Skip to content

Chapter LXXXVII: Section 3: , Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: 886 (2) 2162-2000, FAX (23)

Text size

Rwanda
$73.33 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Saint Helena
$17 million f.o.b. (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis
$70 million (2002 est.)

Saint Lucia
$66 million (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon
$10 million f.o.b. (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
$38 million (2002 est.)

Samoa
$14 million f.o.b. (2002)

San Marino
trade data are included with the statistics for Italy

Sao Tome and Principe
$6.479 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia
$86.53 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Senegal
$1.23 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro
$2.667 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Seychelles
$250 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Sierra Leone
$49 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Singapore
$142.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Slovakia
$21.25 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Slovenia
$11.98 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Solomon Islands
$90 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Somalia
$79 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

South Africa
$36.77 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Spain
$159.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka
$5.269 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Sudan
$2.45 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Suriname
$495 million f.o.b. (2002)

Svalbard
NA

Swaziland
$905.6 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Sweden
$102.8 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Switzerland
$110 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Syria
$5.143 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Taiwan
$143 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Tajikistan
$750 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Tanzania
$978 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Thailand
$75.99 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Togo
$398.1 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Tokelau
$98,000 f.o.b. (1983)

Tonga
$27 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago
$4.9 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Tunisia
$8.035 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Turkey
$49.12 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan
$3.355 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands
$169.2 million (2000)

Tuvalu
$1 million f.o.b. (2002)

Uganda
$495 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Ukraine
$23.63 billion (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates
$56.73 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

United Kingdom
$304.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

United States
$714.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Uruguay
$2.164 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan
$2.83 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Vanuatu
$79 million f.o.b. (2002)

Venezuela
$25.86 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Vietnam
$19.88 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Virgin Islands
NA

Wallis and Futuna
$250,000 f.o.b. (1999)

West Bank
$603 million f.o.b., includes Gaza Strip

Western Sahara
NA

World
$6.421 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Yemen
$3.92 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Zambia
$1.039 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Zimbabwe
$1.261 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

======================================================================

@2079 Debt - external

Afghanistan
$8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia;
Afghanistan has $500 million in debt to Multilateral Development
Banks (2004)

Albania
$1.41 billion (2003)

Algeria
$22.71 billion (2003 est.)

American Samoa
NA (2002 est.)

Andorra
NA

Angola
$9.164 billion (2003 est.)

Anguilla
$8.8 million (1998)

Antigua and Barbuda
$231 million (1999)

Argentina
$145.6 billion (2003 est.)

Armenia
$905 million (June 2001)

Aruba
$285 million (1996)

Australia
$233.5 billion (2003 est.)

Austria
$15.5 billion (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan
$1.575 billion (2003)

Bahamas, The
$308.5 million (2002)

Bahrain
$4.682 billion (2003)

Bangladesh
$18.06 billion (2003)

Barbados
$668 million (2003)

Belarus
$851 million (2001 est.)

Belgium
$28.3 billion (1999 est.)

Belize
$475 million (2001 est.)

Benin
$1.6 billion (2000)

Bermuda
$160 million (FY99/00)

Bhutan
$245 million (2000)

Bolivia
$5.332 billion (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina
$3.5 billion (2003)

Botswana
$392 million (2003)

Brazil
$214.9 billion (2003)

British Virgin Islands
$36.1 million (1997)

Brunei
$0

Bulgaria
$12.05 billion (2003)

Burkina Faso
$1.3 billion (2000)

Burma
$6.011 billion (2003 est.)

Burundi
$1.133 billion (2002)

Cambodia
$2.4 billion (2002 est.)

Cameroon
$7.236 billion (2003 est.)

Canada
$1.9 billion (2000)

Cape Verde
$325 million (2002)

Cayman Islands
$70 million (1996)

Central African Republic
$881.4 million (2000 est.)

Chad
$1.1 billion (2000 est.)

Chile
$43.15 billion (2003)

China
$197.8 billion (2003 est.)

Christmas Island
NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands
NA

Colombia
$38.26 billion (2003 est.)

Comoros
$232 million (2000 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
$11.6 billion (2000 est.)

Congo, Republic of the
$5 billion (2000 est.)

Cook Islands
$141 million (1996 est.)

Costa Rica
$5.366 billion (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire
$11.85 billion (2003 est.)

Croatia
$23.56 billion (2003 est.)

Cuba
$12.52 billion (convertible currency); another $15 billion -$20
billion owed to Russia (2003 est.)

Cyprus
Republic of Cyprus: $8.85 billion; north Cyprus: NA (2003)

Czech Republic
$28 billion (2003)

Denmark
$21.7 billion (2000)

Djibouti
$366 million (2002 est.)

Dominica
$161.5 million (2001)

Dominican Republic
$6.567 billion (2003 est.)

East Timor
NA

Ecuador
$15.69 billion (2003)

Egypt
$30.34 billion (2003 est.)

El Salvador
$6.575 billion (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea
$248 million (2000 est.)

Eritrea
$311 million (2000 est.)

Estonia
$7.002 billion (2003 est.)

Ethiopia
$2.9 billion (2001 est.)

European Union
$NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
NA (1999 est.)

Faroe Islands
$64 million (1999)

Fiji
$188.1 million (2001 est.)

Finland
$30 billion (December 1993)

France
NA

French Guiana
$1.2 billion (1988)

French Polynesia
NA (2000 est.)

Gabon
$3.284 billion (2003 est.)

Gambia, The
$476 million (2001 est.)

Gaza Strip
$108 million (includes West Bank) (1997 est.)

Georgia
$1.8 billion (2002)

Germany
NA (2000 est.)

Ghana
$7.398 billion (2003 est.)

Gibraltar
NA (2000 est.)

Greece
$65.51 billion (2003 est.)

Greenland
$25 million (1999)

Grenada
$196 million (2000)

Guadeloupe
NA (yearend 2003 est.)

Guam
NA (2003 est.)

Guatemala
$4.957 billion (2003 est.)

Guernsey
NA

Guinea
$3.25 billion (2001 est.)

Guinea-Bissau
$941.5 million (2000 est.)

Guyana
$1.2 billion (2002)

Haiti
$1.2 billion (1999)

Honduras
$5.246 billion (2003)

Hong Kong
$59.21 billion (2003 est.)

Hungary
$42.38 billion (2003 est.)

Iceland
$2.6 billion (1999)

India
$101.7 billion (2003 est.)

Indonesia
$135.7 billion (2003 est.)

Iran
$10.96 billion (2003 est.)

Iraq
$93.95 billion (2003 est.)

Ireland
$11 billion (1998)

Israel
$70.97 billion (2003 est.)

Italy
$868.5 billion NA (2003)

Jamaica
$4.962 billion (2003 est.)

Japan
NA (2002 est.)

Jersey
none

Jordan
$7.683 billion (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan
$24.45 billion (2003 est.)

Kenya
$5.916 billion (2003 est.)

Kiribati
$10 million (1999 est.)

Korea, North
$12 billion (1996 est.)

Korea, South
$130.3 billion (2003 est.)

Kuwait
$12.18 billion (2003 est.)

Kyrgyzstan
$1.5 billion (2002 est.)

Laos
$2.49 billion (2001)

Latvia
$6.793 billion (2003 est.)

Lebanon
$20.79 billion (2003 est.)

Lesotho
$735 million (2002)

Liberia
$2.1 billion (2000 est.)

Libya
$4.194 billion (2003 est.)

Liechtenstein
$0 (2001)

Lithuania
$7.671 billion (2003 est.)

Luxembourg
NA

Macau
$121 million (2001 est.)

Macedonia
$1.929 billion (2003 est.)

Madagascar
$4.6 billion (2002)

Malawi
$3.026 billion (2003)

Malaysia
$48.84 billion (2003 est.)

Maldives
$281 million (2003 est.)

Mali
$3.3 billion (2000)

Malta
$130 million (1997)

Man, Isle of
NA

Marshall Islands
$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)

Martinique
$180 million (1994)

Mauritania
$2.5 billion (2000)

Mauritius
$1.75 billion (2003 est.)

Mayotte
NA

Mexico
$159.8 billion (2003 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of
$53.1 million (FY02/03 est.)

Moldova
$1.515 billion (2003)

Monaco
NA (2000 est.)

Mongolia
$885 million (2001 est.)

Montserrat
$8.9 million (1997)

Morocco
$17.32 billion (2003 est.)

Mozambique
$966 million (2002 est.)

Namibia
$1.04 billion (2003 est.)

Nauru
$33.3 million (2002)

Nepal
$2.7 billion (2001)

Netherlands Antilles
$1.35 billion (1996)

New Caledonia
$79 million (1998 est.)

New Zealand
$37.46 billion (2003 est.)

Nicaragua
$5.833 billion (2003 est.)

Niger
$1.6 billion (1999 est.)

Nigeria
$31.07 billion (2003 est.)

Niue
$418,000 (2002 est.)

Norfolk Island
NA

Northern Mariana Islands
NA

Norway
$0 (Norway is a net external creditor) (2003 est.)

Oman
$5.973 billion (2003 est.)

Pakistan
$33.54 billion (2003 est.)

Palau
$0 (FY99/00)

Panama
$8.834 billion (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea
$2.909 billion (2003 est.)

Paraguay
$2.96 billion (2003 est.)

Peru
$29.95 billion (2003 est.)

Philippines
$57.96 billion (2003)

Pitcairn Islands
NA

Poland
$86.82 billion (2003)

Portugal
$250.7 billion (2003 est.)

Puerto Rico
NA

Qatar
$17.5 billion (2003 est.)

Reunion
NA

Romania
$18.34 billion (2003 est.)

Russia
$175.9 billion (2003)

Rwanda
$1.3 billion (2000 est.)

Saint Helena
NA (1996)

Saint Kitts and Nevis
$171 million (2001)

Saint Lucia
$214 million (2000)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon
NA (2003 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
$167.2 million (2000)

Samoa
$197 million (2000)

San Marino
NA

Sao Tome and Principe
$318 million (2002)

Saudi Arabia
$39.16 billion (2003)

Senegal
$3.009 billion (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro
$14.01 billion (2003 est.)

Seychelles
$213 million (2003 est.)

Sierra Leone
$1.5 billion (2002 est.)

Singapore
$15.06 billion (2003 est.)

Slovakia
$18.31 billion (2003 est.)

Slovenia
$11.33 billion (2003)

Solomon Islands
$162.5 million (2001 est.)

Somalia
$2.6 billion (2000 est.)

South Africa
$25.9 billion (2003 est.)

Spain
$718.4 billion (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka
$10.52 billion (2003)

Sudan
$16.09 billion (2003 est.)

Suriname
$321 million (2002 est.)

Swaziland
$320 million (2002 est.)

Sweden
$66.5 billion (1994)

Switzerland
NA (2000)

Syria
$21.55 billion (2003 est.)

Taiwan
$53.44 billion (2003)

Tajikistan
$1 billion (2002 est.)

Tanzania
$6.549 billion (2003 est.)

Thailand
$53.75 billion (2003 est.)

Togo
$1.4 billion (2000)

Tokelau
$0

Tonga
$63.4 million (2001)

Trinidad and Tobago
$2.608 billion (2003 est.)

Tunisia
$14.39 billion (2003 est.)

Turkey
$147.3 billion (2003)

Turkmenistan
$2.4 billion to $5 billion (2001 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands
NA (2002 est.)

Tuvalu
NA

Uganda
$3.818 billion (2003 est.)

Ukraine
$16.13 billion (2003)

United Arab Emirates
$20.71 billion (2003 est.)

United Kingdom
NA (2002 est.)

United States
$1.4 trillion (2001 est.)

Uruguay
$10.73 billion (2003)

Uzbekistan
$4.384 billion (2003 est.)

Vanuatu
$65.8 million (2001 est.)

Venezuela
$32.51 billion (2003)

Vietnam
$14.69 billion (2003)

Virgin Islands
NA

Wallis and Futuna
NA

West Bank
$108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.)

Western Sahara
NA

World
$2 trillion for less developed countries (2002 est.)

Yemen
$6.044 billion (2003)

Zambia
$5.281 billion (2003)

Zimbabwe
$3.404 billion (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

======================================================================

@2080 Fiscal year

Afghanistan
21 March - 20 March

Albania
calendar year

Algeria
calendar year

American Samoa
1 October - 30 September

Andorra
calendar year

Angola
calendar year

Anguilla
1 April - 31 March

Antigua and Barbuda
1 April - 31 March

Argentina
calendar year

Armenia
calendar year

Aruba
calendar year

Australia
1 July - 30 June

Austria
calendar year

Azerbaijan
calendar year

Bahamas, The
1 July - 30 June

Bahrain
calendar year

Bangladesh
1 July - 30 June

Barbados
1 April - 31 March

Belarus
calendar year

Belgium
calendar year

Belize
1 April - 31 March

Benin
calendar year

Bermuda
1 April - 31 March

Bhutan
1 July - 30 June

Bolivia
calendar year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
calendar year

Botswana
1 April - 31 March

Brazil
calendar year

British Virgin Islands
1 April - 31 March

Brunei
calendar year

Bulgaria
calendar year

Burkina Faso
calendar year

Burma
1 April - 31 March

Burundi
calendar year

Cambodia
calendar year

Cameroon
1 July - 30 June

Canada
1 April - 31 March

Cape Verde
calendar year

Cayman Islands
1 April - 31 March

Central African Republic
calendar year

Chad
calendar year

Chile
calendar year

China
calendar year

Christmas Island
1 July - 30 June

Cocos (Keeling) Islands
1 July - 30 June

Colombia
calendar year

Comoros
calendar year

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
calendar year

Congo, Republic of the
calendar year

Cook Islands
1 April - 31 March

Costa Rica
calendar year

Cote d'Ivoire
calendar year

Croatia
calendar year

Cuba
calendar year

Cyprus
calendar year

Czech Republic
calendar year

Denmark
calendar year

Djibouti
calendar year

Dominica
1 July - 30 June

Dominican Republic
calendar year

East Timor
1 July - 30 June

Ecuador
calendar year

Egypt
1 July - 30 June

El Salvador
calendar year

Equatorial Guinea
1 January - 31 December

Eritrea
calendar year

Estonia
calendar year

Ethiopia
8 July - 7 July

European Union
NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
1 April - 31 March

Faroe Islands
calendar year

Fiji
calendar year

Finland
calendar year

France
calendar year

French Guiana
calendar year

French Polynesia
calendar year

Gabon
calendar year

Gambia, The
calendar year

Gaza Strip
calendar year

Georgia
calendar year

Germany
calendar year

Ghana
calendar year

Gibraltar
1 July - 30 June

Greece
calendar year

Greenland
calendar year

Grenada
calendar year

Guadeloupe
calendar year

Guam
1 October - 30 September

Guatemala
calendar year

Guernsey
calendar year

Guinea
calendar year

Guinea-Bissau
calendar year

Guyana
calendar year

Haiti
1 October - 30 September

Holy See (Vatican City)
calendar year

Honduras
calendar year

Hong Kong
1 April - 31 March

Hungary
calendar year

Iceland
calendar year

India
1 April - 31 March

Indonesia
calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March,
but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year

Iran
21 March - 20 March

Iraq
calendar year

Ireland
calendar year

Israel
calendar year

Italy
calendar year

Jamaica
1 April - 31 March

Japan
1 April - 31 March

Jersey
1 April - 31 March

Jordan
calendar year

Kazakhstan
calendar year

Kenya
1 July - 30 June

Kiribati
NA

Korea, North
calendar year

Korea, South
calendar year

Kuwait
1 April - 31 March

Kyrgyzstan
calendar year

Laos
1 October - 30 September

Latvia
calendar year

Lebanon
calendar year

Lesotho
1 April - 31 March

Liberia
calendar year

Libya
calendar year

Liechtenstein
calendar year

Lithuania
calendar year

Luxembourg
calendar year

Macau
calendar year

Macedonia
calendar year

Madagascar
calendar year

Malawi
1 July - 30 June

Malaysia
calendar year

Maldives
calendar year

Mali
calendar year

Malta
1 April - 31 March

Man, Isle of
1 April - 31 March

Marshall Islands
1 October - 30 September

Martinique
calendar year

Mauritania
calendar year

Mauritius
1 July - 30 June

Mayotte
calendar year

Mexico
calendar year

Micronesia, Federated States of
1 October - 30 September

Moldova
calendar year

Monaco
calendar year

Mongolia
calendar year

Montserrat
1 April - 31 March

Morocco
calendar year

Mozambique
calendar year

Namibia
1 April - 31 March

Nauru
1 July - 30 June

Nepal
16 July - 15 July

Netherlands
calendar year

Netherlands Antilles
calendar year

New Caledonia
calendar year

New Zealand
1 July - 30 June

Nicaragua
calendar year

Niger
calendar year

Nigeria
calendar year

Niue
1 April - 31 March

Norfolk Island
1 July - 30 June

Northern Mariana Islands
1 October - 30 September

Norway
calendar year

Oman
calendar year

Pakistan
1 July - 30 June

Palau
1 October - 30 September

Panama
calendar year

Papua New Guinea
calendar year

Paraguay
calendar year

Peru
calendar year

Philippines
calendar year

Pitcairn Islands
1 April - 31 March

Poland
calendar year

Portugal
calendar year

Puerto Rico
1 July - 30 June

Qatar
1 April - 31 March

Reunion
calendar year

Romania
calendar year

Russia
calendar year

Rwanda
calendar year

Saint Helena
1 April - 31 March

Saint Kitts and Nevis
calendar year

Saint Lucia
1 April - 31 March

Saint Pierre and Miquelon
calendar year

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
calendar year

Samoa
June 1 - May 31

San Marino
calendar year

Sao Tome and Principe
calendar year

Saudi Arabia
calendar year

Senegal
calendar year

Serbia and Montenegro
calendar year

Seychelles
calendar year

Sierra Leone
calendar year

Singapore
1 April - 31 March

Slovakia
calendar year

Slovenia
calendar year

Solomon Islands
calendar year

Somalia
NA

South Africa
1 April - 31 March

Spain
calendar year

Sri Lanka
calendar year

Sudan
calendar year

Suriname
calendar year

Swaziland
1 April - 31 March

Sweden
calendar year

Switzerland
calendar year

Syria
calendar year

Taiwan
1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December
2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00)

Tajikistan
calendar year

Tanzania
1 July - 30 June

Thailand
1 October - 30 September

Togo
calendar year

Tokelau
1 April - 31 March

Tonga
1 July - 30 June

Trinidad and Tobago
1 October - 30 September

Tunisia
calendar year

Turkey
calendar year

Turkmenistan
calendar year

Turks and Caicos Islands
calendar year

Tuvalu
calendar year

Uganda
1 July - 30 June

Ukraine
calendar year

United Arab Emirates
calendar year

United Kingdom
6 April - 5 April

United States
1 October - 30 September

Uruguay
calendar year

Uzbekistan
calendar year

Vanuatu
calendar year

Venezuela
calendar year

Vietnam
calendar year

Virgin Islands
1 October - 30 September

Wallis and Futuna
calendar year

West Bank
calendar year (since 1 January 1992)

Western Sahara
calendar year

Yemen
calendar year

Zambia
calendar year

Zimbabwe
1 January - 31 December

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

======================================================================

@2081 Flag description

Afghanistan
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and
green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem
features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left
and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above

Akrotiri
the flag of the UK is used

Albania
red with a black two-headed eagle in the center

Algeria
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a
red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the
two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are
traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)

American Samoa
blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is
based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and
white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying
two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club

Andorra
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the
coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of
Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the
center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem

Angola
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a
centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half
a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

Anguilla
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an
interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy
water below

Antigua and Barbuda
red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based
on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal
bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising
sun in the black band

Argentina
three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white,
and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun
with a human face known as the Sun of May

Armenia
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange

Aruba
blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the
lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the
upper hoist-side corner

Ashmore and Cartier Islands
the flag of Australia is used

Australia
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side
quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation
of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for
each of the six original states and one representing all of
Australia's internal and external territories; the remaining half is
a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with
one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars

Austria
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red

Azerbaijan
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and
green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in
red band

Bahamas, The
three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold,
and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist
side

Bahrain
red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states,
with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side;
the five points represent the five pillars of Islam

Baker Island
the flag of the US is used

Bangladesh
green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of
center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve
independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and
secondarily, the traditional color of Islam

Barbados
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and
blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the
trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the
colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Bassas da India
the flag of France is used

Belarus
red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half
the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side
bears Belarusian national ornamention in red

Belgium
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow,
and red; the design was based on the flag of France

Belize
blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom
edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the
coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a
mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in
the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green
garland

Benin
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a
vertical green band on the hoist side

Bermuda
red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with
a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship
Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the
flag

Bhutan
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the
upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered
along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing
away from the hoist side

Bolivia
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green
with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the
flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in
the yellow band

Bosnia and Herzegovina
a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly
side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top
of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven
full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom
along the hypotenuse of the triangle

Botswana
light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in
the center

Bouvet Island
the flag of Norway is used

Brazil
green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a
blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each
state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the
night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with
the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)

British Indian Ocean Territory
white with six blue wavy horizontal
stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the
striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the
outer half of the flag

British Virgin Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in
the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked
on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll
bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

Brunei
yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double
width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national
emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a
swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned
crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands

Bulgaria
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and
red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white
stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a
wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a
ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and
1944 (liberation from Nazi control)

Burkina Faso
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with
a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Burma
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing, 14 white five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel
containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 7
administrative divisions and 7 states

Burundi
divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and
bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white
disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars
outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,
two stars below)

Cambodia
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width),
and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat
outlined in black in the center of the red band; only national flag
to incorporate a building in its design

Cameroon
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and
yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Canada
two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width),
with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is
centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red
and white

Cape Verde
three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width),
white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light
blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the
hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower
blue bands

Cayman Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above
a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE
SEAS

Central African Republic
four equal horizontal bands of blue (top),
white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there
is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band

Chad
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of
Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms
centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France

Chile
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a
blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end
of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the
center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes
the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the
blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the
US flag

China
red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller
yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the
middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner

Christmas Island
the flag of Australia is used; note - in early
1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an
island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally
adopted as the official flag of the territory

Clipperton Island
the flag of France is used

Cocos (Keeling) Islands
the flag of Australia is used

Colombia
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue,
and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears
the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Comoros
four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and
blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered
within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing
the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a
line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and
the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -
Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of
France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color
green are traditional symbols of Islam

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
light blue with a large yellow
five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six
small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side

Congo, Republic of the
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side
by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the
lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia

Cook Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

Coral Sea Islands
the flag of Australia is used

Costa Rica
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double
width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical
disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a
light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just
below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the
words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA

Cote d'Ivoire
three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side),
white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer
and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side),
white, and red; design was based on the flag of France

Croatia
red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of
arms (red and white checkered)

Cuba
five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; design
influenced by the US flag

Cyprus
white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the
name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two
green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches
symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek
and Turkish communities
note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a
horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red
crescent and red star on a white field

Czech Republic
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red
with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to
the flag of the former Czechoslovakia)

Denmark
red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side,
and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was
subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland,
Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Dhekelia
the flag of the UK is used

Djibouti
two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light
green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
bearing a red five-pointed star in the center

Dominica
green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the
vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the
horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in
the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot
encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10
stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)

Dominican Republic
a centered white cross that extends to the edges
divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist
side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a
small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch
(left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross;
above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA,
LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA
DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon

East Timor
red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist
side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that
extends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in the
center of the black triangle

Ecuador
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue,
and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the
flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not
bear a coat of arms

Egypt
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;
the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side
with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the
name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is
based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria,
which has two green stars, Iraq, which has three green stars (plus
an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white
band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band

El Salvador
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and
blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the
coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag
of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the
white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA
DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar
to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X
pattern centered in the white band

Equatorial Guinea
three equal horizontal bands of green (top),
white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist
side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of
arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and
five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton
tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ,
JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)

Eritrea
red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing
the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the
lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is
centered on the hoist side of the red triangle

Estonia
pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three
equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Ethiopia
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and
red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from
the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the
three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa,
and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other
African countries upon independence that they became known as the
pan-African colors

Europa Island
the flag of France is used

European Union
on a blue field, 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged
in a circle, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the
number of stars is fixed

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
blue with the flag of the UK in
the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a
white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the
sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Faroe Islands
white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to
the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted
toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Fiji
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the
flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered
by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm
tree, bananas, and a white dove

Finland
white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag;
the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the
style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

France
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and
red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the
origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the
design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags,
including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire,
Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French
dependent areas

French Guiana
the flag of France is used

French Polynesia
two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white
band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave
pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the
upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave
pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions

French Southern and Antarctic Lands
the flag of France is used

Gabon
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue

Gambia, The
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with
white edges, and green

Georgia
white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross
connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners
is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears
to date back to the 14th century

Germany
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold

Ghana
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green
with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag
of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band

Gibraltar
two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red
with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band;
hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band

Glorioso Islands
the flag of France is used

Greece
nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white;
there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a
white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established
religion of the country

Greenland
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a
large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of
the disk is red, the bottom half is white

Grenada
a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top
and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a
red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed
stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in
the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the
center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the
hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer
of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven
administrative divisions

Guadeloupe
the flag of France is used

Guam
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all
four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse
containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree
with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the
national flag

Guatemala
three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side),
white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white
band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the
national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE
SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain)
all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed
swords and framed by a wreath

Guernsey
white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of
England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed
cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross

Guinea
three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and
green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Guinea-Bissau
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green
with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black
five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Guyana
green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist
side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow,
black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border
between the yellow and the green

Haiti
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a
centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a
palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing
the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands
the flag of Australia is used

Holy See (Vatican City)
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side)
and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter
centered in the white band

Honduras
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue
with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered
in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former
Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El
Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white
band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a
triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and
AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band

Hong Kong
red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in
the center

Howland Island
the flag of the US is used

Hungary
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green

Iceland
blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

India
three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange)
(top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel)
centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has
a small orange disk centered in the white band

Indonesia
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar
to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of
Poland, which is white (top) and red

Iran
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red;
the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in
the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in
the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is
repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11
times along the top edge of the red band

Iraq
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in
the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green
Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to
the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the
Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two
stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that
of Egypt which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white
band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors

Ireland
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and
has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors
of green (hoist side), white, and red

Israel
white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as
the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal
horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag

Italy
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green
(hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the
Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side),
white, and green
note: inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in
1797

Jamaica
diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles -
green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)

Jan Mayen
the flag of Norway is used

Japan
white with a large red disk (representing the sun without
rays) in the center

Jarvis Island
the flag of the US is used

Jersey
white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of
the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red
shield with the three lions of England in yellow

Johnston Atoll
the flag of the US is used

Jordan
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the
Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and
green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle
on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and
bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven
verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven
points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national
spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is
based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I

Juan de Nova Island
the flag of France is used

Kazakhstan
sky blue background representing the endless sky and a
gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the
center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold

Kenya
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green;
the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering
crossed spears is superimposed at the center

Kingman Reef
the flag of the US is used

Kiribati
the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying
over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three
horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean

Korea, North
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple
width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side
of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star

Korea, South
white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the
center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching
(Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

Kuwait
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red
with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates
to 1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I

Kyrgyzstan
red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays
representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run
counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the
sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized
representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt

Laos
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and
red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

Latvia
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width),
and maroon

Lebanon
three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width),
and red with a green cedar tree centered in the white band

Lesotho
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the
upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield
with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band
with a green triangle in the corner

Liberia
11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue
square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the
US flag

Libya
plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the
state religion)

Liechtenstein
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with
a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band

Lithuania
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and
red

Luxembourg
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a
darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France

Macau
light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and
water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one
large in center of arc and four smaller

Macedonia
a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the
edges of the red field

Madagascar
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Malawi
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green
with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band

Malaysia
14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with
white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the
crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design
was based on the flag of the US

Maldives
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a
vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the
hoist side of the flag

Mali
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and
red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Malta
two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the
upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross,
edged in red

Man, Isle of
red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in
the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the
knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of
the flag, a two-sided emblem is used

Marshall Islands
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower
hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star
with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the
two stripes

Martinique
a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by
a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the
flag of France is used for official occasions

Mauritania
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow,
horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the
crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Mauritius
four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow,
and green

Mayotte
the flag of France is used

Mexico
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in
its beak) is centered in the white band

Micronesia, Federated States of
light blue with four white
five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond
pattern

Midway Islands
the flag of the US is used

Moldova
same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of
blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a
Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons
carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its
right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast
is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox
head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow

Monaco
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to
the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which
is white (top) and red

Mongolia
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and
red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national
emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric
representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang
symbol)

Montserrat
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside
a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross

Morocco
red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known
as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and
green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red
is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian
gulf; design dates to 1912

Mozambique
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and
yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the
black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow
five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black
superimposed on an open white book

Namibia
a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper
left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower
right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is
contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders

Nauru
blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the
center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the
hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to
the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12
original tribes of Nauru

Navassa Island
the flag of the US is used

Nepal
red with a blue border around the unique shape of two
overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a
white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white
12-pointed sun

Netherlands
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue
and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating
with William I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th
century

Comments

Log in to leave a comment.

The 2004 CIA World FactbookChapter LXXXVII: Section 3: , Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: 886 (2) 2162-2000, FAX (23)

0%30 min left in chapter