Cook Islands$141 million (1996 est.)
Costa Rica$4.8 billion (2002 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire$10.3 billion (2002 est.)
Croatia$16.5 billion (yearend 2002 est.)
Cuba$12.3 billion (convertible currency); another $15 billion -$20billion owed to Russia (2002 est.)
CyprusGreek Cypriot area: $8 billion; Turkish Cypriot area: $NA(2002)
Czech Republic$23.8 billion (2002)
Denmark$21.7 billion (2000)
Djibouti$366 million (2002 est.)
Dominica$161.5 million (2001)
Dominican Republic$4.8 billion (2002 est.)
East Timor$NA
Ecuador$14.4 billion (2002)
Egypt$30.5 billion (2002 est.)
El Salvador$5.6 billion (2001 est.)
Equatorial Guinea$248 million (2000 est.)
Eritrea$311 million (2000 est.)
Estonia$3.3 billion (2001 est.)
Ethiopia$5.3 billion (2001 est.)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)$NA
Faroe Islands$64 million (1999)
Fiji$135.9 million (2000)
Finland$30 billion (December 1993)
FranceNA (1998)
French Guiana$1.2 billion (1988)
French Polynesia$NA
Gabon$3.8 billion (2002 est.)
Gambia, The$476 million (2001 est.)
Gaza Strip$108 million (includes West Bank) (1997 est.)
Georgia$1.7 billion (2001)
Germany$NA
Ghana$7.2 billion (2002 est.)
Gibraltar$NA
Greece$63.4 billion (2002 est.)
Greenland$25 million (1999)
Grenada$196 million (2000)
Guadeloupe$NA
Guam$NA
Guatemala$4.9 billion (2002 est.)
Guernsey$NA
Guinea$3.4 billion (2000 est.)
Guinea-Bissau$941.5 million (2000 est.)
Guyana$1.2 billion (2002)
Haiti$1.2 billion (1999)
Honduras$5.4 billion (2002)
Hong Kong$49.5 billion (2002 est.)
Hungary$31.5 billion (2002 est.)
Iceland$2.6 billion (1999)
India$100.6 billion (2001 est.)
Indonesia$131 billion (2002 est.)
Iran$8.7 billion (2002 est.)
Iraq$120 billion (2002 est.)
Ireland$11 billion (1998)
Israel$42.8 billion (2001 est.)
ItalyNA
Jamaica$5.3 billion (2002 est.)
Japan$NA
Jerseynone
Jordan$8.2 billion (2002 est.)
Kazakhstan$6.6 billion (2002 est.)
Kenya$5.7 billion (2002 est.)
Kiribati$10 million (1999 est.)
Korea, North$12 billion (1996 est.)
Korea, South$135.2 billion (yearend 2002 est.)
Kuwait$10.4 billion (2000 est.)
Kyrgyzstan$1.5 billion (2002 est.)
Laos$2.53 billion (1999)
Latvia$3.4 billion (2000 est.)
Lebanon$9.3 billion (2002 est.)
Lesotho$735 million (2002)
Liberia$2.1 billion (2000 est.)
Libya$4.4 billion (2001 est.)
Liechtenstein$0 (2001)
Lithuania$5.8 billion (2002 est.)
Luxembourg$NA
Macau$255 million (2000 est.)
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of$1.3 billion (2001 est.)
Madagascar$4.6 billion (2002)
Malawi$2.9 billion (2002)
Malaysia$47.5 billion (2002 est.)
Maldives$281 million (2003 est.)
Mali$3.3 billion (2000)
Malta$130 million (1997)
Man, Isle of$NA
Marshall Islands$86.5 million (FY 99/00 est.)
Martinique$180 million (1994)
Mauritania$2.5 billion (2000)
Mauritius$2.4 billion (2002 est.)
Mayotte$NA
Mexico$150 billion (2000 est.)
Micronesia, Federated States of$53.1 million (FY 02/03 est.)
Moldova$1.3 billion (2002)
Monaco$NA
Mongolia$913 million (2001 est.)
Montserrat$8.9 million (1997)
Morocco$17.7 billion (2002 est.)
Mozambique$966 million (2002 est.)
Namibia$517 million (2002 est.)
Nauru$33.3 million
Nepal$2.55 billion (FY 00/01)
Netherlands Antilles$1.35 billion (1996)
New Caledonia$79 million (1998 est.)
New Zealand$33 billion (2002 est.)
Nicaragua$5.8 billion (2002 est.)
Niger$1.6 billion (1999 est.)
Nigeria$29.7 billion (2002 est.)
Niue$418,000 (2002 est.)
Norfolk Island$NA
Northern Mariana Islands$NA
Norway$0 (Norway is a net external creditor)
Oman$5.7 billion (2002 est.)
Pakistan$32.3 billion (2002 est.)
Palau$0 (FY 99/00)
Panama$7 billion (2002 est.)
Papua New Guinea$2.8 billion (2002 est.)
Paraguay$3.2 billion (2002 est.)
Peru$29.2 billion (2002 est.)
Philippines$60.3 billion (2002)
Pitcairn Islands$NA
Poland$64 billion (2002)
Portugal$13.1 billion (1997 est.)
Puerto Rico$NA
Qatar$15.4 billion (2002 est.)
Reunion$NA
Romania$13.7 billion (2002 est.)
Russia$153.5 billion (yearend 2002)
Rwanda$1.3 billion (2000 est.)
Saint Helena$NA
Saint Kitts and Nevis$171 million (2001)
Saint Lucia$214 million (2000)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon$NA
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines$167.2 million (2000)
Samoa$197 million (2000)
San Marino$NA
Sao Tome and Principe$253.8 million (2000)
Saudi Arabia$25.9 billion (2003 est.)
Senegal$3.1 billion (2002 est.)
Serbia and Montenegro$9.2 billion (2001 est.)
Seychelles$170 million (2002 est.)
Sierra Leone$1.5 billion (2002 est.)
Singapore$8.2 billion (2002 est.)
Slovakia$9.6 billion (2002 est.)
Slovenia$7.9 billion (2001)
Solomon Islands$137 million (2001 est.)
Somalia$2.6 billion (2000 est.)
South Africa$24.7 billion (2002 est.)
Spain$90 billion (1993 est.)
Sri Lanka$9.8 billion (2002)
Sudan$15.8 billion (2002 est.)
Suriname$321 million (2002 est.)
Swaziland$320 million (2002 est.)
Sweden$66.5 billion (1994)
Switzerland$NA
Syria$22 billion (2002 est.)
Taiwan$24.7 billion (2002)
Tajikistan$1 billion (2002 est.)
Tanzania$6.8 billion (2002 est.)
Thailand$62.5 billion (2002 est.)
Togo$1.4 billion (2000)
Tokelau$0
Tonga$57.5 million (June 2001)
Trinidad and Tobago$2.8 billion (2002 est.)
Tunisia$13.6 billion (2003 est.)
Turkey$118.3 billion (Yearend 2001)
Turkmenistan$2.4 billion to $5 billion (2001 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands$NA
Tuvalu$NA
Uganda$2.8 billion (2002 est.)
Ukraine$14.2 billion (2002)
United Arab Emirates$18.5 billion (2002 est.)
United Kingdom$NA
United States$862 billion (1995 est.)
Uruguay$11.8 billion (2002 est.)
Uzbekistan$4.6 billion (2002 est.)
Vanuatu$68.6 million (2000 est.)
Venezuela$38.2 billion (2000)
Vietnam$14.1 billion (2001)
Virgin Islands$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$6.2 billion (2002)
Zambia$5.8 billion (2001)
Zimbabwe$3.9 billion (2002 est.)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@2080 Fiscal year
Afghanistan21 March - 20 March
Albaniacalendar year
Algeriacalendar year
American Samoa1 October - 30 September
Andorracalendar year
Angolacalendar year
Anguilla1 April - 31 March
Antigua and Barbuda1 April - 31 March
Argentinacalendar year
Armeniacalendar year
Arubacalendar year
Australia1 July - 30 June
Austriacalendar year
Azerbaijancalendar year
Bahamas, The1 July - 30 June
Bahraincalendar year
Bangladesh1 July - 30 June
Barbados1 April - 31 March
Belaruscalendar year
Belgiumcalendar year
Belize1 April - 31 March
Benincalendar year
Bermuda1 April - 31 March
Bhutan1 July - 30 June
Boliviacalendar year
Bosnia and Herzegovinacalendar year
Botswana1 April - 31 March
Brazilcalendar year
British Virgin Islands1 April - 31 March
Bruneicalendar year
Bulgariacalendar year
Burkina Fasocalendar year
Burma1 April - 31 March
Burundicalendar year
Cambodiacalendar year
Cameroon1 July - 30 June
Canada1 April - 31 March
Cape Verdecalendar year
Cayman Islands1 April - 31 March
Central African Republiccalendar year
Chadcalendar year
Chilecalendar year
Chinacalendar year
Christmas Island1 July - 30 June
Cocos (Keeling) Islands1 July - 30 June
Colombiacalendar year
Comoroscalendar year
Congo, Democratic Republic of thecalendar year
Congo, Republic of thecalendar year
Cook Islands1 April - 31 March
Costa Ricacalendar year
Cote d'Ivoirecalendar year
Croatiacalendar year
Cubacalendar year
Cypruscalendar year
Czech Republiccalendar year
Denmarkcalendar year
Djibouticalendar year
Dominica1 July - 30 June
Dominican Republiccalendar year
East Timor1 July - 30 June
Ecuadorcalendar year
Egypt1 July - 30 June
El Salvadorcalendar year
Equatorial Guinea1 January - 31 December
Eritreacalendar year
Estoniacalendar year
Ethiopia8 July - 7 July
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)1 April - 31 March
Faroe Islandscalendar year
Fijicalendar year
Finlandcalendar year
Francecalendar year
French Guianacalendar year
French Polynesiacalendar year
Gaboncalendar year
Gambia, Thecalendar year
Gaza Stripcalendar year
Georgiacalendar year
Germanycalendar year
Ghanacalendar year
Gibraltar1 July - 30 June
Greececalendar year
Greenlandcalendar year
Grenadacalendar year
Guadeloupecalendar year
Guam1 October - 30 September
Guatemalacalendar year
Guernseycalendar year
Guineacalendar year
Guinea-Bissaucalendar year
Guyanacalendar year
Haiti1 October - 30 September
Holy See (Vatican City)calendar year
Hondurascalendar year
Hong Kong1 April - 31 March
Hungarycalendar year
Icelandcalendar year
India1 April - 31 March
Indonesiacalendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March,but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year
Iran21 March - 20 March
Iraqcalendar year
Irelandcalendar year
Israelcalendar year
Italycalendar year
Jamaica1 April - 31 March
Japan1 April - 31 March
Jersey1 April - 31 March
Jordancalendar year
Kazakhstancalendar year
Kenya1 July - 30 June
KiribatiNA
Korea, Northcalendar year
Korea, Southcalendar year
Kuwait1 April - 31 March
Kyrgyzstancalendar year
Laos1 October - 30 September
Latviacalendar year
Lebanoncalendar year
Lesotho1 April - 31 March
Liberiacalendar year
Libyacalendar year
Liechtensteincalendar year
Lithuaniacalendar year
Luxembourgcalendar year
Macaucalendar year
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic ofcalendar year
Madagascarcalendar year
Malawi1 July - 30 June
Malaysiacalendar year
Maldivescalendar year
Malicalendar year
Malta1 April - 31 March
Man, Isle of1 April - 31 March
Marshall Islands1 October - 30 September
Martiniquecalendar year
Mauritaniacalendar year
Mauritius1 July - 30 June
Mayottecalendar year
Mexicocalendar year
Micronesia, Federated States of1 October - 30 September
Moldovacalendar year
Monacocalendar year
Mongoliacalendar year
Montserrat1 April - 31 March
Moroccocalendar year
Mozambiquecalendar year
Namibia1 April - 31 March
Nauru1 July - 30 June
Nepal16 July - 15 July
Netherlandscalendar year
Netherlands Antillescalendar year
New Caledoniacalendar year
New Zealand1 July - 30 June
Nicaraguacalendar year
Nigercalendar year
Nigeriacalendar year
Niue1 April - 31 March
Norfolk Island1 July - 30 June
Northern Mariana Islands1 October - 30 September
Norwaycalendar year
Omancalendar year
Pakistan1 July - 30 June
Palau1 October - 30 September
Panamacalendar year
Papua New Guineacalendar year
Paraguaycalendar year
Perucalendar year
Philippinescalendar year
Pitcairn Islands1 April - 31 March
Polandcalendar year
Portugalcalendar year
Puerto Rico1 July - 30 June
Qatar1 April - 31 March
Reunioncalendar year
Romaniacalendar year
Russiacalendar year
Rwandacalendar year
Saint Helena1 April - 31 March
Saint Kitts and Neviscalendar year
Saint Lucia1 April - 31 March
Saint Pierre and Miqueloncalendar year
Saint Vincent and the Grenadinescalendar year
SamoaJune 1 - May 31
San Marinocalendar year
Sao Tome and Principecalendar year
Saudi Arabiacalendar year
Senegalcalendar year
Serbia and Montenegrocalendar year
Seychellescalendar year
Sierra Leonecalendar year
Singapore1 April - 31 March
Slovakiacalendar year
Sloveniacalendar year
Solomon Islandscalendar year
SomaliaNA
South Africa1 April - 31 March
Spaincalendar year
Sri Lankacalendar year
Sudancalendar year
Surinamecalendar year
Swaziland1 April - 31 March
Swedencalendar year
Switzerlandcalendar year
Syriacalendar year
Taiwan1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00)
Tajikistancalendar year
Tanzania1 July - 30 June
Thailand1 October - 30 September
Togocalendar year
Tokelau1 April - 31 March
Tonga1 July - 30 June
Trinidad and Tobago1 October - 30 September
Tunisiacalendar year
Turkeycalendar year
Turkmenistancalendar year
Turks and Caicos Islandscalendar year
Tuvalucalendar year
Uganda1 July - 30 June
Ukrainecalendar year
United Arab Emiratescalendar year
United Kingdom1 April - 31 March
United States1 October - 30 September
Uruguaycalendar year
Uzbekistancalendar year
Vanuatucalendar year
Venezuelacalendar year
Vietnamcalendar year
Virgin Islands1 October - 30 September
Wallis and Futunacalendar year
West Bankcalendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Western Saharacalendar year
Yemencalendar year
Zambiacalendar year
Zimbabwe1 January - 31 December
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
======================================================================
@2081 Flag description
Afghanistanthree equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, andgreen, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblemfeatures a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the leftand right and by a bold Islamic inscription above
Albaniared with a black two-headed eagle in the center
Algeriatwo equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; ared, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over thetwo-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green aretraditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)
American Samoablue, with a white triangle edged in red that isbased on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown andwhite American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carryingtwo traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club
Andorrathree equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, andred with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; thecoat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags ofChad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in thecenter, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Angolatwo equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with acentered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within halfa cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Anguillablue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-sidequadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer halfof the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in aninterlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavywater below
Antigua and Barbudared, with an inverted isosceles triangle basedon the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontalbands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow risingsun in the black band
Argentinathree equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white,and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sunwith a human face known as the Sun of May
Armeniathree equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange
Arubablue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across thelower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in theupper hoist-side corner
Ashmore and Cartier Islandsthe flag of Australia is used
Australiablue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-sidequadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-sidequadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federationof the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point foreach of the six original states and one representing all ofAustralia's internal and external territories; the remaining half isa representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white withone small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
Austriathree equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red
Azerbaijanthree equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, andgreen; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered inred band
Bahamas, Thethree equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold,and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoistside
Bahrainred with a white serrated band (five white points) on thehoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
Baker Islandthe flag of the US is used
Bangladeshgreen with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side ofcenter; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieveindependence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, andsecondarily, the traditional color of Islam
Barbadosthree equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, andblue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; thetrident head represents independence and a break with the past (thecolonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Bassas da Indiathe flag of France is used
Belarusred horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-halfthe width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist sidebears a Belarusian national ornament in red
Belgiumthree equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow,and red; the design was based on the flag of France
Belizeblue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottomedges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; thecoat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of amahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish inthe Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a greengarland
Benintwo equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with avertical green band on the hoist side
Bermudared, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-sidequadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield witha red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the shipSea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of theflag
Bhutandivided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; theupper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centeredalong the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facingaway from the hoist side
Boliviathree equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and greenwith the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to theflag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered inthe yellow band
Bosnia and Herzegovinaa wide medium blue vertical band on the flyside with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the topof the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with sevenfull five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottomalong the hypotenuse of the triangle
Botswanalight blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe inthe center
Bouvet Islandthe flag of Norway is used
Brazilgreen with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing ablue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for eachstate and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as thenight sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band withthe 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 Islandsblue, with the flag of the UK in the upperhoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered inthe outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flankedon either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scrollbearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Bruneiyellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost doublewidth) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the nationalemblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes aswallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturnedcrescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Bulgariathree equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, andred; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the whitestripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within awreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above aribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and1944 (liberation from Nazi control)
Burkina Fasotwo equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green witha yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popularpan-African colors of Ethiopia
Burmared with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side cornerbearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheelcontaining a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14administrative divisions
Burundidivided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top andbottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a whitedisk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed starsoutlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,two stars below)
Cambodiathree horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width),and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Watoutlined in black in the center of the red band
Cameroonthree equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, andyellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band;uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Canadatwo vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width),with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf iscentered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are redand white
Cape Verdethree horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width),white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and lightblue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on thehoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lowerblue bands
Cayman Islandsblue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-sidequadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer halfof the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle abovea shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and ascroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THESEAS
Central African Republicfour equal horizontal bands of blue (top),white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; thereis a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
Chadthree equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, andred; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags ofAndorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of armscentered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
Chiletwo equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is ablue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side endof the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in thecenter representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizesthe sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for theblood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by theUS flag
Chinared with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smalleryellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward themiddle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
Christmas Islandthe flag of Australia is used; note - in early1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for anisland flag, however, the winning design has never been formallyadopted as the official flag of the territory
Clipperton Islandthe flag of France is used
Cocos (Keeling) Islandsthe flag of Australia is used
Colombiathree horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue,and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bearsthe Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Comorosfour equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, andblue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centeredwithin the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facingthe hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in aline between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands andthe four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity ofFrance, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and colorgreen are traditional symbols of Islam
Congo, Democratic Republic of thelight blue with a large yellowfive-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of sixsmall yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side
Congo, Republic of thedivided diagonally from the lower hoist sideby a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and thelower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors ofEthiopia
Cook Islandsblue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-sidequadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one forevery island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Coral Sea Islandsthe flag of Australia is used
Costa Ricafive horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (doublewidth), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white ellipticaldisk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms alight blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and justbelow it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with thewords, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
Cote d'Ivoirethree equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side),white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longerand 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
Croatiared, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat ofarms (red and white checkered)
Cubafive equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on thehoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; designinfluenced by the US flag
Cypruswhite with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (thename Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above twogreen crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branchessymbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greekand Turkish communitiesnote: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at thetop and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on awhite field
Czech Republictwo equal horizontal bands of white (top) and redwith a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical tothe flag of the former Czechoslovakia)
Denmarkred with a white cross that extends to the edges of theflag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side,and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) wassubsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland,Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Djiboutitwo equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and lightgreen with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist sidebearing a red five-pointed star in the center
Dominicagreen, with a centered cross of three equal bands - thevertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and thehorizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed inthe center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrotencircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Dominican Republica centered white cross that extends to the edgesdivides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoistside) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; asmall 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, REPUBLICADOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon
East Timorred, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoistside) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead thatextends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in thecenter of the black triangle
Ecuadorthree horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue,and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of theflag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does notbear a coat of arms
Egyptthree equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blackwith the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eaglefacing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the countryin Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen,which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria,which has two green stars, and to the flag of Iraq, which has threegreen stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal linecentered in the white band
El Salvadorthree equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, andblue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; thecoat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the wordsREPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flagof Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in thewhite band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICADE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similarto the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an Xpattern centered in the white band
Equatorial Guineathree equal horizontal bands of green (top),white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoistside and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat ofarms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland andfive offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cottontree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ,JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)
Eritreared isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividingthe flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, thelower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch iscentered on the hoist side of the red triangle
Estoniapre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - threeequal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
Ethiopiathree equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, andred with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating fromthe angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on thethree bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa,and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by otherAfrican countries upon independence that they became known as thepan-African colors
Europa Islandthe flag of France is used
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 Islandswhite with a red cross outlined in blue extending tothe edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shiftedtoward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Fijilight blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-sidequadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of theflag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quarteredby the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palmtree, bananas, and a white dove
Finlandwhite with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag;the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in thestyle of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Francethree equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, andred; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and/orcolors are similar to a number of other flags, including those ofBelgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands;the official flag for all French dependent areas
French Guianathe flag of France is used
French Polynesiatwo narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide whiteband; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wavepattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on theupper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wavepattern; the French flag is used for official occasions
French Southern and Antarctic Landsthe flag of France is used
Gabonthree equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
Gambia, Thethree equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue withwhite edges, and green
Georgiamaroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist sidecorner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
Germanythree equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold
Ghanathree equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and greenwith a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band;uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flagof Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Gibraltartwo horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and redwith 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 Islandsthe flag of France is used
Greecenine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white;there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing awhite cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the establishedreligion of the country
Greenlandtwo equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with alarge disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half ofthe disk is red, the bottom half is white
Grenadaa rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (topand bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with ared border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointedstars with three centered in the top red border, three centered inthe bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at thecenter of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on thehoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producerof nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the sevenadministrative divisions
Guadeloupethe flag of France is used
Guamterritorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on allfour sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipsecontaining a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm treewith the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is thenational flag
Guatemalathree equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side),white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the whiteband; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (thenational bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DESEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain)all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossedswords and framed by a wreath
Guernseywhite with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint ofEngland) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armedcross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross
Guineathree equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, andgreen; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Guinea-Bissautwo equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and greenwith a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a blackfive-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popularpan-African colors of Ethiopia
Guyanagreen, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoistside) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow,black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white borderbetween the yellow and the green
Haititwo equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with acentered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains apalm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearingthe motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
Heard Island and McDonald Islandsthe 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 mitercentered in the white band
Hondurasthree equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and bluewith five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centeredin the white band; the stars represent the members of the formerFederal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador,Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of ElSalvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the wordsREPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the whiteband; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features atriangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top andAMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
Hong Kongred with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower inthe center
Howland Islandthe flag of the US is used
Hungarythree equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Icelandblue with a red cross outlined in white extending to theedges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to thehoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Indiathree 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 hasa small orange disk centered in the white band
Indonesiatwo equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similarto the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag ofPoland, which is white (top) and red
Iranthree equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red;the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah inthe shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered inthe white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script isrepeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11times along the top edge of the red band
Iraqthree equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blackwith three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered inthe white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in greenArabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar tothe left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during thePersian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria which has twostars but no script and the flag of Yemen, which has a plain whiteband; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eaglecentered in the white band
Irelandthree equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, andorange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter andhas the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green;also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colorsof green (hoist side), white, and red
Israelwhite with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known asthe Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equalhorizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag