The Complete Guide to Flags of the World

This guide to the flags of the world provides concise,

up-to-date coverage of every country in the world, The Complete Guide to
giving the history, meaning and symbolism of

Flags of the World

national flags, together with large-scale and
smaller locator maps.

The Complete Guide to Flags of the World includes:

• colour flags of over 220 countries and territories
• large-scale and detailed locator maps for easy reference
• up-to-date data and statistics for all countries
• information about the history and symbolism of each flag
• a section on de facto and emerging states

I S B N 978-1-77026-427-4

NEW
9 781770 264274 HOLLAND
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INTRODUCING FLAGS ..............................8

Flying the flag ............................................................10
The history of flags .....................................................14
International organizations ............................................22
World map ................................................................24

FLAGS OF THE WORLD.........................26

Europe......................................................................26
Western and Southern Asia .........................................60
Eastern and Southeast Asia .........................................76
Australia, New Zealand and Oceania ............................90
North America, Central America and the Caribbean ......108
South America .........................................................136
Africa and adjacent islands ........................................148
De facto states.........................................................180

Glossary..................................................................185
Index ......................................................................188
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SOUTH AMERICA

South America extends from the Caribbean Sea to the Strait trade in illegal drugs, such as cocaine, continues to earn a
of Magellan and Cape Horn. The total area amounts to 17.8 significant amount of foreign currency.
2
million km (6.8 million sq mi). The continent’s states are Geographically, South America is dominated by the Andes,
sometimes referred to as Latin America, from its Spanish and extending north to south for some 7,250km (4,500mi).
Portuguese language origins. A few northerly states, though, Mighty rivers, such as the Amazon and Orinoco, flow
inherited the French, English and Dutch languages. Many eastward through the extensive equatorial rainforests, which
South Americans are a blend of Spanish, Portuguese, are falling prey to slash-and-burn farming and over-
indigenous Indians and African slaves. exploitation. South of the forest zone are the wide,
Portuguese-speaking Brazil, with a population of nearly temperate plains of Argentina – cattle country supreme. To the
184 million, represents about half the people and the land of west, a coastal plain of largely arid desert stretches from Peru
South America. For several decades in the 19th century, to Chile.
Brazil was an empire. The great ancient civilization, the Incas, The Falkland Islands form part of the continent. Here, the
had its homeland in the Andes Mountains of Peru. prospect of offshore oilfields led to conflict in 1982 between
Many South American countries are well endowed with rival claimants Argentina and Great Britain. Britain retains
minerals, oil and natural gas. Agricultural products include possession of the islands, called the Malvinas by Argentina,
coffee, cocoa, meat, fruit, wool and cotton. In the north, the and of unpromising territory further south towards Antarctica.

AT A GLANCE

Biggest country: Brazil (22,834 ft) – the highest peak in the western hemisphere
Smallest country: Suriname Lowest point: Valdés Peninsula, Argentina – 40 m
Biggest city: São Paolo, Brazil (131 ft) below sea level
Major cities: Belo Horizonte, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Longest river: Amazon 6,448 km (4,007 mi)
Caracas, Lima, Pôrto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago Largest lake: Titicaca, Bolivia/Peru 8340 km2
Highest point: Aconcagua, Argentina – 6,960 m (3,220 sq mi).

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SOUTH AMERICA

South America
Panama Canal
Caracas Caribbean
Sea
Venezuela
Georgetown Paramaribo
Bogotá Guyana
Cayenne
Suriname
Colombia French
Guiana
Equator
Quito
Ecuador

Brazil
Peru

Lima

Brasília
La Paz
Bolivia

Paraguay Tropic of Capricorn

Asunción

Pacific
Ocean Argentina
Atlantic
Uruguay
Santiago
Buenos Aires
Ocean
Montevideo
Chile

Stanley
Falkland Islands
Grytviken
South Georgia

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SOUTH AMERICA

Freedom from colonization

Much of South America was colonized by Spain and Different emblems of freedom are depicted on many
Portugal in the early 16th century, but by 1800 there South American flags. The flags of Argentina and
was strong agitation for independence. Among the Uruguay feature a prominent golden radiant sun with the
earliest revolutionary leaders was Francisco de Miranda, orb depicting a human face. On the Argentinian flag the
a Venezuelan who, in 1806, raised a flag that consisted sun commemorates the first mass demonstration in
of equal horizontal bands of yellow above blue above favour of independence (25 May 1810), when a bright
red. Blue represents the Atlantic Ocean, separating the sun broke through cloudy skies. This national symbol of
New World (yellow) from Spanish tyranny (red). Argentina represents liberty or freedom. A sun also
Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia all adopted appears on the flags of Bolivia and Ecuador.
versions of de Miranda’s flag. Venezuela’s flag has the A cap of liberty is depicted on the flag of Paraguay
same colours and divisions, plus an arc of seven small and the flag or coat of arms of several other South
stars in the blue band. American countries. In heraldry, it is always red.

FLAGS BASED ON DE MIRANDA’S FLAG

Venezuela Ecuador Colombia

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SOUTH AMERICA

ECUADOR
Republic of Ecuador Flag proportions: 1:2 Religion: Roman Catholic
Adopted: 7 November 1900 Currency: US dollar
Capital: Quito Exports: Crude petroleum and
Area: 269,178 km2 petroleum products, food and
(103,930 sq mi) food products (particularly
Population: 15,223,680 bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa
Language: Spanish, Quechua and fish), cut flowers.

An Inca kingdom before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century,

Ecuador joined Gran Colombia in 1822, seceding from the federation in
1830 to form a republic. The flag is similar to Colombia and Venezuela’s
flags, but with the national arms at the centre. These incorporate a ship at
Colombia the mouth of the Guayas River, representing trade and commerce; a sun
of liberty; an axe and bundles of rods as symbols of republicanism; four
ECUADOR
Galapagos
Islands
signs of the Zodiac, recalling the 1845 revolution; and the snow-capped
Mt Chimborazo, surmounted by an Andean condor, signifying courage
Pacific Ocean Peru and freedom.

COLOMBIA
The Republic of Colombia Flag proportions: 2:3 Religion: Roman Catholic
Adopted: 26 November 1861 Currency: Colombian peso
Capital: Bogotá Exports: Petroleum products,
Area: 1,141,568 km2 coffee, coal, textiles and clothing,
(440,762 sq mi) bananas, cut flowers, forestry
Population: 46,366,364 products.
Language: Spanish

A Spanish possession from the 16th century, Colombia was liberated in

1819 by Simón Bolívar, a South American revolutionary leader. In 1822,
Caribbean Sea
Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela formed the republic of Gran Colombia.
Colombia became a separate republic in 1830. The flag is a horizontal
Venezuela
tricolour of yellow over blue over red. The blue and red bands each
Guyana
Pacific occupy one fourth of the flag’s depth. Yellow stands for sovereignty and
COLOMBIA
Ocean
justice; blue for nobility, loyalty and vigilance; and red for courage, honour,
Ecuador Brazil and victory achieved by sacrifice. Yellow also represents universal liberty,
Peru
blue the equality of all races, and red fraternity.

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SOUTH AMERICA

VENEZUELA
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Flag proportions: 2:3 Religion: Roman Catholic
Adopted: 20 April 1936 Currency: Bolívar fuerte
Capital: Caracas Exports: Petroleum and
Area:912,050 km2(352,144 sq mi) petroleum products, basic metals,
Population: 27,150,000 steel, chemicals, agricultural
Language: Spanish products (particularly meat).

Columbus explored the area in 1498, and it was settled by Spain in

1520. The original flag, an equal tricolour of yellow over blue over red,
was created by Francisco de Miranda, who freed the country from the
Spanish province of New Granada in 1806. Following a rebellion against
Spanish rule in 1811, Venezuela was part of the republic of Gran
Caribbean Colombia from 1819, until independence in 1830. The present flag has
Sea
seven white stars at its centre. Each star represents a Venezuelan
VENEZUELA
province that supported the fight against Spain. Blue represents liberty,
Guyana
Colombia red represents courage, and yellow is for the original federation of states.
Brazil

GUYANA
Co-operative Republic of Guyana Flag proportions: 3:5 Language: English, English Creole
Adopted: 20 May 1966 Religion: Hindu, Roman Catholic,
Capital: Georgetown Sunni Islam
Area: 215,083 km2 Currency: Guyanese dollar
(83,044 sq mi) Exports: Sugar, gold, bauxite, rice,
Population: 752,940 shrimps, molasses, timber.

Guyana was ceded from Holland to Britain in 1814, becoming a British

colony until independence in 1966, then a republic within the Common-
wealth from 1970. The flag, known as the ‘Golden Arrow’, has five
symbolic colours. Green is for agriculture and forestry, white for the
Venezuela Caribbean Sea perennial rivers, black for the people’s endurance, red for the zeal and
GUYANA vigour of a young country, while the golden arrow itself represents mineral
French
Suriname Guiana wealth. The designer of the flag, Whitney Smith, chose green because
more than 90 per cent of the country is covered with fields or forests,
Brazil once the domain of the Arawak, Carib and Warrau Indians.

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SOUTH AMERICA

SURINAME
The Republic of Suriname Flag proportions: 2:3 (Surinamese Creole), Hindi,
Adopted: 25 November 1975 Javanese
Capital: Paramaribo Religion: Hindu, Roman Catholic,
Area: 163,270 km2 Sunni Islam
(63,039 sq mi) Currency: Surinamese dollar
Population: 560,157 Exports: Alumina/bauxite, oil, tim-
Language: Dutch, Sranantonga ber, shrimps and fish, rice, bananas.

After the colony of Dutch Guiana gained independence as Suriname in

1975, it faced a series of coups before order was restored and
democratic elections held in 1991. Red and green were the colours of
Suriname’s main political parties at the time of independence, while the
Venezuela Caribbean Sea yellow star depicts unity and a golden future. Although Suriname is home
Guyana to people of several ethnic groups, notably those of Indonesian, Indian
French
SURINAME Guiana and African descent, a single star was chosen to represent unity and
hope. The colours have been interpreted as representing fertility (green),
Brazil justice and freedom (white) and progress and spiritual renewal (red).

FRENCH GUIANA
The département of Guyane Flag proportions: 2:3 Creole, Portuguese
Adopted: n/a Religion: Roman Catholic
Capital: Cayenne Currency: Euro
Area: 86,504 km2 (33,399 sq mi) Exports: Shrimps, timber and
Population: 236,250 wood products, gold, rum,
Language: French, French clothing.

Settled by France in 1604, Guiana became a French possession in 1817,

a département in 1946 and an administrative region in 1974. It was once
notorious for its offshore penal colonies, but the shipment of convicts
ceased after 1945. The European Space Agency launches communication
satellites from Kourou. Fishing and forestry are important industries.
Venezuela Caribbean Sea Much of the territory now in French Guiana was contested by France
Guyana and Brazil. In the late 19th century, a group of French businessmen
FRENCH sponsored the ‘republic’ of Independent Guyana. The venture failed,
Suriname GUIANA
although their flag briefly flew over the settlement at Counani.
Brazil

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SOUTH AMERICA

PERU
Republic of Peru Flag proportions: 2:3 Religion: Roman Catholic, various
Adopted: 25 February 1825 Evangelical Protestant churches
Capital: Lima Currency: New Sol
Area: 1,285,216 km2 Exports: Fish and fish products,
(496,225 sq mi) gold, copper, zinc, petroleum,
Population: 29,496,000 lead, coffee.
Languages: Spanish, Quechua

Peru’s Inca Empire was vanquished by the Spanish conquistador Pizarro

who, in 1533, executed the last Inca emperor. Peru became Spain’s
headquarters in South America and was the last country to receive
Ecuador Colombia independence, in 1826, after liberation by General José de San Martín.
For his flag, he chose red and white to represent the Inca Empire and the
Brazil rising sun. San Martín saw white as standing for peace and progress, and
red as symbolizing courage and endeavour. On the arms are symbols of
Pacific PERU
Ocean
the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms. The palm and laurel wreaths
Bolivia around the shield are symbols of peace.

BRAZIL
Federative Republic of Brazil Flag proportions: 7:10 Pentecostal, Candomblé
Adopted: 12 May 1992 Currency: Real
Capital: Brasília Exports: Transport equipment,
Area: 8,547,404 km2 mineral ores (particularly iron ore),
(3,300,171 sq mi) iron and steel products, soybeans,
Population: 192,376,496 footwear and leather, machinery,
Language: Portuguese coffee, road vehicles, wood and
Religion: Roman Catholic, paper products, sugar.

A former Portuguese colony, Brazil became a kingdom in 1822 under

King (later Emperor) Pedro I, and a republic in 1889. The blue sphere
Colombia
depicts the sky as seen from Rio de Janeiro at independence on 15
November 1889. Each star represents a state. The latest, added in
BRAZIL
1992, makes 27 (with the Federal District). The constellations are
Peru
accurate, and the size of the stars does not reflect the importance of the
Pacific Bolivia
Ocean state. The motto, Ordem e Progresso, ‘Order and Progress’, is inscribed
Paraguay
Chile Atlantic on a white band representing the equator. Green symbolizes the Amazon
Argentina Ocean
rainforest, and yellow, the rich mineral resources.

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SOUTH AMERICA

BOLIVIA
Republic of Bolivia Flag proportions: 2:3 Language: Spanish, Quechua,
Adopted: 14 July 1880 Aymara
Capitals: La Paz (administrative Religion: Roman Catholic, various
and legislative capital), Sucre Evangelical Protestant churches
(legal and constitutional capital) Currency: Boliviano
Area: 1,098,581 km2 Exports: Natural gas, soybeans,
(424,165 sq mi) petroleum, zinc, gold, tin, timber.
Population: 10,907,778

Bolivia was part of the Inca Empire until it was conquered by Spain in
1538, becoming part of Peru. It stayed under Spanish rule until liberation
by Simón Bolívar in 1825. By 1851, earlier versions of the flag had given
way to the red-yellow-green horizontal tricolour. Red is for courage,
Peru Brazil
yellow for mineral resources and green for fertility. At the centre the coat
BOLIVIA of arms comprises an oval enclosing symbols of the country’s wealth,
surrounded by weapons and banners in the national colours, surmounted
Pacific
Ocean by a condor. Bolivia has two capitals, Sucre and La Paz.
Chile Paraguay

PARAGUAY
The Republic of Paraguay Flag proportions: 3:5 Religion: Roman Catholic
Adopted: 27 November 1842 Currency: Guaraní
Capital: Asunción Exports: Soya flour and
Area: 406,752 km2 soyabeans, cattle feed, cotton,
(157,048 sq mi) meat, electricity, oilseed and table
Population: 6,454,548 oil, timber.
Language: Spanish, Guaraní

The flag of Paraguay, a former Spanish colony, has an obverse different

to its reverse. Both sides have horizontal bands of red over white over
blue. The colours represent patriotism and justice (red), unity and peace
(white) and liberty (blue). On both sides, a central white disc is enclosed
Bolivia
within blue and red circles. The obverse disc contains the state arms: a
Brazil
‘Star of May’, recalling 1811, the date of independence, within a wreath
PARAGUAY
Chile of palm and laurel branches tied with red, white and blue ribbon,
surrounded by the words Republica del Paraguay. The reverse bears the
Argentina
seal of the national treasury, a lion guarding a cap of liberty, and the motto
‘Peace and justice’.

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SOUTH AMERICA

URUGUAY
The Oriental Republic of Uruguay Flag proportions: 2:3 Religion: Roman Catholic,
Adopted: 11 July 1830 non-religious
Capital: Montevideo Currency: Uruguayan peso
Area: 176,215 km2 Exports: Meat, leather and
(68,037 sq mi) leather products, wool, fish, dairy
Population: 3,318,535 products.
Language: Spanish

The golden sun and stripes are adapted from the flags of Argentina and
the USA respectively. The sun, a symbol of freedom, occupies the chief
canton, while the field’s equal horizontal stripes depict Uruguay’s
Paraguay
provinces. A Spanish colony until 1814, the territory was subsequently
disputed by Argentina and Brazil, and annexed to both individually before
Brazil
gaining independence in 1830.
Argentina Uruguayan naval ships fly a flag of equal horizontal bands of blue-
URUGUAY
Atlantic white-blue, with a diagonal red band rising from the hoist to the fly.
Ocean

CHILE
Republic of Chile Flag proportions: 2:3 Religion: Roman Catholic, various
Adopted: 18 October 1817 Evangelical Protestant churches
Capital: Santiago (administrative Currency: Chilean peso
and official capital), Valparaiso Exports: Minerals (particularly
(legislative capital) copper, iron ore, zinc, silver), fish
Area: 756,626 km2 (292,135 sq mi) and fish products, fruit and
Population: 17,402,630 vegetables, paper and paper
Language: Spanish products, chemicals, wine.

The first European to reach Chile was the Spanish explorer Ferdinand
Magellan who, in 1520, sailed though the strait that now bears his name.
Bolivia Brazil
Santiago, the capital, was established in 1541, and Chile remained under
Paraguay Spanish rule until independence in 1818. The ‘lone star’ Chilean flag was
Uruguay designed by Charles Wood, an American who fought alongside General
CHILE Argentina
José de San Martín to liberate Chile from Spain. Blue is for clear skies,
Pacific Atlantic
Ocean white for the snow of the Andes, and red for the blood shed in the
Ocean
struggle for freedom. The white star is to guide the country towards
progress and honour.

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SOUTH AMERICA

ARGENTINA
The Argentine Republic Flag proportions: 2:3 Language: Spanish
Adopted: 12 February 1812 Religion: Roman Catholic
Capital: Buenos Aires Currency: Argentine peso
Area: 2,766,890 km2 Exports: Edible oils, petroleum
(1,068,302 sq mi), excluding and petroleum products, cereals,
territories claimed by Argentina animal feed, motor vehicles,
Population: 41,281,631 meat, wool.

In 1810, Manuel Belgrano led mass demonstrations in support of liberation

from Spain. He used a blue and white cockade to commemorate the 25
May uprising, when the clouds over Buenos Aires cleared to reveal the sun
in a blue sky. The cockade became official in 1812 and the colours were
Brazil
adopted as a flag. Independence was achieved in 1816. In 1818, a golden
Uruguay
Chile radiant sun was added to recall the 1810 uprising. The sun is depicted with
ARGENTINA
Atlantic a face. It also features on the arms, along with the red cap of liberty.
Pacific
Ocean
Ocean Argentina has disputed claims to the Falkland Islands and parts
of Antarctica.

FALKLAND ISLANDS
The Falkland Islands Flag proportions: 1:2 Language: English
Adopted: 1948, revised 1999 Religion: Anglican
Capital: Stanley Currency: Falkland Islands pound
Area: 12,170 km2 (4,698 sq mi) Exports: Wool, hides, meat, fish.
Population: 3,140

The Falkland Islands’ version of the Blue Ensign was granted in 1948.
On the blue upper part of the arms, which are set on a shield, is a ram,
underscoring the role wool plays in the island’s economy. The wavy
bands of blue and white on the base suggest the sea, on which is the
Desire, the flagship of John Davis, who discovered the islands in 1592.
Stars on the ship’s sail represent the Southern Cross.
East and West Falkland, along with about 200 adjacent islets, are an
Argentina overseas territory of the UK. After the 1982 Britain–Argentinian war over
Chile
FALKLAND ISLANDS sovereignty, new port and airport facilities were opened in the
capital, Stanley.
Atlantic
Ocean

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SOUTH AMERICA

SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS

South Georgia and the South Flag proportions: 1:2 Religion: n/a
Sandwich Islands Adopted: 2003 Currency: Pound sterling
Main port: Grytviken Export: n/a
Area: 3,903 km2 (1,507 sq mi)
Population: There is no permanent
settlement
Language: English

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, some 1000km (600mi)
southeast of the Falklands, are part of Antarctica, not South America. They
were visited by Captain Cook in 1775 and annexed by Britain in 1908.
The British Antarctic Survey has a base in Grytviken and a station on
nearby Bird Island, but the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited. The
islands are administered from the Falklands, and a badge was granted to
Argentina Atlantic
Ocean commemorate liberation after the 1982 war against Argentina. The blue
Falkland Islands
and silver diamond pattern on the shield is described in heraldry as
Chile SOUTH GEORGIA ‘lozengy azure and argent’, while the green wedge is known as a ‘pile’. A
AND THE SOUTH
SANDWICH ISLANDS lion rampant holds a flaming torch, symbolizing exploration. The
supporters are a penguin and a seal.

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EUROPE

Europe

Greenland Svalbard
Longyearbyen

Arctic Circle

Iceland Norwegian Sea

nia
oth
Reykjavík

fB
lf o
Gu
Finland
Sweden
Tórshavn
The Faeroes
Norway
Helsinki
Mariehamn
land
Oslo
North Atlantic Ocean Aland
of FinTallinn
Gulf
Stockholm
Esto

Latv
Riga

North Sea Denmark Baltic Sea Lithuania

Copenhagen Russian Viln
Federation
Isle of Man
Ireland Douglas
Dublin The
United Netherlands Berlin
Kingdom Amsterdam Warsaw

London Poland
Belgium Germany
Celtic Sea Prague
nnel Brussels
Eng lish Cha Luxembourg Luxembourg
Czech
Guernsey St Helier Republic
St Peter Port Jersey Slovakia
Paris Vienna Bratislava
Liechtenstein Austria Budapest
Berne Vaduz Hungary
France Switzerland Ljubljana
Slovenia Rom
Croatia
Bay of Biscay Italy Zagreb
Belgrade
Bosnia and Buchar
San Marino
Monaco-Ville Herzegovina Serbia
Monaco Sarajevo Bu
Andorra la Vella
Montenegro Kosovo Pristina Sofia
Andorra Podgorica
Rome Vatican City Tirana
Skopj
Spain Mace-
donia
Adriatic Albania
Madrid
Portugal Sea Greece
Atlantic Ocean Lisbon
Ionian Ath
Mediterranean Sea Sea
Gibraltar Valletta Malta Aeg
Strait of Gibraltar

28
 The Complete Guide to Flags of the World
This guide to the flags of the world provides concise,
up-to-date coverage of every country in the world, The Complete Guide to
giving the history, meaning and symbolism of

Flags of the World

national flags, together with large-scale and
smaller locator maps.

The Complete Guide to Flags of the World includes:

• colour flags of over 220 countries and territories
• large-scale and detailed locator maps for easy reference
• up-to-date data and statistics for all countries
• information about the history and symbolism of each flag
• a section on de facto and emerging states

I S B N 978-1-77026-427-4

NEW
9 781770 264274 HOLLAND