In Spanish speaking countries the initials for the USA are EE.UU.?

Question

Why the double letters? I have been to many Spanish speaking countries and no-one can answer that question. I am sure there is a logical explanation.

Answer 1

The double letters means plural.
In english you say "the states" because the USA are composed of 50 states, no ?
Well, that's the reason for the plural.
Estados Unidos, plural

Answer 2

That's the way abbreviations are done in Spanish. There are several ways to abbreviate letters, but I'm going to talk just about one.

Sometimes an abbreviation consists only of one letter. Let's say for example 'V.' meaning "verbo" (verb). The plural of that abbreviation would be 'VV.' instead of 'Vs.'

In the case of "Estados Unidos", since both words are in the plural in Spanish, instead of just writing "E.U." -which would mean "Estado Unido"- you must write' EE.UU'.

This is done NOT only in Spain, as someone here said. It's done in ALL the Spanish speaking countries. There are many examples of this type of abbreviation.
.

Answer 3

EEUU, EE.UU.
Estados Unidos, Spanish for `United States.' (Note that the punctuation E.E.U.U. is incorrect; cf. E.U.) The adjective (and gentilicial noun) is estadounidense. Some Latin American countries have or once had Estados Unidos as part of their official names (see R.U.), but it would be a pedantic joke to call someone from one of those countries, such as a Mexican, an estadounidense. (For something completely unrelated, see the U.E. entry.)

Answer 4

Double Letters are used when the words are in plural.

i.e. Estados Unidos EE.UU.,
Comisiones Obreras CC.OO.

This usage is the norm in Spain and only sometimes used in Latin America.

Answer 5

It's not a bad thing to be able to speak a second language at all but to be required by the government to learn a second language, well--that wouldn't be such a great thing. It would be nice if the US had an official language though.

Answer 6

Yes, your right. It's like FF.AA. which stands for Fuerzas Armadas, (the Army for you). That is Because you don't say Estado Unido, but Estados Unidos, that is why the initals are EE. UU.

Answer 7

well, it's easy. when the double letters are because of the plural, when the number of the word is plural another letter is added. so EstadoS UnidoS is plural.

Answer 8

because it shows that the abbreviation is of two pluralised words i.e. estadoS unidoS, not estado unido which would be E.U. Its the same as English pp for pages.

Answer 9

Yes, I have no idea why the double letters but thats the way it is.

Answer 10

it has to do with long history with their nations. im not to sure on what exactly happen though. it was to be E.U.A, those abbreviations were taken...etc.. thats all i know. =]