The GeoNames blog explores the stories behind linguistic data. Why do countries have completely different names in different languages? How did ancient civilizations develop number systems — and why do some cultures count in base-20 instead of base-10? What makes Chinese characters fundamentally different from alphabets?
Each article draws on the reference data collected across GeoNames.de — from our 199 country profiles to the comparative word lists spanning 17 language families. Whether you are a linguist, a language learner, or simply curious about global diversity, these deep dives offer context that raw data tables cannot.
Understanding the World's Most Complex Scripts
Why does English need just 26 letters while Chinese uses over 50,000 characters? Explore the fascinating spectrum from simple alphabets to intricate logographic systems.
Why Countries Have Different Names in Different Languages
Why is Germany called "Deutschland" in German but "Alemania" in Spanish? Discover the historical, linguistic, and cultural reasons behind country name variations.
How Languages Count - Number Systems Around the World
From base-10 to base-20, from vigesimal to sexagesimal - discover how different cultures developed unique ways to count and express quantities.