What do the following countries have in common?

1. Ghana 

2. Zambia

3. Namibia

4. Thailand 

5. Sri Lanka 

6. Zimbabwe 

7. Cote d'Ivoire 

8. Democratic Republic of the Congo 

 

Answer:

 

They were known by former names for many years:

 

1. Ghana - Gold Coast

2. Zambia - (Northern) Rhodesia

3. Namibia - South West Africa

4. Thailand - Siam

5. Sri Lanka - Ceylon

6. Zimbabwe - (Southern) Rhodesia

7. Cote d'Ivoire - Ivory Coast

8. Democratic Republic of the Congo - Zaire