Why we say 'the Gambia', 'the Bahamas, and 'the Philippines'. Are the adjectives, peppery and clowny correct?

Why are their countries  that seem like they have proper names but are still stuck with  A definite  article ?

Why is it the Bahamas,  the Philippines, the Gambia,  the Congo,  the Sudan,  the Lebanon, the Netherlands,  the Hague, the Maldives and the Yemen.

The truth is,  I never knew any rule prior  to now.  I have searched for rules and realised that some countries  that were previously referred to with a definite  article like 'The Ukraine', lost it over time.

Some  scholars opined that  the reason why these names are like this is because the place names are related to a geographical feature like a group of islands (Bahamas) a river (Congo), a desert (Sudan) or mountain range (Lebanon).

Even Ukraine means 'borderline' and to really specify that it is a country,  one is expected  to write it like this 'the Borderline',

Since they seceded from Russia,  they have  asserted  their independence by striking off the definite article.  It is politically known as 'Ukraine' now.

The Gambia is named after a river,  that's why it retains its name the Gambia.

Officially,  only the Gambia and the Bahamas are recognised to always (ALWAYS) be written with 'a definite article.

Finally,  your food is peppery  not pepperish . He is clownish and  not clowny.

For detailed explanation on the use of definite article  before the names of countries,  please check out this BBC post.Click here. Check out a list of other countries that must always begin with a definite article like the US and the UK. Click here

The class with King Ifey is done and dusted.

Phew,  I should be going to The Gambia today.

Toodles.