What do you think of this fact?
Some places are called “Ely”. Others need a bit more room. And then there’s a hill in New Zealand whose name barely fits on a sign.
A name like a poem
The hill is near Porangahau in the Hawke’s Bay region on New Zealand’s North Island and stands about 300 meters (1,000 feet) tall. Its official name is: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
That’s 85 letters. According to Atlas Obscura, it’s the longest place name in the world and is also recognized by Guinness World Records. There’s even a longer version with 105 letters, but the official one has 85.
What it means
The name comes from the Māori language and tells a little story. Translated, it means roughly: “The summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his nose flute to his loved one.”
Tamatea is a legendary Māori explorer. So the name is really a tribute to him and to a love song, captured in a single word.
Bonus fact: According to TheJournal.ie, the Welsh Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwll-llantysiliogogogoch, often celebrated as Europe’s longest place name, only comes second worldwide.
For everyday use, there’s a short form, thankfully. According to TheJournal.ie, it still has 57 letters, though. A sign at the hill shows the full name, and according to Atlas Obscura, the spot has become a tourist attraction for geography and word nerds from across the globe. Most pose in front of the sign and try to read the name out loud.
Anyone who manages that in one breath can feel a bit like Tamatea. Nose flute optional.