It’s Christmastime and there’s nothing more Christmassy than the lord of yule, Santa Claus (or lots of them, as in the featured image by martinwcox). All the kids refer to him simply as Santa, and this nickname has become so synonymous with him that everywhere in the world that has Santa in its name has to be a little bit Christmassy, doesn’t it? Let’s take a look and find out.
Santa Monica, California
This busy coastal area in Los Angeles seems to be more about swimming, sunning yourself and showing off. What does that have to do with the big, fat, red man?
If Angelenos spend enough time sitting around here doing nothing in the baking sun, then they become big, fat and red.
Santa Marta, Colombia
The second oldest city in the whole of South America was probably founded by Spanish conquistadors as a way of honouring Father Christmas – what better way to get him to come over to South America with his presents on Christmas Eve.
Santa probably takes off his hat when he swings by though, as it’s typical about 33 degrees here on the 24th of December.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
The Canary Islands really ought to be called the Robin Islands to keep within the yuletide oeuvre, but fine, canaries do begin with the letter C at least.
According to our many hours of research, the capital city’s name translates as “Santa cruises into Tenerife”.
Looking back on these three, we’re actually starting to think these places haven’t thought about the spirit of Christmas in their names at all. Could Santa possibly mean something other than Father Christmas!?? Nah, impossible.
