Chapter 147

Algeria$3.957 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

American Samoa$NA

Andorra$NA

Angola$8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Anguilla$8.8 million (1998)

Antigua and Barbuda$359.8 million (June 2006)

Argentina$135.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Armenia$1.372 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Aruba$478.6 million (2005 est.)

Australia$826.4 billion (31 December 2007)

Austria$752.5 billion (30 June 2007)

Azerbaijan$2.439 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Bahamas, The$342.6 million (2004 est.)

Bahrain$7.858 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Bangladesh$21.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Barbados$668 million (2003)

Belarus$7.347 billion (31 December 2007)

Belgium$1.313 trillion (30 June 2007)

Belize$1.2 billion (June 2005 est.)

Benin$1.2 billion (2007)

Bermuda$160 million (FY99/00)

Bhutan$713.3 million (2006)

Bolivia$4.495 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina$6.734 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Botswana$408 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Brazil$229.4 billion (31 December 2007)

British Virgin Islands$36.1 million (1997)

Brunei$0 (2005)

Bulgaria$34.88 billion (30 June 2007)

Burkina Faso$1.33 billion (2007)

Burma$7.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Burundi$1.2 billion (2003)

Cambodia$3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Cameroon$2.554 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Canada$758.6 billion (30 June 2007)

Cape Verde$325 million (2002)

Cayman Islands$70 million (1996)

Central African Republic$1.153 billion (2007 est.)

Chad$1.6 billion (2005 est.)

Chile$57.6 billion (31 December 2007)

China$363 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Colombia$41.39 billion (30 June 2007)

Comoros$232 million (2000 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the$10 billion (2006 est.)

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

Cook Islands$141 million (1996 est.)

Costa Rica$7.416 billion (30 June 2007)

Cote d'Ivoire$13.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Croatia$46.3 billion (30 June 2007)

Cuba$16.79 billion (convertible currency); another $15-20 billionowed to Russia (31 December 2007 est.)

Cyprus$26.97 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Czech Republic$74.7 billion (31 December 2007)

Denmark$492.6 billion (30 June 2007)

Djibouti$428 million (2006)

Dominica$213 million (2004)

Dominican Republic$10.21 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Ecuador$17.12 billion (31 December 2007)

Egypt$29.2 billion (30 June 2007)

El Salvador$9.574 billion (December 2007)

Equatorial Guinea$338 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Eritrea$311 million (2000 est.)

Estonia$24.82 billion (30 June 2007)

Ethiopia$2.621 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)$NA

Faroe Islands$64 million (1999)

Fiji$127 million (2004 est.)

Finland$271.2 billion (30 June 2007)

France$4.396 trillion (30 June 2007)

French Polynesia$NA

Gabon$4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Gambia, The$628.8 million (2003 est.)

Gaza Strip$NA

Georgia$4.5 billion (2007)

Germany$4.489 trillion (30 June 2007)

Ghana$4.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Gibraltar$NA

Greece$86.72 billion (31 December 2007)

Greenland$25 million (1999)

Grenada$347 million (2004)

Guam$NA

Guatemala$5.908 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Guernsey$NA

Guinea$3.351 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Guinea-Bissau$941.5 million (2000 est.)

Guyana$1.2 billion (2002)

Haiti$1.475 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Honduras$3.411 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Hong Kong$588 billion (2007 est.)

Hungary$125.9 billion (31 December 2007)

Iceland$3.073 billion (2002)

India$149.2 billion (31 December 2007)

Indonesia$140 billion (31 December 2007)

Iran$20.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Iraq$100.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Ireland$1.841 trillion (30 June 2007)

Isle of Man$NA

Israel$89.95 billion (31 December 2007)

Italy$996.3 billion (31 December 2007)

Jamaica$9.657 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Japan$1.492 trillion (30 June 2007)

Jersey$NA

Jordan$8.133 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Kazakhstan$96.36 billion (31 December 2007)

Kenya$6.713 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Kiribati$10 million (1999 est.)

Korea, North$12.5 billion (2001 est.)

Korea, South$220.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Kosovoaccording to the national bank of Serbia, Kosovo's externaldebt was around $1.2 billion; Kosovo was willing to accept around$900 million (2007)

Kuwait$33.62 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Kyrgyzstan$2.966 billion (30 June 2007)

Laos$3.179 billion (2006)

Latvia$33.53 billion (31 December 2007)

Lebanon$31.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Lesotho$689 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Liberia$3.2 billion (2005 est.)

Libya$4.837 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Liechtenstein$0 (2001)

Lithuania$27.19 billion (31 December 2007)

Luxembourg$NA

Macau$0 (2006)

Macedonia$3.967 billion (31 December 2007)

Madagascar$4.6 billion (2002)

Malawi$894 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Malaysia$53.09 billion (31 December 2007)

Maldives$482 million (2006 est.)

Mali$2.8 billion (2002)

Malta$188.8 million (2005)

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

MauritaniaNA

Mauritius$2.149 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Mayotte$NA

Mexico$179.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Micronesia, Federated States of$60.8 million (FY05 est.)

Moldova$3.3 billion (31 December 2007)

Monaco$18 billion (2000 est.)

Mongolia$1.438 billion (2007)

Montenegro$650 million (2006)

Montserrat$8.9 million (1997)

Morocco$19.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Mozambique$4.189 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Namibia$1.003 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Nauru$33.3 million (2002)

Nepal$3.07 billion (March 2006)

Netherlands$2.277 trillion (30 June 2007)

Netherlands Antilles$2.68 billion (2004)

New Caledonia$79 million (1998 est.)

New Zealand$51.44 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Nicaragua$3.341 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Niger$2.1 billion (2003 est.)

Nigeria$8.007 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Niue$418,000 (2002 est.)

Norfolk Island$NA

Northern Mariana Islands$NA

Norway$469.1 billion; note - Norway is a net external creditor (30June 2007)

Oman$5.297 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Pakistan$38.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Palau$0 (FY99/00)

Panama$10.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Papua New Guinea$1.646 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Paraguay$3.492 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Peru$32.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Philippines$61.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Poland$169.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Portugal$461.2 billion (31 December 2007)

Puerto Rico$NA

Qatar$33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Romania$74.54 billion (31 December 2007)

Russia$356.5 billion (31 December 2007)

Rwanda$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Saint Helena$NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis$314 million (2004)

Saint Lucia$257 million (2004)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon$NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines$223 million (2004)

Samoa$177 million (2004)

San Marino$NA

Sao Tome and Principe$318 million (2002)

Saudi Arabia$58.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Senegal$2.19 billion (31 December 2007)

Serbia$26.24 billion (includes debt for Montenegro and Kosovo)(2007 est.)

Seychelles$1.059 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Sierra Leone$1.61 billion (2003 est.)

Singapore$25.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Slovakia$36.63 billion (31 December 2007)

Slovenia$40.42 billion (30 June 2007)

Solomon Islands$166 million (2004)

Somalia$3 billion (2001 est.)

South Africa$39.78 billion (31 December 2007)

Spain$1.084 trillion (30 June 2007 est.)

Sri Lanka$12.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Sudan$29.42 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Suriname$504.3 million (2005 est.)

Swaziland$524 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Sweden$598.2 billion (30 June 2006)

Switzerland$1.34 trillion (30 June 2007)

Syria$6.633 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Taiwan$97.85 billion (31 December 2007)

Tajikistan$1.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Tanzania$4.382 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Thailand$59.52 billion (31 December 2007)

Togo$2 billion (2005)

Tonga$80.7 million (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago$2.869 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Tunisia$19.27 billion (December 2007)

Turkey$247.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Turkmenistan$1.4 billion to $5 billion (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands$NA

Tuvalu$NA

Uganda$1.498 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Ukraine$69.04 billion (31 December 2007)

United Arab Emirates$61.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

United Kingdom$10.45 trillion (30 June 2007)

United States$12.25 trillion (30 June 2007)

Uruguay$11.42 billion (31 December 2007)

Uzbekistan$3.927 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Vanuatu$81.2 million (2004)

Venezuela$43.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Vietnam$21.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Virgin Islands$NA

Wallis and Futuna$3.67 million (2004)

West Bank$NA

Western Sahara$NA

World$51.78 trillionnote: this figure is the sum total of all countries' external debt,both public and private (2004 est.)

Yemen$6.044 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Zambia$2.596 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Zimbabwe$5.155 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

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

@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

Brunei1 April - 31 March

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

Ecuadorcalendar year

Egypt1 July - 30 June

El Salvadorcalendar year

Equatorial Guineacalendar year

Eritreacalendar year

Estoniacalendar year

Ethiopia8 July - 7 July

European UnionNA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)1 April - 31 March

Faroe Islandscalendar year

Fijicalendar year

Finlandcalendar year

Francecalendar 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

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

Iran21 March - 20 March

Iraqcalendar year

Irelandcalendar year

Isle of Man1 April - 31 March

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

Macedoniacalendar year

Madagascarcalendar year

Malawi1 July - 30 June

Malaysiacalendar year

Maldivescalendar year

Malicalendar year

Maltacalendar year

Marshall Islands1 October - 30 September

Mauritaniacalendar year

Mauritius1 July - 30 June

Mayottecalendar year

Mexicocalendar year

Micronesia, Federated States of1 October - 30 September

Moldovacalendar year

Monacocalendar year

Mongoliacalendar year

Montenegrocalendar 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 Zealand 1 April - 31 March note: this is the fiscal year for tax purposes

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

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

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

Taiwancalendar year

Tajikistancalendar year

Tanzania1 July - 30 June

Thailand1 October - 30 September

Timor-Lestecalendar year

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 Kingdom6 April - 5 April

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

Western Saharacalendar year

Yemencalendar year

Zambiacalendar year

Zimbabwecalendar year

This page was last updated on 18 November 2008

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

@2081 Flag description

Afghanistanthree equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red,and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the redband and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of theemblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, belowthe mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in theGregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK);this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves ofwheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabicinscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays ofthe rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God isgreat"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the nameAfghanistan

Akrotirithe flag of the UK is used

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 boundarynote: the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols ofIslam (the state religion)

American Samoablue, with a white triangle edged in red that isbased on the fly 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 war club known as a"Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whiskknown as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbolsbroadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects therelationship between the United States and American Samoa

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 shieldnote: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have anational coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, whichdoes 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 or Federation Star, representingthe federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the stardepicts one point for each of the six original states and onerepresenting all of Australia's internal and external territories;on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Crossconstellation in white with one small five-pointed star and fourlarger, 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, 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

Bangladeshgreen field with a large red disk shifted slightly to thehoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and thesacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes thelush vegetation of Bangladesh

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)

Belarusred horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-halfthe width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist sidebears Belarusian national ornamentation in red

Belgiumthree equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow,and rednote: 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 (bottom)with a vertical 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 bandnote: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large blackfive-pointed star centered in the 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, and rednote: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the whitestripe, has been removed

Burkina Fasotwo equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green witha yellow five-pointed star in the centernote: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Burmared with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side cornerbearing 14, white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheelcontaining a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the sevenadministrative divisions and seven states

Burundidivided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top andbottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disksuperimposed 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 bandnote: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in itsdesign

Cameroonthree equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, andyellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red bandnote: 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 Verdefive unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue- equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by threebands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, anda bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; acircle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one ofthe islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of thelength of the flag from the hoist side

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; ayellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band

Chadthree equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and rednote: 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; a bluesquare the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end ofthe 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 represents theblood spilled to achieve independencenote: design was influenced by the US 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 Islandterritorial flag; divided diagonally from upperhoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow imageof the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle isblue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia,superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of theislandnote: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes

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 rednote: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears theEcuadorian 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 Mahore (Mayotte - territorialcollectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros)note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbolsof Islam

Congo, Democratic Republic of thesky blue field divided diagonallyfrom the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripebordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed starappears in the upper hoist corner

Congo, Republic of thedivided diagonally from the lower hoist sideby a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and thelower triangle is rednote: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

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 greennote: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has thecolors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; alsosimilar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white,and red; design was based on the flag of France

Croatiathree equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and bluesuperimposed by the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered)

Cubafive equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom)alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on thehoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center

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 Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a whitefield with narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distancefrom the top and bottom edges between which is centered a redcrescent and a red five-pointed star

Czech Republictwo equal horizontal bands of white (top) and redwith a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist sidenote: identical to the 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;the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag)note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by theother Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Dhekeliathe flag of the UK is used

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

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 black;the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist sidewith a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing thename of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design isbased on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria,which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has anArabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which hasa plain 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

European Unionblue field with 12 five-pointed gold stars arrangedin a circle in the center, representing the union of the peoples ofEurope; 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 was once 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 "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), theorigin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; thedesign 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 Frenchdependent areas

French Polynesiatwo narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide whiteband; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and whitewave pattern on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern onthe upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on thewave pattern; 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

Georgiawhite rectangle, in its central portion a red crossconnecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four cornersis a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appearsto date back to the 14th century

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

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


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