Don’t get confused: Austria, Australia, and other ‘look-alikes’

“Where did the phrase ‘there are no kangaroos in Austria’ come from? Who could even think that?” — any person who has completed the school curriculum should ask. However, similar names constantly cause confusion (though dissimilar ones do too, for example, Azerbaijan and Cambodia). Here’s a brief geographical overview of countries that are almost namesakes.

Austria and Australia

A classic, which spawned souvenir T-shirts with the inscription “No kangaroos in Austria”. And a meme about Salzburg airport having an entire information desk (or display board, details aren’t that important) for those who flew to Australia but arrived in Austria.

Austria (Austria) is a country in the heart of Europe. It’s the Alps and downhill skiing for active recreation fans, Mozart and the Vienna State Opera for aesthetes, Viennese strudel and Sacher cake for gastro-enthusiasts. You should go here if you love history and visiting museums, or snow and skiing.

Australia (Australia) is an entire continent in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s kangaroos, koalas, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Sydney Opera House. Everything is reversed here: when it’s winter for us, it’s hot summer for them. The main jokes about Australia are about how all local nature wants to get rid of humanity. Huge spiders live here, poisonous jellyfish swim in the sea, and they have parrots instead of our pigeons (but at least they don’t try to kill anyone, and thanks for that). People fly here for surfing, diving and the feeling of being at the edge of the world (because it really is).

Remember: Austria has the Alps and Vienna. AustraLia (with an “L”) has kangaroos and Sydney.

Switzerland and Sweden

Both countries start with “Sw…”, both are rich, clean, with a high standard of living, and both are in Europe. Well, that’s it, that’s enough for them to merge in tourists’ minds into “Switzeden”. Or something like that.

Switzerland (Switzerland) is a country of banks, watches, chocolate, and cheese. It is located in the center of Europe, nestled between France, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Four languages are spoken here (German, French, Italian, Romansh), and its main brand is the Alps. And it’s also where the Large Hadron Collider was built. So if you want to test the Standard Model of particle physics or some other fashionable theory, you’ll need to buy tickets to Geneva.

Sweden (Sweden) is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. It is the home of IKEA, ABBA, Volvo, and Karlsson. Here you will find Stockholm, spread across islands, meatballs, the Northern Lights, and Viking culture. It was from here that the fashion for minimalism and the dominance of white in interiors spread throughout the world, because in this northern country it is dark for most of the year, so Swedes prefer to decorate living spaces in lighter colors. People go to Sweden to see the Northern Lights, and for expensive watches and fondue — to Switzerland.

Remember: Sweden — where ABBA and IKEA are. Switzerland — where watches and banks are.

Slovakia and Slovenia

This is where even diplomats get confused. Both countries are small, cozy, Slavic, in Central Europe, and both gained independence in the 90s.

Slovakia (Slovakia) is a landlocked country and the eastern part of former Czechoslovakia. Its capital, Bratislava, is located on the Danube, just an hour’s drive from Vienna. Its main pride is the high Tatra Mountains.

Slovenia (Slovenia) is part of former Yugoslavia. And it has its own coastline — small, but very beautiful (because it simply can’t be otherwise on the Adriatic). The capital is charming Ljubljana. And the country’s main postcard is Lake Bled with a castle on a cliff and a church on an island.

Remember: in SloveNia — LjubljaNa, and in the movie “Eurotrip” the characters end up in BratislaVa, which is in SloVakia.

Iraq and Iran

Two countries in the Middle East whose names often appear in the news and sound very similar to the European ear.

Iraq (Iraq) is ancient Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The capital is Baghdad. The main language here is Arabic. This is the land where Babylon once stood and the first civilizations emerged. The situation here has been very tense for many years, it is dangerous for tourists to be in the country, so it is not worth including Baghdad in your plans.

Iran (Iran) is former Persia. One of the world’s oldest civilizations, centered in Tehran. Farsi (Persian language) is spoken here. Iran is famous for its incredible architecture (Isfahan mosques), poetry, and Persian carpets. Unlike its neighbor, Iran is open to tourists. However, the rules for recreation here are quite specific, so there aren’t many people eager to go to Kish Island, Shiraz, or ancient Persepolis.

Remember: IraN — Persia, TehraN, Farsi. IraQ — Mesopotamia, Baghdad, Arabic.

Dominica and Dominican Republic

Confusing these two Caribbean islands means dooming yourself to a completely different vacation.

The Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) is a resort country. It occupies two-thirds of the large island of Hispaniola (sharing it with the Republic of Haiti). The capital is Santo Domingo, the main language is Spanish. People fly here for all-inclusive resorts, the white sandy beaches of Punta Cana, palm trees, and fiery bachata. This destination is often chosen by newlyweds for their honeymoon, and it’s understandable why.

Dominica (Dominica) is a separate, much smaller island. The capital is Roseau, and locals speak English. People fly here not for beaches (there are almost none), but for wild nature. It is the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”: volcanoes, a boiling lake, hundreds of waterfalls, dense jungles, and hiking.

Remember: DominiCAN Republic — that’s what WE need for the beach. Dominica — for thrill-seekers.

Iceland and Ireland

Two islands in the North Atlantic, both green (despite Iceland’s name) and incredibly beautiful.

Iceland (Iceland) — is the “Land of Ice”. The capital is Reykjavik. Although there are ice and glaciers here (the largest in Europe), the main attractions in Iceland are volcanoes, geysers, lava fields, waterfalls, and the Blue Lagoon. It’s a harsh, alien beauty and equally alien names. Just consider “Eyjafjallajökull” — the name of a volcano that all Europeans stuck in airports had to learn when it began erupting in the spring of 2010.

Ireland (Ireland) — is the “Emerald Isle”. The capital is Dublin. It’s a country of shamrocks, pubs, Jameson whiskey, Guinness beer, and leprechauns. Many famous actors were born here — from Cillian Murphy to Pierce Brosnan. While traveling through the country, you will explore ancient castles, high cliffs, and endless green fields. And you’ll also have to prick up your ears to understand the pronunciation of the locals — their accent is very different from the English many are used to.

Remember: Iceland — geysers and volcanoes. Ireland — pubs and St. Patrick’s Day.

Tanzania and Tasmania

These two names are simply similar in sound but are located in diametrically opposite parts of the world.

Tanzania (Tanzania) is a country in East Africa. In recent years, it has become synonymous with the word “safari”. It is home to Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the paradise beach island of Zanzibar. Want to see the “Big Five”? You need to buy tickets to Dar es Salaam on Kupi.com.

Tasmania (Tasmania) is an island state south of Australia. It is home to the famous Tasmanian devil. People come here for unique nature, national parks, mountains, and excellent hiking away from civilization.

Remember: Tanzania — where the Maasai dance. Tasmania — where the Tasmanian devil is.

Lithuania and Latvia

Two Baltic neighbors, so often confused that they even get offended.

Latvia (Latvia) — is the one in the middle (between Lithuania and Estonia). Its capital is Riga, the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the Baltics, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture and Riga Black Balsam. The Soviet “Sherlock Holmes” was filmed here, and the “New Wave” competition was held in Jurmala for many years.

Lithuania (Lithuania) — is the one to the south. Its capital is Vilnius, with one of Europe’s largest Baroque Old Towns. The main attraction outside the capital is Trakai Island Castle.

Remember: the name “Latvia” is longer, so the name of its capital “Riga” is shorter. And for Lithuania, it’s the opposite.

Georgia (Country) and Georgia (US State)

As soon as you buy tickets on an international website, this problem appears. Both are — Georgia.

Georgia (Georgia) — is a country in the Caucasus, by the Black Sea. The capital is Tbilisi. It’s khinkali, khachapuri, ancient monasteries, qvevri wine, and incredible hospitality. Tourists go to Georgia to stroll through the streets of the Old Town, sunbathe on the beaches of Batumi, and drink a bottle of healthy Borjomi. It’s easy to find tickets here, and from here you can travel further — to Europe or Asia. A convenient and popular city for transfers.

Georgia (Georgia) — is a state in the southeastern USA. The capital is Atlanta (the birthplace of Coca-Cola). It’s American peaches, plantations from “Gone with the Wind”, and the birthplace of Ray Charles. Getting into the USA is difficult now (but possible), there are no direct flights, especially to Georgia.

Remember: check the airport code. TBS — is Tbilisi. ATL — is Atlanta (Georgia).

Armenia and Albania

Two ancient countries whose names start with “A” and are often confused in the minds of American politicians.

Armenia (Armenia) — is a landlocked country in the South Caucasus. The capital is Yerevan. It is one of the oldest Christian civilizations, famous for its monasteries (Tatev, Noravank), cognac, Lake Sevan, and views of biblical Ararat.

Albania (Albania) — is a country in the Balkans, on the shores of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The capital is Tirana. It is the “Balkan Maldives” — a country with incredibly beautiful and still affordable beaches, Ottoman heritage, and thousands of concrete bunkers.

Remember: Armenia — Ararat and monasteries. Albania — Balkans and beaches.

So next time you book a trip, take a second to check the map. The world is too interesting to accidentally fly to the wrong place!