This new type of geographical dictionary lists past and present alternate names of more than 7,000 places. It focuses particularly on placenames with official or semiofficial status rather than nicknames or colloquial abbreviations. Alternate placenames are important for historical and geographical reasons, and although they predominate in countries that have undergone wars and invasions, such alternate names can equally well result from political or administrative changes. In addition to the factual data related to each entry, the dictionary also comments on names and their origins where appropriate. Appendices focus on placenames in non–English languages and on places which have been renamed in fictional works.

The late Adrian Room was a noted toponymist and onomastician. The author of more than 50 reference books about words and names, he lived in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.

Adrian Room
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 264
Bibliographic Info: appendices, bibliography
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3712-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5481-5
Imprint: McFarland

Introduction      1

The Placenames      7

Appendix I: Names of Places in Non-English Languages      235

Appendix II: Fictional Names of Places      246

Select Bibliography      255

“excellent”—Booklist; “a valuable resource for those interested in history, geography, or toponymy. Recommended”—Choice; “a very useful source for researchers and for casual readers”—ARBA; “helpful…useful”—Reference Reviews.