Countries

Netherlands is a European country located in Western Europe, commonly referred to by its official name, the Netherlands. It is bordered by Belgium, Germany, and the North Sea, and is known for its flat landscape, canals, and major international cities. The term also includes its constituent political entities, including its provinces and its international identity as a modern, highly developed nation.

Nicaragua is a proper noun referring to the Central American country. It is typically pronounced with four syllables and stress on the third: ni-ca-ra-GUA. In English usage it denotes the nation, its people, language, and geography, and is often encountered in political, travel, and cultural contexts.

Niger is a proper noun referring to a country in West Africa (Nigér) or, less commonly, to a river of the same name. It is used as a geopolitical label and in informal discussion about West Africa. The word carries regional and historical associations and should be pronounced with careful attention to syllable stress and vowel quality to avoid mispronunciation in international contexts.

Nigeria is a country in West Africa, bordered by Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The name refers to the Niger River region and is commonly used in geopolitical, cultural, and economic contexts. In everyday speech, it’s pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable in “Ni-GER-ia.”

Norway is a proper noun referring to the Nordic country located in Northern Europe, known for its fjords, welfare state, and strong maritime history. In everyday speech, it denotes either the country itself or the people and language associated with it. The term is used in geopolitical, cultural, and travel contexts and is typically capitalized.

Oman is a proper noun referring to the country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is also used as an ethnonym for its people and, in some contexts, as an adjective relating to the country (as in Omanian). In pronunciation, it is a two-syllable word with stress typically on the first syllable, and a short, unstressed second syllable.

Palau is a Pacific island nation consisting of hundreds of coral and volcanic islands. It is known for its pristine lagoons and unique biodiversity. As a proper noun referring to a country, its pronunciation carries a light, two-syllable cadence often stressed on the second syllable in English usage.

Panama is a proper noun referring to a Central American country, commonly used in political, travel, and cultural contexts. As a two-syllable word with a final stress on the second syllable in English, it functions as a place name and often appears in phrases like Panama Canal, Panamanian, or Panamanian currency. Its pronunciation centers on clear syllable-timed rhythm and accurate vowel quality for non-native speakers.

Paraguay is a landlocked South American nation whose name is commonly used to refer to the country or its people and culture. In English, the word is pronounced as a four-syllable place name with stress on the second syllable, reflecting its Spanish origin. The term appears in geopolitical contexts, travel, and media discussions about Latin America.

Peru is a proper noun referring to the Andean country in western South America. It denotes the nation and its people, culture, and geography, and is used in scholarly, travel, and news contexts. The word is pronounced with two syllables, emphasizing the first syllable, and starts with a clear /p/ followed by a mid vowel, ending with a light /u/ or /uː/ sound.

Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago and sovereign nation comprising over 7,000 islands. The term refers to the country in a geopolitical sense, as well as its people and culture. In pronunciation, it is a two-syllable word with primary stress on the second syllable, often pronounced as FIH-luh-peens by many English speakers.

Portugal is a proper noun referring to the southwestern European country on the Iberian Peninsula. It denotes a distinct nation with its own language, culture, and history. In conversation, it’s used to identify the country, its people (Portuguese), and things associated with it, such as places, cuisine, and politics.

Qatar is a Southeast Asian-referenced country name used as a noun for the nation-state on the Arabian Peninsula. In English, it is most commonly pronounced as a two-syllable word with the stress on the first syllable, and with a long “a” vowel and a voiceless alveolar trill-like ending in some pronunciations. The term has become standard in English discourse, sports, and international diplomacy. (50-80 words)

Rwanda is a landlocked East African country bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a proper noun, it refers to the nation, its people, and its capital, Kigali. The word is typically pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable, and it has a two-stress rhythm in common English usage.

Samoa is a Polynesian group of islands in the central South Pacific, as well as the sovereign state of Samoa comprising two main islands and several islets. The term refers to both the nation and the archipelago, and is commonly used in geography, travel, and cultural contexts. Pronunciation emphasizes two syllables with a stress peak on the first: SA-mo-a.

Senegal is a West African country whose name is commonly used for the nation and its people. In English, it refers to the country or its citizens, with emphasis typically on the second syllable when used in isolation. The term is often paired with proper nouns or descriptors (e.g., Senegalese culture).

Seychelles is a proper noun referring to an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean. The word is pronounced with three syllables and a distinct stress pattern, and it is often encountered in geopolitical, travel, and cultural contexts. It has a unique pronunciation challenge for English learners due to its multisyllabic structure and French-derived spelling.

Singapore is a sovereign city-state in Southeast Asia, known for its highly developed economy, multicultural society, and strategic port. The term refers both to the nation and its capital city, reflecting a unique blend of modern urbanity and diverse cultural heritage. In usage, it denotes a place, a polity, and a national identity, often in contexts of travel, business, and governance.

Slovakia is a country in Central Europe. The word refers to the nation and its people, and it is used in geographic, political, and cultural contexts. It is pronounced with three syllables, stressing the second: slo-VA-ki-a, and the initial

Slovenia is a European country located in the Alpine region, notable for its diverse geography and bilingual heritage. As a proper noun, it denotes the nation and its people. In English usage, it is capitalized and is commonly found in geopolitical and travel contexts, as well as discussions of culture, language, and history.

Sudan is a proper noun referring to the country in northeast Africa. It commonly appears in geopolitical, historical, and travel contexts, and is pronounced with two syllables in English. The name originates from the Arabic term for “land of the blacks” and is often used in reference to the country’s geographic and cultural identity.

Suriname is a country in South America whose name is also used for its people and language. As a noun, it refers to the nation and its inhabitants, or to matters relating to Suriname. The pronunciation is important to avoid confusion with similar-sounding places and to reflect proper regional pronunciation in conversation and media.