Eritrea$311 million (2000 est.)
Estonia$26.84 billion (31 December 2008)$25.25 billion (31 December 2007)
Ethiopia$3.155 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$2.621 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)$NA
Faroe Islands$64 million (1999)
Fiji$127 million (2004 est.)
Finland$339.5 billion (31 December 2008)$314.1 billion (31 December 2007)
France$4.935 trillion (31 December 2008)$4.88 trillion (31 December 2007)
French Polynesia$NA
Gabon$2.986 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Gambia, The$628.8 million (2003 est.)
Gaza Strip$1.3 billion (2007 est.)
Georgia$7.711 billion (31 December 2008)$5.343 billion (31 December 2007)
Germany$5.158 trillion (31 December 2008)$5.155 trillion (31 December 2007)
Ghana$5.055 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$4.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Gibraltar$NA
Greece$504.6 billion (31 December 2008)$454.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Greenland$25 million (1999)
Grenada$347 million (2004)
Guam$NA
Guatemala$6.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$5.908 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Guernsey$NA
Guinea$3.222 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$3.351 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Guinea-Bissau$941.5 million (2000 est.)
Guyana$804.3 million (30 September 2008)$1.2 billion (2002)
Haiti$1.817 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$1.475 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Honduras$3.209 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$3.411 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Hong Kong$659.9 billion (31 December 2008)$711.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Hungary$212.1 billion (31 December 2008)$167.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Iceland$3.073 billion (2002)
India$229.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$206 billion (31 December 2007)
Indonesia$155.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$141.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Iran$21.06 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$20.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Iraq$67.74 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$100.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Ireland$2.356 trillion (31 December 2008)$2.263 trillion (31 December 2007)
Isle of Man$NA
Israel$86.08 billion (31 December 2008)$89.58 billion (31 December 2007)
Italy$2.328 trillion (31 December 2008)$2.5 trillion (31 December 2007)
Jamaica$10.65 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$9.657 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Japan$2.231 trillion (31 December 2008)$1.768 trillion (31 December 2007)
Jersey$NA
Jordan$6.794 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$8.133 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Kazakhstan$107.8 billion (31 December 2008)$96.91 billion (31 December 2007)
Kenya$7.855 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$6.713 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Kiribati$10 million (1999 est.)
Korea, North$12.5 billion (2001 est.)
Korea, South$381.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$383.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Kosovo$NA
Kuwait$36.89 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$33.62 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Kyrgyzstan$3.467 billion (31 December 2008)$3.162 billion (31 December 2007)
Laos$3.179 billion (2006)
Latvia$42.26 billion (31 December 2008)$38.95 billion (31 December 2007)
Lebanon$33.28 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$31.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Lesotho$619 million (31 December 2008 est.)$689 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Liberia$3.2 billion (2005 est.)
Libya$6.223 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$4.837 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Liechtenstein$0 (2001)
Lithuania$32.47 billion (31 December 2008)$30.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Luxembourg$2.02 trillion (31 December 2008)$NA (31 December 2007)
Macau$0 (2006)
Macedonia$4.667 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$3.967 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Madagascar$2.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$4.6 billion (2002)
Malawi$1.005 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$894 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Malaysia$75.33 billion (31 December 2008)$62.33 billion (31 December 2007)
Maldives$477 million (2008 est.)$482 million (2006 est.)
Mali$2.8 billion (2002)
Malta$188.8 million (2005)
Marshall Islands$87 million (2008 est.)$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
Mauritania$NA
Mauritius$5.077 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$2.149 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Mayotte$NA
Mexico$200.4 billion (31 December 2008)$193.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Micronesia, Federated States of$60.8 million (FY05 est.)
Moldova$4.125 billion (31 December 2008)$3.326 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Monaco$18 billion (2000 est.)
Mongolia $1.6 billion (2008) $1.438 billion (2007)
Montenegro$650 million (2006)
Montserrat$8.9 million (1997)
Morocco$20.12 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$19.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Mozambique$3.826 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$4.189 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Namibia$807.3 million (31 December 2008 est.)$1.003 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Nauru$33.3 million
Nepal$3.285 billion (2008)$3.07 billion (March 2006)
Netherlands$2.461 trillion (31 December 2008)$2.59 trillion (31 December 2007)
Netherlands Antilles$2.68 billion (2004)
New Caledonia$79 million (1998 est.)
New Zealand$59.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$51.44 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Nicaragua$4.596 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$3.341 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Niger$2.1 billion (2003 est.)
Nigeria$9.996 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$8.007 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Niue$418,000 (2002 est.)
Norfolk Island$NA
Northern Mariana Islands$NA
Norway$475.9 billion (31 December 2008)$540.3 billion (31 December 2007)note: Norway is a net external creditor
Oman$7.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$5.297 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Pakistan$46.39 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$38.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Palau$0 (FY99/00)
Panama$11.26 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$10.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Papua New Guinea$2.511 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$1.646 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Paraguay$3.507 billion (31 December 2008)$3.096 billion (31 December 2007)
Peru$34.59 billion (31 December 2008)$32.57 billion (31 December 2007)
Philippines$66.27 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$61.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Poland$243.5 billion (31 December 2008)$233.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Portugal$484.7 billion (31 December 2008)$483.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Puerto Rico$NA
Qatar$57.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Romania$102.2 billion (31 December 2008)$NA (31 December 2007 est.)
Russia$483.5 billion (31 December 2008)$471 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$82.13 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$58.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Senegal$2.627 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$2.19 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Serbia$26.24 billion (2007 est.)
Seychelles$1.422 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$1.059 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Sierra Leone$1.61 billion (2003 est.)
Singapore$25.52 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$25.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Slovakia$52.53 billion (31 December 2008)$44.31 billion (31 December 2007)
Slovenia$54.61 billion (31 December 2008)$50.58 billion (31 December 2007)
Solomon Islands$166 million (2004)
Somalia$3 billion (2001 est.)
South Africa$71.81 billion (31 December 2008)$75.28 billion (31 December 2007)
Spain$2.317 trillion (31 December 2008)$2.299 trillion (31 December 2007)
Sri Lanka$16.78 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$12.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Sudan$33.72 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$29.42 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Suriname$504.3 million (2005 est.)
Swaziland$554 million (31 December 2008 est.)$524 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Sweden$617.3 billion (31 December 2008)$598.2 billion (30 June 2006)
Switzerland$1.305 trillion (31 December 2008)$1.565 trillion (31 December 2007)
Syria$7.167 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$6.633 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Taiwan$93.02 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$97.85 billion (31 December 2007)
Tajikistan$1.503 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$1.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Tanzania$6.195 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$4.382 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Thailand$65.09 billion (31 December 2008)$61.74 billion (31 December 2007)
Togo$2 billion (2005)
Tonga$80.7 million (2004)
Trinidad and Tobago$3.289 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$2.869 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Tunisia$20.81 billion (31 December 2008)$20.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Turkey$278.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$249.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Turkmenistan$1.4 billion (2004 est.)note: some estimates put this figure as high as $5 billion
Turks and Caicos Islands$NA
Tuvalu$NA
Uganda$1.835 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$1.498 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Ukraine$101.7 billion (31 December 2008)$79.96 billion (31 December 2007)
United Arab Emirates$134.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$61.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
United Kingdom$9.041 trillion (31 December 2008)$11.26 trillion (31 December 2007)
United States$13.75 trillion (31 December 2008)$13.43 trillion (31 December 2007)
Uruguay$10.73 billion (31 December 2008)$11.07 billion (31 December 2007)
Uzbekistan$4.022 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$3.927 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Vanuatu$81.2 million (2004)
Venezuela$47.03 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$43.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Vietnam$25.89 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$21.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Virgin Islands$NA
Wallis and Futuna$3.67 million (2004)
West Bank$1.3 billion (2007 est.)
Western Sahara$NA
World$60.96 trillion (31 December 2008 est.)$60.26 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)note: this figure is the sum total of all countries' external debt,both public and private
Yemen$5.977 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$6.044 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Zambia$3.095 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$2.596 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Zimbabwe$5.669 billion (31 December 2008 est.)$5.155 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
======================================================================
@2080
Field Listing :: Fiscal year
Country
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
======================================================================
@2081
Field Listing :: Flag description
This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. Country
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; the designis claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George CastriotaSKANDERBERG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks thatresulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions(1443-1478)
Algeriatwo equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; ared, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over thetwo-color boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity andpeace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are alsoIslamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of otherMuslim countries because the Algerians believe the long crescenthorns bring happiness
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 shield; the flag combines the blueand red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to showFranco-Spanish protectionnote: 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 andsickle); red represents liberty, black the African continent, thesymbols characterize workers and peasants
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; the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era,black represents the African heritage of most of the population,blue is for hope, and red is for the dynamism of the people; the "V"stands for victory; the successive yellow, blue, and white coloringis also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun,sea, and sand
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; the colors represent theclear skies and snow of the Andes; the sun symbol commemorates theappearance of the sun through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810 during thefirst mass demonstration in favor of independence; the sun featuresare those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun
Armeniathree equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange;the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenianskies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of theworkers who farm it
Arubablue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across thelower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in theupper hoist-side corner; the star represents Aruba and its red soiland white beaches, its four points the four major languages(Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points ofa compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over theworld; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripesrepresent the island's two main "industries": the flow of touriststo the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth
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;the flag design is certainly one of the oldest - if not the oldest -national banners in the world; according to tradition, following afierce battle in the Third Crusade, Duke Leopold V of Austria'swhite tunic became completely blood-spattered; upon removal of hiswide belt or sash, a white band was revealed; the red-white-redcolor combination was subsequently adopted as his banner
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; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islandssurrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor andforce of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates theenterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop therich resources of land and sea
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; theband colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold ofthe beaches; the trident head represents independence and a breakwith the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a completetrident)
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; the red band colorrecalls past struggles from oppression, the green band representshope and the many forests of the country
Belgiumthree equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow,and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; thecolors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lionwith red claws and tongue on a black field)
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; in 2009, apresidential decree made it mandatory for a so-called wiphala - asquare, multi-colored flag representing the country's indigenouspeoples - to be used alongside the traditional flag
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 Islandsa blue field, with the flag of the UK in the upperhoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on theouter half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with apineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle,representing Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing agolden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three greenstars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and bluewavy lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearingthe motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
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, the lower triangle is bluewith 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, N'gazidja, 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 blue,superimposed 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) and is oneof the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to theorigin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend thatthe banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle;caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, thisheavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victorynote: 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);the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and usesthe same three colors - but in a different sequence
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); the blue represents thethousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white isfor the snow that covers the land in winter
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 patternnote: the flag of France is used for official occasions