States with many cities starting with the same letter

Provided below is a list of states where many of the larger communities consistently start with the same letter of the alphabet. For many states, there is a single letter that is common, while for a few there are more than one example. For states with smaller populations, fewer city/town examples were necessary to show this consistency. Letters that has the most examples from states are:

S = 8 states

C = 7 states

B = 4 states

M, P, and W = 3 states each

Peace!

——-

ALABAMA – M

Mobile

Montgomery

Madison

Mountain Brook

Muscle Shoals

Midfield

Millbrook

Monroeville

ARIZONA – P

Pheonix

Peoria

Prescott

Prescott Valley

Paradise Valley

Payson

Page

Pinetop-Lakeside

Paulden

Picture Rocks

Parker

ARIZONA – S

Scottsdale

Surprise

San Tan Valley

Sun City

Sun City West

Sun Lakes

Sedona

Sahuarita

Sierra Vista

Somerton

San Luis

Show Low

Superior

CALIFORNIA – S

San Diego

San Jose

San Francisco

Sacramento

Stockton

Salinas

Santa Clara

Sunnyvale

Santa Rosa

Santa Ana

San Bernardino

Santa Barbara

Santa Monica

San Rafael

San Bruno

San Luis Obispo

Santa Clarita

San Leandro

Saratoga

Santa Cruz

Sant Maria

San Clemente

San Marcos

South San Francisco

Santee

Solvang

CONNECTICUT – N

New Haven

New London

New Britain

Norwalk

Norwich

Newington

Naugatuck

North Haven

FLORIDA – P

Port St. Lucie

Pembroke Pines

Palm Bay

Port Charlotte

Palm Coast

Pensacola

Pompano Beach

Palm Beach Gardens

Panama City

Punta Gorda

Plant City

Palm Harbor

Pinellas Park

Port Orange

Palm Beach

Pine Hills

Palm Valley

Pahokee

FLORIDA – S

St. Petersburg

Spring Hill

Sarasota

Sunrise

St. Cloud

Satellite Beach

Stuart

South Miami Heights

St. Pete Beach

South Miami

Southwest Ranches

Sunset

Sun City Center

Sweetwater Creek

GEORGIA – A

Atlanta

Augusta

Athens

Albany

Alpharetta

Austell

Acworth

Auburn

GEORGIA – S

Savannah

South Fulton

Sandy Springs

Stockbridge

Smyrna

Snellville

Statesboro

St. Marys

Sugar Hill

St. Simons

Skidaway Island

Sylvester

HAWAII – K

Kailua

Kane’ohe

Kapolei

Kahalu’u

Ka’a’awa

Kapa’a

Kekaha

Kahului

Kailua

Kihei

Kaunakakai

HAWAII – W

Waipahu

Wahiawa

Wailukuo

Wailuku

Whitmore Village

Waimanalo

Waimanalo Beach

Waimea

Wailua

ILLINOIS – C

Chicago

Champaign

Chicago Heights

Carol Stream

Cicero

Crystal Lake

Carpentersville

Carbondale

Collinsville

Calumet City

Centralia

Countryside

Creve Coeur

Columbia

Chatham

Cahokia Heights

INDIANA – G

Gary

Greenwood

Goshen

Griffith

Granger

Greenfield

Greencastle

Greensburg

Gas City

IOWA – D

Des Moines

Davenport

Dubuque

Decorah

De Witt

Denison

IOWA – C

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Falls

Coralville

Council Bluffs

Clive

Clinton

Charles City

MAINE – B

Bangor

Biddeford

Brunswick

Bath

Brewer

Bar Harbor

MASSACHUSETTS = B

Boston

Brookline

Brockton

Braintree

Billerica

Barnstable

Beverly

MASSACHUSETTS – L

Lowell

Lynn

Lawrence

Leominster

Lexington

MASSACHUSETTS – W

Worcester

Waltham

Wellesley

West Springfield

Westfield

Woburn

Weymouth

Watertown

Weston

MINNESOTA – M

Minneapolis

Minnetonka

Maple Grove

Maplewood

Mendota Heights

Mankato

Moorhead

Mound

Montevideo

MISSISSIPPI – G

Gulfport

Greenville

Greenwood

Grenada

Gautier

MISSOURI – S

St. Louis

Springfield

St. Peters

St. Charles

St. Ann

St. Joseph

Spanish Lake

Sikeston

Sedalia

Sunset Hills

MONTANA – B

Billings

Bozeman

Butte

Belgrade

Bigfork

NEW MEXICO – A

Albuquerque

Alamogordo

Artesia

Alameda

Armijo

Aztec

NORTH CAROLINA – C

Charlotte

Cary

Concord

Chapel Hill

Carrboro

Clemmons

Conover

Cherryville

Cornelius

OHIO – C

Columbus

Cleveland

Cincinnati

Canton

Cuyahoga Falls

Chillicothe

Circleville

Conneaut

Cleveland Heights

Coschoton

Canal Fulton

Clyde

Cheviot

PENNSYLVANIA – P

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Pottstown

Pottsville

Phoenixville

Plum

Pleasant Hills

Pittston

Paoli

Plymouth Meeting

Punksutawney

SOUTH CAROLINA – C

Charleston

Columbia

Camden

Clemson

Cayce

Chester

Centerville

TENNESSEE – C

Chattanooga

Clarksville

Cleveland

Cookeville

Collierville

Columbia

Crossville

Clinton

Colonial Heights

TEXAS – A

Austin

Arlington

Amarillo

Abilene

Allen

Angleton

Aransas Pass

Atascocita

Alpine

Addison

Andrews

Alamo

Alamo Heights

TEXAS – S

San Antonio

San Marcos

Sugar Land

San Angelo

Spring

Socorro

Schertz

Seguin

Southlake

San Juan

Sherman

San Benito

Sweetwater

Sunnyvale

Seabrook

Sulphur Springs

UTAH – S

Salt Lake City

St. George

Sandy

Spanish Fork

Springville

South Jordan

Syracuse

South Ogden

Sunset

Saratoga Springs

South Weber

South Salt Lake

VERMONT – B

Burlington

Barre

Brattleboro

Bennington

VIRGINIA – C

Chesapeake

Charlottesville

Christiansburg

Culpeper

Centreville

Chantilly

Colonial Heights

Cave Spring

Cherry Hill

Chester

WASHINGTON – S

Seattle

Spokane

Spokane Valley

SeaTac

Shoreline

Sammamish

Snohomish

Snoqualmie

South Hill

Sedro-Wooley

Sequim

Skyway

WISCONSIN – M

Milwaukee

Madison

Menominee Falls

Manitowoc

Middleton

Monona

Mequon

Menasha

Menomonie

Merrill

Marshfield

Marinette

WISCONSIN – W

Wauwatosa

Waukesha

West Allis

Wausau

West Bend

Whitefish Bay

Watertown

Wisconsin Rapids

Whitewater

SOURCES:

• personal knowledge
• 2025 Rand McNally Road Atlas
• en.wikipedia.org for cities and towns un each state

#alphabet #cities #fun #geography #history #language #placeNames #states #stats #towns

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-12/tasmanian-palawa-kani-place-names-change/104913992

#firstNations #Lutruwita (aka #Tasmania) #PalawaKani #PlaceNames

World’s largest “burg,” “burgh,” or “bourg” suffix cities – 2025 REW

By far the longest and most geographically diverse list to date identifies cities and towns of 10,000 residents or more whose name contains the suffix of “burg,” “burgh,” or “bourg.”  Cities/towns for four (4) continents are represented – Europe, North America, Africa, and Yekaterinburg, Russia, which is located east of the Ural Mountains and therefore is considered to be situated in Asia.

Given the number of places represented, it is somewhat surprising that variations of Middle(el)burg and New(Neu)burg lead the list with but four (4) examples each, followed by Petersburg and Pittsburg(h) with three (3) cities/towns each.

The updated list now includes the most recent population estimates (if known) and the new ranking for each city. Those that have changed position show the extent of the change in parenthesis. Since the original December 2019 post, the following cities have moved the most positions up or down on the list:

Upward:

1. Lichtenburg, South Africa +43
2. Fouriesburg, South Africa +30 (due to a numerical transposing error in 2019)
3. Lydenburg, South Africa +28
4. Middelburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa +18
5. Rexburg, Idaho +15
6. Brownsburg, Indiana +12

Downward

1. Korneuburg, Austria -10
2. ( tie)Vicksburg, Mississippi and Ellensburg, Washington – 9 each

Peace!

——-

1. Johannesburg, South Africa = 5,635,127 (2019) > 6,444,580 (2025 est.) #1 in 2025
2. Saint Petersburg, Russia = 5,351,935 (2018 est.) > 5,597,340 (2025 est.) #2
3. Hamburg, Germany = 1,822,445 (2018) > 1,787,710 (2025 est.) #3
4. Yekaterinburg, Russia = 1,468,833 (2018 est.) > 1,537,000 (2025 est.)  #4
5. Rustenburg, South Africa = 626,522 (2016) > 607,955 (2025 est.) #5
6. Gothenburg, Sweden = 575,597 (2018) > 643,993 (2025 est.) #6
7. Orenburg, Russia = 564,773 (2018 est.) > 570,039 (2025 est.) #7
8. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK = 518,500 (2018) > 563,564 (2025 est.) #8
9. Duisburg, Germany = 498,590 (2018) > 528,993 (2025 est.) #10 (-1)
10. Randburg, South Africa = 337,053 (2011) — Now part of Johannesburg.**
11. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania = 301,048 (2018 est.) > 303,572 (2025 est.) #14 (-3)
12. Augsburg, Germany = 295,135 (2018) > 338,747 (2025 est.) #13 (-1)
13. Strasbourg, France = 279,284 (2016) > 489,811 (2025 est.) #11 (+2)
14. St. Petersburg, Florida = 265,098 (2018 est.) > 266, 411 (2025 est.) #16 (-2)
15. Boksburg, South Africa = 260,321 (2011) — Now part of Ekurhuleni.**
16. Magdeburg, Germany = 238,697 (2018) > 255,790 (2025 est.) #17 (-1)
17. Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany = 230,241 (2018) > 274,408 (2025 est.) #15 (+2)
18. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa = 223,448 (2011) > 560,879 (2025 est.) #9 (+9)
19. Oldenburg, Germany = 163,210 (2018) > 181,461 (2025 est.) #18 (+1)
20. Salzburg, Austria = 153,377 (2018) > 152,675 (2025 est.) #21 (-1)
21. Sasolburg, South Africa = 153,038 (2011) > 179,425 (2025 est.) #19 (+2)
22. Regensburg, Germany = 152,610 (2018) > 174,014 (2025 est.) #20 (+2)
23. Würzburg, Germany = 127,880 (2018) > 126,325 (2025 est.) #24 (-1)
24. Wolfsburg, Germany = 124,151 (2018) > 134,809 (2025 est.) #23 (+1)
25. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg = 116,323 (2018) > 136,208 (2025) #22 (+3)
26. Rustenburg, South Africa = 104,612 (2011) (repeat)
27. Edinburg, Texas = 98,665 (2018 est.) > 109,191 (2025 est.) #25 (+2)
28. Ludwigsburg, Germany = 93,499 (2018) > 94,157 (2022 est.) #27 (+1)
29. Flensburg, Germany = 89,504 (2018) > 92,550 (2022 est.) #28 (+1)
30. Middelburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa = 87,348 (2011) > 388,907 (2025 est.) #12 (+18)
31. Lynchburg, Virginia = 82,126 (2018 est.) > 79,905 (2025 est.) #30 (+1)
32. Marburg, Germany = 76,851 (2018) > 77,845 (2022 est.) #31 (+1)
33. Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany = 73,939 (2023 est.) – Thank you, Mike H.! #35 (-2)
34. Schaumburg, Illinois = 73,509 (2018 est.) > 73,970 (2025 est.) #34
35. Pittsburg, California = 72,437 (2018 est.) > 75,435 (2025 est.) #33 (+2)
36. Aschaffenburg, Germany = 70,527 (2018) > 72,918 (2025 est.) #36
37. Gaithersburg, Maryland = 68,289 (2018 est.) > 69,615 (2025 est.) #37
38. Neubrandenburg, Germany = 64,086 (2018) > 64,390 (2023 est.) #38
39. Offenburg, Germany = 59,646 (2018) > 61,670 (2022 est.) #39
40. Queensburgh, South Africa = 54,846 (2011) — no update #40
41. Harrisonburg, Virginia = 54,033 (2018 est.) > 50,666 (2025 est.) #42 (-1)
42. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania = 49,229 (2018 est.) > 49,957 (2025 est.) #43 (-1)
43. Middelburg, Netherlands = 48,265 (2017) > 48,964 (2021 est.) #44 (-1)
44. Hattiesburg, Mississippi = 45,951 (2018 est.) > 48,199 (2025 est.) #45 (-1)
45. Blacksburg, Virginia = 44,678 (2018 est.) > 45,972 (2025 est.) #47 (-2)
46. Oranienburg, Germany = 44,512 (2018) > 47,752 (2022 est.) #46
47. Siegburg, Germany = 41,463 (2018) > 42,274 (2023 est.) #48 (-1)
48. Coburg, Germany = 41,249 (2018) > 42,139 (2023 est.) #49 (-1)
49. Ficksburg, South Africa = 41,248 (2011) > 50,998 (2025 est.) #41 (+8)
50. Fitchburg, Massachusetts = 40,882 (2018 est.) > 41,515 (2025 est.) #50
51. Fribourg, Switzerland = 38,358 (2018) — no update #55 (-4)
52. Reynoldsburg, Ohio = 38,278 (2018 est.) > 41,333 (2025 est.) #51 (+1)
53. Neu-Isenburg, Germany = 37,668 (2018) > 39,287 (2022 est.) #54 (-1)
54. Papenburg, Germany = 37,579 (2018) > 38,556 (2022 est.) #55 (-1)
55. Lydenburg, South Africa = 37,258 (2011) > 94,059 (2025 est.) #27 (+28)
56. Spartanburg, South Carolina = 37,013 (2010) > 39,328 (2025 est.) #53 (+3)
57. Cloppenburg,Germany = 34,913 (2018) > 37,056 (2022 est.) #56 (+1)
58. Merseburg, Germany = 34,080 (2018) > 34,335 (2022 est.) #58
59. Ahrensburg, Germany = 33,472 (2018) > 34,509 (2022 est.) #57 (+2)
60. Bernburg, Germany = 32,674 (2018) > 32,261 (2022 est.)b #63 (-3)
61. Naumburg, Germany = 32,402 (2018) > 32,289 (2022 est.) #62 (-1)
62. Petersburg, Virginia = 31,567 (2018 est.) > 33,251 (2025 est.) #60 (+2)
63. Nienburg, Lower Saxony, Germany = 31,550 (2018) > 32,126 (2022 est.) #64 (-1)
64. Fitchburg, Wisconsin = 30,170 (2018 est.) > 33,142 (2025 est.) #61 (+3)
65. Parkersburg, West Virginia = 29,675 (2018 est.) > 28,599 (2025 est.) #67 (-2)
66. Fredericksburg, Virginia = 29,144 (2018 est.) > 29,552 (2025 est.) #66
67. Rexburg, Idaho = 28,687 (2018 est.) > 40,344 (2025 est.) #52 (+15)
68. Rendsburg, Germany = 28,470 (2018) > 29,743 (2022 est.) #65 (+3)
69. Newburgh, New York = 28,164 (2018 est.) > 27,880 (2025 est.) #68 (+1)
70. Klosterneuburg, Austria = 26,466 (2015) > 27,726 (2025 est.) #69 (+1)
71. Brownsburg, Indiana = 26,367 (2018 est.) > 34,296 (2025 est.) #59 (+12)
72. Lichtenburg, South Africa = 26,338 (2011) > 85,943 (2025 est.) #29 (+43)
73. Quedlinburg, Germany = 23,989 (2018) > 23,313 (2022 est.) #76 (-3)
74. Bedburg, Germany = 23,531 (2018) > 25,196 (2023 est.) #70 (-4)
75. Waldkraiburg, Germany = 23,442 (2018) > 24,604 (2023 est.) #72 (+3)
76. Roseburg, Oregon = 23,379 (2018 est.) > 23,983 (2025 est.) #73 (+3)
77. Dillenburg, Germany = 23,365 (2018) > 23,480 (2022 est.) #74 (+3)
78. Warburg, Germany = 23,079 (2018) > 23,317 (2023 est.) #75 (+3)
79. Christiansburg, Virginia = 22,505 (2018 est.) > 22,024 (2025 est.) #79
80. Vicksburg, Mississippi = 22,136 (2018 est.) > 19,343 (2025 est.) #89 (-9)
81. Bad Harzburg, Germany = 21,945 (2018) > 21,738 (2022 est.) #81
82. Amherstburg, Ontario = 21,936 (2016) > 24,877 (2025 est.) #71 (+9)
83. Rotenburg an der Wümme, Germany = 21,798 (2018) > 22,656 (2022 est.) #77 (+6)
84. Vryburg, South Africa = 21,182 (2011) — no update #82 (+2)
85. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania = 21,029 (2018 est.) > 22,484 (2025 est.) #78 (+7)
86. Ellensburg, Washington = 20,977 (2018 est.) > 18,233 (2025 est.) #95 (-9)
87. Günzburg, Germany = 20,707 (2018) > 21,865 (2023 est.) #80 (+7)
88. Pittsburg, Kansas = 20,178 (2018 est.) > 20,424 (2025 est.) #83 (+5)
89. Miamisburg, Ohio = 19,941 (2018 est.) > 19,748 (2025 est.) #86 (+3)
90. Blankenburg, Germany = 19,817 (2018) > 19,161 (2022 est.) #90
91. Plattsburgh, New York = 19,438 (2018 est.) > 19,898 (2025 est) #85 (+6)
92. Bückeburg, Germany = 19,245 (2018) > 19,701 (2022 est.) #87 (+5)
93. Bad Driburg, Germany = 19,002 (2018) > 18,830 (2023 est.) #93
94. Middelburg, Eastern Cape, South Africa = 18,861 (2011) — no change #92 (-2)
95. Moosburg, Germany = 18,510 (2018) > 20,027 (2023 est.) #84 (+11)
96. Martinsburg, West Virginia = 17,465 (2018 est.) > 19,042 (2025 est.) #91 (+5)
97. Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands =16,416 (2017) > 16,365 (2021 est.) #96 (+1)
98. Tilsonburg, Ontario = 15,872 (2016) > 18,615 (2021) #94 (+4)
99. Steffisburg, Switzerland = 15,709 (2018) — no change #98 (+1)
100. Dieburg, Germany = 15,679 (2018) > 15,699 (2022 est.) #99 (+1)
101. Dillenburg, Germany = 15,583 (2018) repeat
102. Middleburg Heights, Ohio = 15,540 (2018 est.) > 15,337 (2025 est.) #102
103. Clarksburg, West Virginia = 15,480 (2018 est.) > 15,135 (2025 est.) #103
104. Neustadt bei Coburg, Germany = 15,257 (2018) > 15,089 (2023 est.) #104
105. Mainburg, Germany = 15,241 (2018) = 15,517 (2023 est.) #100 (+5)
106. Laurinburg, North Carolina = 15,033 (2018 est.) > 14,967 (2025 est.) #105 (-1)
107. Williamsburg, Virginia = 14,896 (2018 est.) > 16,171 (2025 est.) #97 (+10)
108. Rotenburg an der Fulda, Germany = 14,676 (2018) > 14,066 (2022 est.) #108
109. Ratzeburg, Germany = 14,652 (2018) > 15,553 (2022 est.) #99 (+10)
110. Shlisselburg, Russia = 14,425 (2018 est.) — no change #106 (+4)
111. Phillipsburg, New Jersey = 14,303 (2018 est.) > 15,397 (2025 est.) #101 (+10)
112. Greensburg, Pennsylvania = 14,192 (2018 est.) > 14,403 (2025 est.) #107 (+5)
113. Orangeburg, South Carolina = 13,964 (2010) > 13,353 (2025 est.) #113
114. Bedburg-Hau, Germany = 13,643 (2023 est.) #111 (+3)
115. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania = 13,919 (2018 est.) > 13,391 (2025 est.) #112 (+3)
116. Philippsburg, Germany = 13,615 (2018) > 13,882 (2022 est.) #109 (+7)
117. Weilburg, Germany = 12,990 (2018) > 13,334 (2022 est.) #114 (+3)
118. Fouriesburg, South Africa = 19,425 (2011) — no change but erroneous number #88 (+30)
119. Wasserburg am Inn, Germany = 12,691 (2018) > 13,112 (2023 est.) #115 (+4)
120. Korneuburg, Austria = 12,552 (2015) > 13,764 (2025 est.) #110 (-10)
121. Frohburg, Germany= 12,470 (2018) > 12,305 (2022 est.) #119 (+2)
122. Vilsbiburg, Germany = 12,074 (2018) > 12,621 (2023 est.) #116 (+6)
123. Greensburg, Indiana = 11,916 (2018 est.) > 12,385 (2025 est.) #118 (+5)
124. Ladenburg, Germany = 11,537 (2018) > 12,517 (2022 est.) #117 (+7)
125. Lauenburg, Germany = 11,444 (2018) > 11,855 (2022 est.) #122(+3)
126. Scottburgh, South Africa = 11,403 (2011) –no update #124 (+2)
127. Fredericksburg, Texas = 11,369 (2017 est.) > 11,889 (2025 est.) #123 (+4)
128. Ventersburg, South Africa = 11,260 (2011) — no update #126 (+2)
129. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany = 11,243 (2018) > 11,385 (2023 est.) #125 (+4)
130. Hammelburg, Germany = 11,037 (2018) > 10,826 (2023 est.) #128 (+2)
131. Lawrenceburg, Tennessee = 10,838 (2018 est.) > 12,224 (2025 est.) #120 (+11)
132. Boizenburg, Germany = 10,724 (2018) > 10,881 (2023 est.) #127 (+5)
133. Bad Iburg, Germany = 10,661 (2018) > 10,559 (2022 est.) #130 (+3)
134. Lenzburg, Switzerland = 10,569 (2018) — no update #129 (+5)
135. Ogdensburg, New York = 10,551 (2018 est.) > 8,928 (2025 est.) dropped below the minimum for this list
136. East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania = 10,384 (2018 est.) > 8,626 (2025 est.) dropped below the minimum for this list
137. Wallaceburg, Ontario = 10,098 (2016) > 10,323 (2021) #131 (+6)

SOURCES:

• en.wikipedia.org for each country, state, province, and city
• maps.google.com
• Rand McNally Road Atlas
• personal knowledge
• https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities

#1 #10 #100 #101 #102 #103 #104 #105 #106 #107 #108 #109 #11 #110 #111 #112 #113 #114 #115 #116 #117 #118 #119 #12 #120 #121 #122 #123 #124 #125 #126 #127 #128 #129 #13 #130 #131 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 #19 #2 #20 #21 #22 #23 #24 #25 #26 #27 #28 #29 #3 #30 #31 #32 #33 #34 #35 #36 #37 #38 #39 #4 #40 #41 #42 #43 #44 #45 #46 #47 #48 #49 #5 #50 #51 #52 #53 #54 #55 #56 #57 #58 #59 #6 #60 #61 #62 #63 #64 #65 #66 #67 #68 #69 #7 #70 #71 #72 #73 #74 #75 #76 #77 #78 #79 #8 #80 #81 #82 #83 #84 #85 #86 #87 #88 #89 #9 #90 #91 #92 #93 #94 #95 #96 #97 #98 #980 #99 #bourg #burg #burgh #cities #etymology #history #placeNames #toponymy #towns

And here's Crumlin Valley, just outside Cornamóna (Corr na Móna, "pointed hill of the bog"). In the distance to the left is Corcóg, in the Maamturk mountains, which I went up a few weeks ago

#hiking #Ireland #Connemara #placenames #mountains #hills #outdoors #landscape #LandscapePhotography

AFP: ‘West Philippine Sea’ now visible on Google Maps without specific search. “A Google Maps scan on Monday of the body of water directly west of the Philippines now shows a name once invisible to most users—the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine government’s preferred name for the disputed waterway better known as the South China Sea was previously viewable only if specifically sought by […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/04/16/afp-west-philippine-sea-now-visible-on-google-maps-without-specific-search/

The Conversation: Is Google Maps brainwashing us? It might be if the theory of ‘extended cognition’ is correct. “When compared to how common it is for the Google search engine to boost misinformation and fake news, and feed into confirmation bias, changing the name of a body of water might not seem like a big deal. But the philosophical theory of ‘extended cognition’ suggests such changes […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/04/01/the-conversation-is-google-maps-brainwashing-us-it-might-be-if-the-theory-of-extended-cognition-is-correct/

#geograhy #PlaceNames

"Place names are more than just labels on a map. They influence how people learn about the world around them and perceive their place in it.

Names can send messages and suggest what is and isn’t valued in society. And the way that they are changed over time can signal cultural shifts.

The United States is in the midst of a place-renaming moment. From the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, to the return of Forts Bragg and Benning and the newly re-renamed Mount McKinley in Alaska’s Denali National Park, we are witnessing a consequential shift in the politics of place naming.

This sudden rewriting of the nation’s map—done to 'restore American greatness,' according to President Donald Trump’s executive order that made some of them official—is part of a name game that recognizes place names as powerful brands and political tools."

https://www.fastcompany.com/91306390/americas-place-renaming-moment-impacts-people

The Guardian: From Meanjin to Warrane, Apple Maps adds more than 250 Indigenous placenames in Australia. “Millions of Australians will be able to request directions from Warrane (Sydney Cove) to Meanjin (Brisbane), tracing the original custodians of the land along the way, via a new feature on one of the world’s leading navigational apps. In a major collaboration with Indigenous groups, […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/03/28/the-guardian-from-meanjin-to-warrane-apple-maps-adds-more-than-250-indigenous-placenames-in-australia/

#866 M.C.S. Cruwys (ed) - Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, Vol XXX - Part II. The Devonshire Press, Torquay, April 1965. #Devon #Cornwall #DCNQ #MargaretCruwys #Archives #History #Genealogy #PlaceNames #BookOfTheDay

World’s most populous “palm” 🌴 cities

The following list identifies the most populous cities and towns around the globe that include “palm” in their name. Only those related to palm trees and palmettos are included and not names like “Palmer.” A minimum population of 5,000 resident was required for inclusion. Peace!

1. Palma (de Mallorca), Spain = 401,270 (2024 est.)

2. Las Palmas de la Gran Canaria, Spain = 381,847 (2024 est.)

3. Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil = 306,296 (2020)

4. Palmdale, CA, USA = 158,907 (2024 est.)

5. Palm Bay, FL, USA = 140,700 (2024 est.)

6. West Palm Beach, FL, USA = 126,337 (2024 est.)

7. Palm Coast, FL, USA = 106,237 (2024 est.)

8. Palma, Mozambique = 75,000 (?)

9. Palm Harbor, FL, USA = 62,281 (2024 est.)

10. Palm Beach Shores, FL, USA = 61,782 (2024 est.)

11. Palm Desert, CA, USA= 52,202 (2024 est.)

12. Palm Springs, CA, USA = 45,404 (2024 est.)

13. Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA = 39,652 (2024 est.)

14. Várzea da Palma, Brazil = 39,803 (2020)

15. La Palma, Cuba = 33,352 (2022)

16. Twentynine Palms, CA, USA = 28,956 (2024 est.)

17. Palm Springs, FL, USA = 27,213 (2024 est.)

18. Palm City, FL, USA = 26,430 (2024 est.)

19. Palm River-Clair Mel, FL, USA = 26,213 (2024 est.)

20. Palmetto Bay, FL, USA = 24,243 (2024 est.)

21. La Palma, El Salvador = 24,000 (2006)

22. Palma di Montechiaro, Italy = 22,654 (2024 est.)

23. Palma di Montechiaro, Italy = 22,633 (2017)

24. Palm Valley, FL, USA = 19,724 (2024 est.)

25. Leca da Palmeira, Portugal = 17,996 (2024 est.)

26. Palmetto Estates, FL USA = 17,316 (2024 est.)

27. Palmela, Portugal = 16,934 (2024 est.)

28. Palma Campania, Italy = 16,489 (2019)

29. Palmview, TX, USA = 15,886 (2024 est.)

30. Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain = 15,674 (2021)

31. La Palma, CA, USA = 15,581 (2020)

32. Palmetto FL, USA = 13,660 (2024 est.)

33. North Palm Beach, FL , USA = 13,081 (2024 est.)

34. Valle de las Palmas, Baja California, Mexico = 10,161 (2020)

35. Palm Beach, FL, USA = 9,262 (2024 est.)

36. Thousand Palms, CA, USA = 8,330 (2024 est.)

37. La Palma, Colombia = 7,708 (2018)

38.Palma Sola, Santa Catarina, Brazil = 7,372 (2020)

39. Palma, Minas Gerais, Brazil = 6,611 (2020 est.)

40. Las Palmas, Argentina = 6,593 (2001)

41. Desert Palms, CA, USA = 6,324 (2024 est.)

SOURCES:

• https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/florida
• https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/california
• https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/texas
• https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/spain
• https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/italy
• https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/portugal
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palma_Campania
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palma_di_Montechiaro
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_de_La_Palma#:~:text=Santa%20Cruz%20de%20la%20Palma%20(Spanish%20for%20Holy%20Cross%20of,Official%20website
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palma,_Mozambique
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palma,_Minas_Gerais
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Palma,_Cundinamarca
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Palma,_Cuba
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Palma,_El_Salvador
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Palma,_California
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Palmas,_Chaco
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmas,_Tocantins
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palma_Sola,_Santa_Catarina
• https://www.citypopulation.de/en/mexico/bajacalifornia/tijuana/020041977__valle_de_las_palmas/

#cities #placeNames #tourism #towns #travel

Curious local placename I mapped today, sheer coincidence that I learned the name and understood the etymology, because I had tried the wild garlic 10mins earlier. It used to mark a popular fishing spot as well. #logainm #placenames #placenamesmatter #opendata #oralhistory
https://osmand.net/map?pin=52.34837,-7.32303#20/52.34837/-7.32303

Do any of the #gaeilgeori have an idea what the meaning of Arregcrehan for a standing/ boundary stone could be? It's mentioned in a 1580s-90s document for Co. Kilkenny. The -crehan bit is part of another place name in the same text (Knockcrehan). The text itself is in English. I have not located either exactly; they're somewhere near Listerlin. #Irish #gaeilge #placenames #logainm #Gaeilgeoir

#Placenames #hill-shapes
-dun

Our ancestors named features in the landscape carefully and precisely, and navigated by such features.
Margaret Gelling was my favourite aunt, and studied and wrote much about this.

It is at least slightly interesting, if you have any bits of countryside to pass through or look at, or live in.

#PlaceNames #English #book #Landscape

Noyes (is that no-yes?*) used to be an important road border crossing from the ox road days on, says the Wikipedia, but has been superseded by the freeway a few miles west, over in North Dakota.

"Today, Noyes is essentially a quiet community."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noyes,_Minnesota

*No; Noyes was named for a customs agent.

#PlaceNames #frontiers #Minnesota

Google Maps has history of appeasing govts who want names, borders shown differently. Often it shows different versions to people in different countries, and says it will do that here too.

https://www.voanews.com/a/google-maps-to-rename-gulf-of-mexico-to-gulf-of-america-for-us-users/7952630.html

#toponymy #geography #maps #mapping #cartography #geopolitics #GulfOfMexico #GulfOfAmerica #NorthAmerica #placenames #nomenclature @geography @geopolitics

Can Trump just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico? A geographer explains who decides what goes on the map
#Politics #PlaceNames #Geography #DonaldTrump #Denali #GulfOfMexico #Renaming #Mapping #InternationalRelations
#USA #ExecutiveOrder
https://the-14.com/can-trump-just-order-new-names-for-denali-and-the-gulf-of-mexico-a-geographer-explains-who-decides-what-goes-on-the-map/

#GulfOfMexico or #GulfOfAmerica? Competitive renaming of seawater is actually already a thing in #geopolitics: See Arabian / #PersianGulf, #SeaOfJapan / #EastSea, #SouthChinaSea / #WestPhilippineSea. But it implies the country doing the renaming feels threatened by equal or more powerful neighbor.

#geography #hydrology #maritime #nautical #ocean #toponymy #placenames #naming @geography @geopolitics

In interesting show of restraint, #USA president's order to change "#GulfOfMexico" to "#GulfOfAmerica" on govt maps seems to specify that only the part under US jurisdiction is being renamed.

(Order also renames "#Denali" back to "#MountMcKinley")

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-names-that-honor-american-greatness/

#toponymy #geography #mapping #hydrology #UNCLOS #maritime #names #policy #geography #GIS #placenames #Alaska #GulfCoast #nautical #hydrology #GNIS @geography @geopolitics

“Perhaps the executive order will lead to paper maps and student handbooks showing the Gulf of America in the United States. To the rest of the world — including the US military that adheres to international naming conventions — it'll be the Gulf of Mexico.”

#Politics #USPolitics #Maps #Geography #PlaceNames #GulfOfMexico #AppleMaps

https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/01/21/apple-maps-still-calls-it-the-gulf-of-mexico-and-politicians-are-upset