the America

[Mnemosyne]

Not sure where to post this silly question!

Why are some countries prefixed with "the", as in "the Ukraine" or "the Phillippines"?

I don't think I've ever heard them called simply "Ukraine" or "Phillippine" and certainly no one has refered to America, China, or Brazil as "the America", "the China" or "the Brazil".

I must've missed this part in school!

[Susie]

Ha, good question.

I've been told that "the Ukraine" is incorrect and it should just be Ukraine, though I know The Ukraine is in popular use.

The other times "the" is used is for plural names, such as the Phillipines, the Netherlands, and the United States.

[joelyle]

Historically, locations like the Ukraine, the Crimea and so on were viewed principally as theatres of war, rather than as political units. The borders of European nation-states have enjoyed far greater and more palpable permanence by comparison - even where in centuries past the local political divisions were very great, as in Italy and Germany.

John Bennett, Glasgow, Scotland

It is to suggest ownership of that country by someone else and to suggest the inhabitants are not worthy of self determination. The Ukraine was used to suggest a region in the Russian empire and not a proper country.
It's very rude; don't do this.

Ray Gallagher, Belfast, UK

[fontduroy]

As far as Ukraine is concerned, if you meet someone from that country, they will not add the "the" to the front:
Q: Where are you from?
A: Ukraine.

I agree with the previous poster about the use of "the" when it signals a collection:
The Phillippine Islands
The United States
The Fontduroy Territories

That last one may not be correct, I'll have to refer to a globe...