Why is Netherlands referred to as "Paises Bajos" in Spanish??

Question

"Down Countries"

Answer 1

NO. Not "down". "Low countries" because of low altitude. 1/4 of the country is below sea level. In French they're called "Les Pays Bas". Same thing.

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Answer 2

"Low Countries";

"Bajo" means, besides of down: low, under, below.

It's called so because most of the country (or countries) is below the sea level.

Someone short (who is the opposite to tall) can be called "bajo" too. Another meaning is the opposite to loud is "bajo" too.

"Baja California" (mexican state) is "Lower California", because if you see it in a map it is "below" California (USA state), wich was formerly called "Alta California" (Upper California) when it was part of México.

Answer 3

Because it's the literal translation of "nether (lower) lands."  Much of the country is below sea level.

Answer 4

Because the actual translation of "Nederlande" (English: the Netherlands) is "the low lands"; at least some of the land is actually below the level of the sea; thus, the Spanish "Paises Bajos" is the correct translation.