Why do some countries start with 'the'?

Have you ever noticed how we refer to some countries as 'the [country name]' and others just as 'country name'?

How do you know when to use 'the' and when not to?

1) If the name of a country includes the words kingdom, states or republic we use

the when talking about that country.

• the United Kingdom

• the United States

• the Republic of Ireland

• the People's Republic of China

• the Kingdom of Bhutan

2) If the name of a country is a plural name such as Netherlands or Philippines we use the.

• the Netherlands

• the Philippines