President Donald Trump has been caught in a geographical gaffe, appearing to confuse the Caribbean with the Pacific Ocean. During a speech, he referred to 'Nambia', a non-existent country, while praising healthcare progress in Africa. The US president likely meant Namibia, a south-west African nation.
Trump is not alone in such blunders. Former US President George W. Bush mixed up Austria with Australia in 2007, praising Australian troops in Iraq when Austria had no soldiers there. Italian ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi confused Slovenia with Slovakia in 2004, causing embarrassment for the Slovenian delegation.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson once referred to Africa as a country, saying 'life expectancy in Africa has risen astonishingly, as that country has entered the global economic system.' Africa is a continent with 55 nations.
Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski invented a Caribbean country called 'San Escobar' while seeking UN support. His office claimed it was a slip for Saint Kitts and Nevis, but the internet gave San Escobar a Twitter profile.
These gaffes highlight that geography is not a strong suit for all world leaders. The fictional states of Nambia and San Escobar, along with the continent of Africa, have been wished well in their diplomatic affairs.
