Sixty-five years ago today, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey. She was just 25 years of age. (Elizabeth actually became queen upon the death of her father King George VI on February 6, 1952, but the ceremony took place after a suitable mourning period.)
She’s gone on to become the longest-reigning monarch in British history, much-loved by many and respected by all. During that time more than 50 places have been named in her honour, including roads, monuments, stadiums, schools, hospitals and gardens. Then there are ocean liners, a train line and even an aircraft carrier. And let’s not forget Coronation Chicken, “Queenie” the racing pigeon and even the daughter of Manny Pacquiao, the former world lightweight champion boxer from the Philippines, who was named Queen Elizabeth!
Here are six other places named after Queen Elizabeth II that are sure to appeal to travel lovers:
Princess Elizabeth Land was named in 1931, when Elizabeth was just five years old and still a princess – hence the name. Part of the Australian Antarctic Territory and located between longitude 73 degrees east and Cape Penck, it’s a small area that includes Vostok Station, the coldest place on Earth. The Aussies aren’t the only ones to have named part of Antarctica after Her Majesty: in 2012 a 437,000km² area of the British Antarctic Territory (ie roughly twice the size of the United Kingdom itself) was named Queen Elizabeth Land by the British government.
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Read more: The Queen’s simple cure for jet lag
The world-renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife reserve is the most-visited national park in Uganda. It spans the equator and is home to more than 600 species of birds and 95species of mammals, including lions, leopards, elephants, hippos and crocs.
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This group of mountain ranges, part of the magnificent Canadian Rockies, is located in the province of Alberta on the southeastern side of Jasper National Park. Interesting trivia: When Canada proclaimed its allegiance to the Queen, it actually beat the UK to the punch by about two hours!
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Port Elizabeth is the capital of Bequia (pronounced “bekway”), part of the country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It has a lovely village-y feel and sits at the back of Admiralty Bay, one of the most protected natural harbours in the Caribbean.
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Read more: The one item the Queen never travels without
This 19,665-hectare forest park in the Scottish Highlands encompasses some of the country’s most iconic and best-loved locations, from Loch Lomond, the rolling Trossachs hills, Loch Katrine and the mountains of Strathyre.
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Built for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, this sporting complex in London was later renamed to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, also celebrated in 2012. It’s overlooked by the ArcelorMittal Orbit, an observation tower and Britain’s largest piece of public art.
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