15 Places That Don't Mean What You Think: Explained
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.

Hiroshima is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, located on the Seto Inland Sea in western Honshu. The city is best known for its tragic history as the site of the 1945 atomic bombing, and today it is a center of peace and remembrance. Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum honor the victims and promote the cause of nuclear disarmament. The Atomic Bomb Dome, the skeletal ruin that stands near the park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond its memorials, Hiroshima is known for its local cuisine, especially okonomiyaki, and for fresh oysters from the surrounding bay. Miyajima island, with its famous floating torii gate, is a short ferry ride away and is a popular day trip. The city's Peace Memorial Park and museum draw visitors from around the world.
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From Japanese 'hiro' (wide) and 'shima' (island), possibly referring to the broad delta of the Ota River. The demonym is 'Hiroshiman'.
Other places in the region and their demonyms
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.
From Montenegro to Naples, these 20 place names that were literally translated show how languages rebuild geography — and what the originals mean.
Want to explore where Hiroshimans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
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