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.
Salem is the capital of Oregon and sits in the Willamette Valley of northwest Oregon, one of the state's most productive farming regions. The city's name is often traced to the Hebrew word 'shalom', meaning peace, and it became the state capital in 1851. Salem is the center of Oregon's state government, and its historic buildings, including the Oregon State Capitol, anchor the downtown. The surrounding valley produces berries, nuts, hops, and wine, making agriculture a major part of the local economy. Salem's parks and gardens, and its nearby views of the Cascade Mountains, make it a pleasant place to live and visit. The city's Willamette University, one of the oldest universities in the western United States, adds a strong academic presence. Its compact downtown is easy to explore on foot, and its riverfront park along the Willamette River offers views and open space.
Want to explore where Salemites live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
From Hebrew 'shalom' meaning peace, or named after Salem, Massachusetts.
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 Salemites live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region