Understanding the Surname 'Arthur'
The surname 'Arthur' carries a rich historical and cultural significance that spans various regions and communities around the world. Although it may not be one of the most common surnames globally, its presence is noteworthy in several nations. As we delve into the etymology, history, and geographical distribution of the surname 'Arthur,' we will reveal the various narratives attached to it and how it reflects broader societal trends.
Etymology of the Surname 'Arthur'
The surname 'Arthur' is of Old Breton origin, deriving from the given name 'Arthur,' which itself is derived from the prehistoric Celtic elements 'artos' meaning "bear" and 'wiros' meaning "man." The name saw popularization due to its association with the legendary King Arthur of Celtic myth and folklore. This legendary figure encompassed ideals of chivalry, heroism, and noble leadership, thereby imbuing the name 'Arthur' with connotations of strength and fortitude.
Historical Significance
The history of the surname 'Arthur' can be traced back to the medieval period in Europe. King Arthur's tales were woven into the fabric of British folklore, particularly in England and Wales, where the name carried considerable weight as a symbol of national identity and heritage. The literary explosion regarding King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table during the 12th century significantly boosted the popularity of the name, elevating it beyond a given name to a surname used throughout society.
Global Distribution of the Surname 'Arthur'
Today, the surname 'Arthur' can be found across multiple countries, each with different incidences that reflect historical migration patterns and cultural exchanges. Here is a detailed look at the frequency of the surname 'Arthur' in various countries:
- Ghana (GH): 151,073 occurrences
- United States (US): 38,547 occurrences
- England (GB-ENG): 8,124 occurrences
- Australia (AU): 6,703 occurrences
- Nigeria (NG): 5,276 occurrences
- Madagascar (MG): 4,266 occurrences
- Canada (CA): 3,501 occurrences
- South Africa (ZA): 2,756 occurrences
- Scotland (GB-SCT): 2,125 occurrences
- Egypt (EG): 1,941 occurrences
- Brazil (BR): 1,594 occurrences
- Haiti (HT): 1,405 occurrences
- France (FR): 1,385 occurrences
- New Zealand (NZ): 1,356 occurrences
- Kenya (KE): 1,012 occurrences
- Wales (GB-WLS): 968 occurrences
- Liberia (LR): 779 occurrences
- Trinidad and Tobago (TT): 700 occurrences
- Guyana (GY): 633 occurrences
- Barbados (BB): 600 occurrences
- Tanzania (TZ): 578 occurrences
- Papua New Guinea (PG): 553 occurrences
- Northern Ireland (GB-NIR): 534 occurrences
- Sri Lanka (LK): 439 occurrences
- Indonesia (ID): 434 occurrences
- Ireland (IE): 434 occurrences
- Malaysia (MY): 421 occurrences
- India (IN): 300 occurrences
- Bahamas (BS): 278 occurrences
- Micronesia (FM): 269 occurrences
- Malawi (MW): 235 occurrences
- Saint Lucia (LC): 231 occurrences
- Philippines (PH): 215 occurrences
- Hong Kong (HK): 214 occurrences
- Mexico (MX): 209 occurrences
- Dominican Republic (DO): 200 occurrences
- Vanuatu (VU): 197 occurrences
- Panama (PA): 178 occurrences
- Pakistan (PK): 167 occurrences
- Germany (DE): 161 occurrences
- Turks and Caicos Islands (TC): 150 occurrences
- Democratic Republic of Congo (CD): 144 occurrences
- Spain (ES): 142 occurrences
- Venezuela (VE): 141 occurrences
- Argentina (AR): 119 occurrences
- Côte d'Ivoire (CI): 116 occurrences
- United Arab Emirates (AE): 111 occurrences
- Qatar (QA): 106 occurrences
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (VC): 104 occurrences
- Sweden (SE): 96 occurrences
- Chile (CL): 86 occurrences
- Iran (IR): 85 occurrences
- Netherlands (NL): 76 occurrences
- Belgium (BE): 69 occurrences
- Singapore (SG): 65 occurrences
- Jamaica (JM): 63 occurrences
- Russia (RU): 62 occurrences
- Cameroon (CM): 55 occurrences
- China (CN): 54 occurrences
- Norway (NO): 54 occurrences
- Uganda (UG): 53 occurrences
- Mauritius (MU): 48 occurrences
- Solomon Islands (SB): 45 occurrences
- Jersey (JE): 42 occurrences
- Portugal (PT): 38 occurrences
- Kuwait (KW): 37 occurrences
- Suriname (SR): 35 occurrences
- Switzerland (CH): 34 occurrences
- Guinea (GN): 33 occurrences
- St. Pierre and Miquelon (PM): 31 occurrences
- Zimbabwe (ZW): 29 occurrences
- Denmark (DK): 26 occurrences
- Namibia (NA): 24 occurrences
- Virgin Islands (VI): 24 occurrences
- Ecuador (EC): 22 occurrences
- Iraq (IQ): 21 occurrences
- British Virgin Islands (VG): 21 occurrences
- Latvia (LV): 19 occurrences
- Austria (AT): 18 occurrences
- Italy (IT): 18 occurrences
- Thailand (TH): 17 occurrences
- Botswana (BW): 17 occurrences
- Sudan (SD): 16 occurrences
- Costa Rica (CR): 16 occurrences
- Mozambique (MZ): 16 occurrences
- Iceland (IS): 15 occurrences
- Japan (JP): 15 occurrences
- Guam (GU): 12 occurrences
- Israel (IL): 12 occurrences
- Taiwan (TW): 11 occurrences
- Nicaragua (NI): 10 occurrences
- Rwanda (RW): 9 occurrences
- Saudi Arabia (SA): 9 occurrences
- Tunisia (TN): 9 occurrences
- The Gambia (GM): 9 occurrences
- Guatemala (GT): 9 occurrences
- Armenia (AM): 8 occurrences
- Slovakia (SK): 8 occurrences
- Isle of Man (IM): 7 occurrences
- Ukraine (UA): 7 occurrences
- Cook Islands (CK): 6 occurrences
- Antigua and Barbuda (AG): 6 occurrences
- Norfolk Island (NF): 6 occurrences
- Saint Kitts and Nevis (KN): 6 occurrences
- Kazakhstan (KZ): 6 occurrences
- Poland (PL): 6 occurrences
- Czech Republic (CZ): 5 occurrences
- Greece (GR): 5 occurrences
- Vietnam (VN): 4 occurrences
- Honduras (HN): 4 occurrences
- Mali (ML): 4 occurrences
- Angola (AO): 4 occurrences
- Chad (TD): 4 occurrences
- Fiji (FJ): 4 occurrences
- Bahrain (BH): 4 occurrences
- Oman (OM): 4 occurrences
- South Korea (KR): 4 occurrences
- Grenada (GD): 4 occurrences
- Belarus (BY): 4 occurrences
- Colombia (CO): 3 occurrences
- Cambodia (KH): 3 occurrences
- Luxembourg (LU): 2 occurrences
- Zambia (ZM): 2 occurrences
- Hungary (HU): 2 occurrences
- Senegal (SN): 2 occurrences
- Azerbaijan (AZ): 2 occurrences
- Finland (FI): 2 occurrences
- Burkina Faso (BF): 2 occurrences
- Turkey (TR): 2 occurrences
- Benin (BJ): 2 occurrences
- Cayman Islands (KY): 2 occurrences
- Lebanon (LB): 2 occurrences
- Puerto Rico (PR): 2 occurrences
- Lesotho (LS): 2 occurrences
- Romania (RO): 2 occurrences
- Monaco (MC): 1 occurrence
- Moldova (MD): 1 occurrence
- Seychelles (SC): 1 occurrence
- Afghanistan (AF): 1 occurrence
- Malta (MT): 1 occurrence
- Cyprus (CY): 1 occurrence
- Slovenia (SI): 1 occurrence
- Slovakia (SL): 1 occurrence
- Somalia (SO): 1 occurrence
- Niger (NE): 1 occurrence
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA): 1 occurrence
- Estonia (ET): 1 occurrence
- Bangladesh (BD): 1 occurrence
- Turkmenistan (TM): 1 occurrence
- Bulgaria (BG): 1 occurrence
- Georgia (GE): 1 occurrence
- Uruguay (UY): 1 occurrence
- The Republic of the Congo (CG): 1 occurrence
- Lithuania (LT): 1 occurrence
Regional Variations
The variations in the frequency of the surname 'Arthur' across different countries can be attributed to historical migration, colonialism, and social mobility. For instance, Ghana has the highest incidence of the surname, which may indicate historical connections to British colonial governance as well as the widespread influence of the name due to its association with leadership.
In the United States, the occurrence of the surname can be linked to numerous immigrants who brought it over from their native lands, thereby enriching the American tapestry with diverse heritages. In England and Scotland, regions that carry significant Arthurian legends, it is not only a surname but also a part of the cultural identity tied to myths of chivalry and renown.
Prominent Figures with the Surname 'Arthur'
Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the surname 'Arthur,' further enriching its legacy. From politicians and artists to athletes and scholars, these individuals have contributed to their respective fields while bearing a name steeped in tradition. Some prominent personalities include:
- Arthur Ashe: An American tennis player and civil rights activist, Ashe was the first black man to win the singles title at Wimbledon.
- Arthur Miller: A celebrated American playwright, known for works such as "Death of a Salesman" and "The Crucible."
- Arthur C. Clarke: Renowned science fiction writer and futurist, Clarke is best known for his novel "2001: A Space Odyssey."
These individuals exemplify the range of talents and contributions associated with the name 'Arthur,' enabling it to transcend simple identification to a symbol of achievement and legacy.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The name 'Arthur,' and its descendant surname, carry significant cultural weight beyond its literal meaning. Its repeated association with nobility, bravery, and virtue has perpetuated its utility in various narratives, literature, and film. King Arthur's saga, epitomized in works like "Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory, has become a pivotal element of Western literature, influencing countless adaptations and reinterpretations across time.
In modern society, the reverberations of the name 'Arthur' extend into popular culture, appearing in numerous films, television shows, and novels that draw upon Arthurian legends. The characterizations of King Arthur embody ideals of courage, honor, and chivalry, and serve as a continual source of inspiration for contemporary storytelling.
Conclusion on the Significance of the Surname 'Arthur'
The surname 'Arthur' serves not just as a moniker but as a powerful emblematic of history, culture, and identity. Its widespread prevalence across various nations underscores a deep-rooted legacy that connects people, stories, and ideas. By understanding the nuances of the surname, we gain insight into the sociocultural dynamics that have shaped its evolution and the lives of those who carry it today.
The surname Arthur within the globe
Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it can be done to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same takes place in the case of Arthur, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said it is a surname that can be found in a lot of the countries associated with globe. In the same way there are nations in which certainly the thickness of men and women using the surname Arthur is greater than in other countries.
The map of this Arthur surname
View Arthur surname map
The possibility of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Arthur in the world, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves regarding the map, for a tangible country, we could understand tangible amount of people because of the surname Arthur, to acquire this way the particular information of all the Arthur that one may presently find in that country. All this also assists us to know not only in which the surname Arthur comes from, but also in what way the folks who are initially an element of the household that bears the surname Arthur have moved and moved. In the same manner, you are able to see by which places they've settled and grown up, which is why if Arthur is our surname, it seems interesting to which other nations associated with the globe it's possible any particular one of our ancestors once moved to.
Nations with additional Arthur on the planet
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Ghana (151073)
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United States (38547)
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England (8124)
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Australia (6703)
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Nigeria (5276)
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Madagascar (4266)
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Canada (3501)
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South Africa (2756)
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Scotland (2125)
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Egypt (1941)
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Brazil (1594)
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Haiti (1405)
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France (1385)
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New Zealand (1356)
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Kenya (1012)
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Wales (968)
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Liberia (779)
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Trinidad and Tobago (700)
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Guyana (633)
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Barbados (600)
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Tanzania (578)
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Papua New Guinea (553)
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Nothern Ireland (534)
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Sri Lanka (439)
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Indonesia (434)
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Ireland (434)
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Malaysia (421)
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India (300)
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Bahamas (278)
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Micronesia (269)
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Malawi (235)
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Saint Lucia (231)
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Philippines (215)
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Hong Kong (214)
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Mexico (209)
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Dominican Republic (200)
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Vanuatu (197)
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Panama (178)
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Pakistan (167)
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Germany (161)
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Turks and Caicos Islands (150)
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Democratic Republic of the Congo (144)
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Spain (142)
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Venezuela (141)
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Argentina (119)
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Ivory Coast (116)
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United Arab Emirates (111)
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Qatar (106)
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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (104)
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Sweden (96)
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Chile (86)
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Iran (85)
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Netherlands (76)
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Belgium (69)
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Singapore (65)
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Jamaica (63)
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Russia (62)
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Cameroon (55)
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China (54)
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Norway (54)
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Uganda (53)
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Mauritius (48)
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Solomon Islands (45)
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Jersey (42)
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Portugal (38)
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Kuwait (37)
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Suriname (35)
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Switzerland (34)
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Guinea (33)
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Saint Pierre and Miquelon (31)
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Zimbabwe (29)
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Denmark (26)
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Namibia (24)
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U.S. Virgin Islands (24)
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Ecuador (22)
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Iraq (21)
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British Virgin Islands (21)
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Latvia (19)
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Austria (18)
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Italy (18)
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Thailand (17)
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Botswana (17)
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Sudan (16)
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Costa Rica (16)
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Mozambique (16)
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Iceland (15)
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Japan (15)
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Guam (12)
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Israel (12)
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Taiwan (11)
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Nicaragua (10)
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Rwanda (9)
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Saudi Arabia (9)
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Tunisia (9)
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Gambia (9)
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Guatemala (9)
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Armenia (8)
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Slovakia (8)
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Isle of Man (7)
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Ukraine (7)
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Cook Islands (6)
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Antigua and Barbuda (6)
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Norfolk island (6)
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Saint Kitts and Nevis (6)
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Kazakhstan (6)
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Poland (6)
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Czech Republic (5)
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Greece (5)
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Vietnam (4)
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Honduras (4)
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Mali (4)
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Angola (4)
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Chad (4)
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Fiji (4)
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Bahrain (4)
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Oman (4)
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South Korea (4)
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Grenada (4)
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Belarus (4)
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Colombia (3)
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Cambodia (3)
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Luxembourg (2)
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Zambia (2)
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Hungary (2)
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Senegal (2)
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Azerbaijan (2)
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Finland (2)
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Burkina Faso (2)
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Turkey (2)
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Benin (2)
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Cayman Islands (2)
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Lebanon (2)
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Puerto Rico (2)
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Lesotho (2)
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Romania (2)
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Monaco (1)
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Moldova (1)
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Seychelles (1)
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Afghanistan (1)
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Malta (1)
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Cyprus (1)
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Slovenia (1)
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Sierra Leone (1)
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Somalia (1)
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Niger (1)
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Bosnia and Herzegovina (1)
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Ethiopia (1)
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Bangladesh (1)
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Turkmenistan (1)
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Bulgaria (1)
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Gabon (1)
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Burundi (1)
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Tuvalu (1)
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Peru (1)
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Bermuda (1)
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Laos (1)
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Georgia (1)
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Uruguay (1)
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Republic of the Congo (1)
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Lithuania (1)