mr

i have a question for the learned teachers of english.
why do we use the definite article 'the' with Hague?
we dont use 'the' with the names of the cities.why do we use 'the' here?

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by najamzaidi

i have a question for the learned teachers of english.
why do we use the definite article 'the' with Hague?
we dont use 'the' with the names of the cities.why do we use 'the' here?

Hague - This is a unique and special place. It is very important. It is the one and only "Hague". A definite article is usually placed before such nouns.

The Hague is the International Court of Justice. That's why we say "the Hague".

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=8&q=hague

The de facto capital of the Netherlands, in the western part of the country near the North Sea. The Hague grew around a palace built c. 1250 by William of Holland (1228-1256) and is today the seat of the country's legislature and supreme court and of the International Court of Justice. Population: 444,392.

[Steven D]

The city, Hague, grew around a palace. A palace is a place. A definite article often precedes the name of an important place. A palace is an important or well known place.