exist nicknames of cities for which many of them are known throughout the world. Although sometimes they are usually called that because of some particular characteristic. In many others, the nicknames are a form of homage to the beauty they have or the importance they have had in the world.
However, some of them can be easily recognized by their nickname by both locals and visitors. Like for example the iconic nicknames of Paris (The City of Light) or New York (The Big Apple). But in the case of many others it is not so simple. Therefore, we bring you some nicknames of cities that you may not know.
Nicknames of famous cities
London: The Square Mile
London is known as the capital of England and the United Kingdom of Great Britain. But what some are surely unaware of is that this city located on the banks of the River Thames is also colloquially known as «the square mile». Since the old core of the city or the «City of London», still retains its medieval perimeter of approximately one square mile. That is, 2.6 square kilometers or 260 hectares.
Another peculiar nickname of this city is “The Big Smoke”. Name that has its origin in the air pollution that occurred during the industrial revolution. What generated a series of intense fogs that covered the city during the 19th century. Although Art, literature and cinema did much to perpetuate the stereotype of a dark and gloomy city.
Sydney: The City of Harbors
This spectacular Australian city is one of the most famous and largest in that country. Among its most emblematic attractions are the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbor Bridge and its beautiful beaches. However, the nickname by which it is known is due to the fact that the city was built and developed from Port Jackson, thus taking the nickname «the Harbor City».
This is considered one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Well, the area where it is located is surrounded by national parks that contain bays and rivers.
Rio de Janeiro: The Marvelous City
This city is defined as a perfect mix of exuberant nature, culture and modernity. So it is not surprising that it was the first city in the world to receive the title of Cultural Heritage of Humanity. and that it also deserves the nickname of the wonderful city. Due to the beauty it exhibits, being surrounded by mountains and islands that, together with its tropical climate, make it a dream place.
Added to the wonderful city attribute is the possibility of finding hundreds of hectares of tropical jungle in the center of the city with a diverse flora and fauna.
Las Vegas: Sin City
If this city is known in the world for something, it is for being the world epicenter of gaming and entertainment. A city that could be considered as a mix between a great nightclub and an amusement park for adults. Where there are no taboos, and where gambling and prostitution are legal.
Thus being the only city in the United States where that is possible. Not surprisingly, it seems obvious that among possible nicknames of cities the one that best describes it is from “the city of sin”.
Amsterdam: The Venice of the North
Several European cities share this nickname that refers to the wonderful Italian city of Venice. Because they are surrounded by canals and waterways that wind and divide these cities. Although bridging the gap, this emblematic Dutch city has nothing to envy Venice.
Although it will not be as romantic, it is certainly also a beautiful city with hundreds of wonders to visit and many activities to do. Where its more than 100 kilometers of canals and 1,500 bridges have become the postcards that this city gives us.
Dubrovnik: The Pearl of the Adriatic
The Croatian city of Dubronik is one of the most important tourist destinations on the Adriatic Sea. And it owes this nickname to its important artistic, historical and architectural heritage; and to the beauty of the landscapes that surround it. Virtues that have earned it to be on the list of cities, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1979.
Geneva: The Peaceful Capital
Switzerland has historically been a neutral, peaceful country of global importance in conflict resolution. An image that owes mainly to this city, which has had great contributions in the history of the humanitarian movement. Since there, for example, the Geneva Conventions were signed (in 1864, 1907, 1929 and 1949) that define the rights of prisoners and wounded of war.
For this reason, Geneva is currently a world center for multilateral diplomacy, where more than 200 international organizations are located, including the European office of the UN and the headquarters of the Red Cross.
Dubai, the city of the future
Located in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is a city in perpetual construction. Famous throughout the world for its ambitious architectural and tourist works. It is therefore not surprising that its ultra-modern and luxurious architecture has positioned it as one of the most renowned cities in the Middle East and the world.
But it is also a city that promises a trip to the future from the present. Where flying taxis, police surveillance robots or multifunctional drones are just a sample of the emerging technological innovations that Dubai has presented to the world. And that show us the ambition that this city-state has to be faithful to the nickname of “the city of the future”.
Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love
The origin of the nickname of this city located on the east coast of the United States is simpler than it seems. Well, it’s based on the etymology of his name, where the Greek words for love (phileo) and brother (adelphos) were combined.
An ingenious fact that, according to the Free Library of Philadelphia, was the idea of its founder, the English Quaker William Penn. Who imagined the city as a place where all people regardless of their religion and race could live in peace and harmony.
As you can see, it is always good to know the origin of the nicknames of cities because many of them contain a great history. So we invite you to a second part of this article where we will present other cities.