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What is the smallest city in your country that everyone can still instantly recognise the name of? What is it famous for? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 month ago by NateNate60@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

251 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In the United States, I'd probably name Oregon City, the famous end of the Oregon Trail and the first city founded west of the Rocky Mountains during the pioneer era. Its population is only 37,000.

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[–] zloubida@lemmy.world 27 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (6 children)

For France it's probably Vichy, infamously well known internationally for being the capital of the French pro-Nazi government during the Occupation. Only 25'000 inhabitants.

[–] themoonisacheese@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Also consider that Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, of cheese fame, has 528 inhabitants.

[–] zloubida@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

I didn't thought of that, you're right!

[–] stormdelay@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 month ago

Even without considering cheese villages (somebody mentioned Roquefort, I was thinking of Gruyere, France clocking in at about 100 inhabitants), I believe Verdun would be just as known and is smaller at a population of around 17000.

[–] Storspoven@feddit.nu 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Admittedly my WW2 history knowledge is quite lacking, but I don't recognise Vichy because of the war stuff.

But I do recognise Vichy! Because we have a sub-type of mineral water in Sweden that is named after Vichy, "Vichyvatten". Wikipedia tells me the original was from a spring near Vichy, hence the name.

[–] zloubida@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

The two facts are linked: Vichy was chosen as the new capital after the occupation of Paris because of the springs. There were a lot of hotels and means of communication because of the luxurious spas.

[–] razm@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago

Mont Saint-Michel, pop. 25

[–] BastingChemina@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 month ago

Chamonix of also a good contender with a population of 9000 habitants

[–] Interesting_Test_814@jlai.lu 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Nice one, didn't think of that ! I suggested the one-letter town Y (population : 89), which is obviously much less well-known, but is also much smaller.

Edit : just realised, the airport city Roissy-en-France at under 3k inhabitants is a huge contender too that wasn't mentioned