became the last in Africa to officially rename itself, switching from Swaziland to a new name in 2018?

Eswatini changed its name from Swaziland in 2018—the last African country to rename itself—specifically to avoid confusion with Switzerland in international dealings.

Geography

What was the colonial-era name of the Pacific island nation now called Vanuatu, used until its 1980 independence?

Vanuatu's original name New Hebrides was so tied to colonial rule that locals refused to use it; independence in 1980 brought an indigenous Bislama name instead.

Geography

Which country's government legally prohibits anyone from entering North Sentinel Island to protect its indigenous inhabitants?

North Sentinel Island's indigenous Sentinelese people remain officially uncontacted; India legally forbids entry, making it Earth's most isolated human population.

Geography

Which African country has the largest land area on the continent?

Algeria is so vast that it borders eleven countries — more than almost any other African nation — yet over 90% of its land is covered by the Sahara Desert.

Geography

What natural resource funded Nauru's wealth before poor investments like the musical 'Leonardo's Dream' helped bankrupt the country?

Nauru, a Pacific island nation, nearly went bankrupt after investing its phosphate wealth in a Australian musical 'Leonardo's Dream'—the show flopped immediately.