09:49 Feb 9, 2010 

I think it's a question of applying a mix of knowledge of when the article is required in English e.g. yes for seas/oceans no for lakes, yes for mountain ranges no for Mount Everest (but Yes for Il Mottarone near me!) and what is customary. You would never say 'the Chianti', either the Chianti area/region, or as a Brit, 'Chiantishire' :-) Most Italian Regions are not translated with the article, and I translate le Marche 'Marche', but some call it 'The Marches'..... just to make it confusing!

08:59 Feb 9, 2010 

Fair enough... I guess I was just hoping there might be an easy way through the jungle!! Thanks for your help boys.

08:53 Feb 9, 2010 

Take the history of the name of the park in London developed by the Prince Regent (later King George iV). It started life when the regent was still alive as "The Park of the Regent". This then got gradually abbreviated over the years to "The Regent's Park" "The Regents Park" and today it is normally referred to by most Londoners as simply "Regents Park", with few people aware of why it has that name.