VENEZUELA

Republic of Venezuela República de Venezuela CAPITAL: Caracas FLAG: The national flag, adopted in 1930, is a tricolor of yellow, blue, and red horizontal stripes. An arc of seven white stars on the blue stripe represents the seven original states. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Gloria al bravo pueblo” (“Glory to the brave people”). MONETARY UNIT: The bolívar (B) is a paper currency of 100 céntimos. There are coins of 5, 25, and 50 céntimos and 1, 2, and 5 bolívars, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 bolívars. B1 = $0.000529 (or $1 = B1,890; as of February 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Declaration of Independence and Day of the Indian, 19 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Army Day and Anniversary of the Battle of Carabobo, 24 June; Independence Day, 5 July; Bolívar’s Birthday, 24 July; Civil Servants Day, 4 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; Christmas, 25 December; New Year’s Eve, 31 December. Movable holidays are Carnival (Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Numerous other bank holidays and local festivals are observed. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

URUGUAY

Oriental Republic of Uruguay República Oriental del Uruguay CAPITAL: Montevideo FLAG: The flag, approved in 1830, has four azure blue horizontal stripes on a white background; on a white canton is a golden sun, alternately straight and wavy. This “Sun of May” symbolizes Uruguay’s independence. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, which begins “Orientales, la patria o la tumba” (“Easterners [Uruguayans], our country or death”). MONETARY UNIT: The Uruguayan peso (UP), of 100 centésimos replaced the new peso in 1993 at the rate of UP1=1,000 new pesos. There are coins of 10, 20, and 50 centésimos and 1, 2, 5, and 10 new pesos, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Uruguayan pesos. UP1 = $0.0348 ($1 = UP28.70) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some traditional measures also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Landing of the 33, 19 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Battle of Las Piedras, 18 May; Birthday of Artigas, 19 June; Constitution Day, 18 July; Independence Day, 25 August; Columbus Day, 12 October; All Souls’ Day, 2 November; Blessing of the Waters, 8 December; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 9 AM = noon GMT.

UNITED STATES

United States of America CAPITAL: Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia) FLAG: The flag consists of 13 alternate stripes, 7 red and 6 white; these represent the 13 original colonies. Fifty five-pointed white stars, representing the present number of states in the Union, are placed in nine horizontal rows alternately of six and five against a blue field in the upper left corner of the flag. ANTHEM: The Star-Spangled Banner. MONETARY UNIT: The dollar ($) of 100 cents is a paper currency with a floating rate. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. Although issuance of higher notes ceased in 1969, a limited number of notes of 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 dollars remain in circulation. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The imperial system is in common use; however, the use of metrics in industry is increasing, and the metric system is taught in public schools throughout the United States. Common avoirdupois units in use are the avoirdupois pound of 16 ounces or 454 grams; the long ton of 2,240 pounds or 35,840 ounces; and the short ton, more commonly used, of 2,000 pounds or 32,000 ounces. (Unless otherwise indicated, all measures given in tons are in short tons.) Liquid measures: 1 gallon = 231 cubic inches = 4 quarts = 8 pints. Dry measures: 1 bushel = 4 pecks = 32 dry quarts = 64 dry pints. Linear measures: 1 foot = 12 inches; 1 statute mile = 1,760 yards = 5,280 feet. Metric equivalent: 1 meter = 39.37 inches. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; Presidents’ Day, 3rd Monday in February; Memorial or Decoration Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October; Election Day, 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November; Veterans or Armistice Day, 11 November; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas, 25 December. TIME: Eastern, 7 AM = noon GMT; Central, 6 AM = noon GMT; Mountain, 5 AM = noon GMT; Pacific (includes the Alaska panhandle), 4 AM = noon GMT; Yukon, 3 AM = noon GMT; Alaska and Hawaii, 2 AM = noon GMT; western Alaska, 1 AM = noon GMT.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago CAPITAL: Port-of-Spain FLAG: On a red field, a black diagonal stripe with a narrow white border on either side extends from top left to bottom right. ANTHEM: Begins, “Forged from the love of liberty, in the fires of hope and prayer.” MONETARY UNIT: The Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) is a paper currency of 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, and 1 dollar, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 100 dollars. TT$1 = US$0.1634 (US$1 = TT$6.12; in April 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is official, but some imperial weights and measures are still used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Emancipation Day, 1st Monday in August; Independence Day, 31 August; Republic Day, 24 September; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable holidays include Carnival, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Whitmonday, Corpus Christi, ‘Id al- Fitr, and Dewali. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

SURINAME

Republic of Suriname Republiek Suriname CAPITAL: Paramaribo FLAG: A yellow star is at the center of five stripes: a broad red band in the middle, two white bands, and a green stripe at the top and bottom. ANTHEM: The Surinaams Volkslied (National Anthem) begins “God zij met ons Suriname” (“God be with our Suriname”). MONETARY UNIT: The Suriname guilder (SF) is a paper currency of 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents, and notes of 5, 10, 25, 100, and 500 guilders. SF1 = $0.0003636 1 (or $1 = SF2,750) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Revolution Day, 25 February; Labor Day, 1 May; National Union Day, 1 July; Independence Day, 25 November; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Holi Phagwah, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and ‘Id al- Fitr. TIME: 8:30 AM = noon GMT.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

CAPITAL: Kingstown FLAG: Three vertical bands of blue, yellow, and green; centered on the yellow band are three green diamonds arranged in a v-pattern. ANTHEM: National Anthem, beginning “St. Vincent! Land so beautiful.” MONETARY UNIT: The East Caribbean dollar (EC$) of 100 cents is the national currency. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 25 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 5, 10, 20, and 100 East Caribbean dollars. EC$1 = US$0.3704 (or US$1 = EC$2.70) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The imperial measures are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; CARICOM Day, 5 July; Carnival, 6 July; Bank Holiday, 1st Monday in August; Independence Day, 27 October; Christmas Day, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Whitmonday. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

ST. LUCIA

CAPITAL: Castries FLAG: On a blue background is a yellow triangle surmounted by a black arrowhead whose outer edges are bordered in white. ANTHEM: Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia. MONETARY UNIT: The East Caribbean dollar (EC$) of 100 cents is the national currency. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 25 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 5, 10, 20, and 100 East Caribbean dollars. EC$1 = US$0.37037 (or US$1 = EC$2.70) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system has been introduced, but imperial measures are still commonly employed. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Carnival, 8–9 February; Independence Day, 22 February; Labor Day, 1 May; Queen’s Official Birthday, 5 June; Bank Holiday, 1st Monday in August; Thanksgiving Day, 1st Monday in October; St. Lucia Day, 13 December; Christmas Day, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Whitmonday, and Corpus Christi. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

ST. KITTS AND LEVIS

Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis CAPITAL: Basseterre FLAG: Two thin diagonal yellow bands flanking a wide black diagonal band separate a green triangle at the hoist from a red triangle at the fly. On the black band are two white five-pointed stars. ANTHEM: National Anthem, beginning “O land of beauty.” MONETARY UNIT: The East Caribbean dollar (EC$) of 100 cents is the national currency. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 25 cents and 1 East Caribbean dollar, and notes of 5, 10, 20, and 100 East Caribbean dollars. EC$1 = US$0.37037 (or US$1 = EC$2.70) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The imperial system is used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1st Monday in May; Bank Holiday, 1st Monday in August; Independence Day, 19 September; Prince of Wales’s Birthday, 14 November; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December; Carnival, 30 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Whitmonday. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

PERU

Republic of Peru República del Perú CAPITAL: Lima FLAG: The national flag consists of red, white, and red vertical stripes. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Somos libres, seámoslo siempre” (“We are free; let us remain so forever”). MONETARY UNIT: The nuevo sol (ML), a paper currency of 100 céntimos, replaced the inti on 1 July 1991 at a rate of I1,000,000 = ML1, but, in practice, both currencies are circulating. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 céntimos and 1 nuevo sol, and notes of 10, 20, 50, and 100 nuevos soles and 10,000, 50,000, 100,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, and 5,000,000 intis. ML1 = $0.2898 (or $1 = ML3.45) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Day of the Peasant, half-day, 24 June; Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, 29 June; Independence Days, 28–29 July; Santa Rosa de Lima (patroness of Peru), 30 August; Battle of Anzamos, 8 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable holidays include Holy Thursday and Good Friday. TIME: 7 AM = noon GMT.

PARAGUAY

Republic of Paraguay República del Paraguay CAPITAL: Asunción FLAG: The national flag, officially adopted in 1842, is a tricolor of red, white, and blue horizontal stripes. The national coat of arms appears in the center of the white stripe on the obverse, and the Treasury seal in the same position on the reverse. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Paraguayos, república o muerte” (“Paraguayans, republic or death”). MONETARY UNIT: The guaraní (G) is a paper currency of 100 céntimos. There are notes of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 guaraníes. G1 = $0.000146 (or $1 = G6,840) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; San Blas Day, 3 February; National Defense Day, 1 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Independence Days, 14–15 May; Peace Day, 12 June; Founding of Asunción, 15 August; Constitution Day, 25 August; Victory Day (Battle of Boquerón), 29 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Our Lady of Caacupé, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays are Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Corpus Christi. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

PANAMA

Republic of Panama República de Panamá CAPITAL: Panamá (Panama City) FLAG: The national flag is divided into quarters. The upper quarter next to the staff is white with a blue star; the upper outer quarter is red; the lower quarter next to the staff is blue; and the lower outer quarter is white with a red star. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Alcanzamos por fin la victoria” (“We reach victory at last”). MONETARY UNIT: The balboa (B) of 100 centésimos is the national unit of account. Panama issues no paper money, and US notes are legal tender. Panama mints coins of 0.05, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 1 and 5 balboas which are interchangeable with US coins. B1 = $1.00 (or $1 = B1.00). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is official, but British, US, and old Spanish units also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Martyrs’ Day, 9 January; Labor Day, 1 May; National Revolution Day, 11 October; National Anthem Day, 1 November; All Souls’ Day, 2 November; Independence from Colombia, 3 November; Flag Day, 4 November; Independence Day (Colón only), 5 November; First Call of Independence, 10 November; Independence from Spain, 28 November; Mother’s Day and Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays are Shrove Tuesday and Good Friday. TIME: 7 AM = noon GMT.

NICARAGUA

Republic of Nicaragua República de Nicaragua CAPITAL: Managua FLAG: The national flag consists of a white horizontal stripe between two stripes of cobalt blue, with the national coat of arms centered in the white band. ANTHEM: Salve a ti, Nicaragua (Hail to You, Nicaragua). MONETARY UNIT: The gold córdoba (C$) is a paper currency of 100 centavos. There are coins of 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos and 1 and 5 córdobas, and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, 5,000,000, and 10,000,000 córdobas. C$1 = US$0.0668 (or US$1 = C$14.96) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some local units also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Liberation Day (Revolution of 1979), 19 July; Battle of San Jacinto, 14 September; Independence Day, 15 September; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday and Good Friday. TIME: 6 AM = noon GMT

MEXICO

United Mexican States Estados Unidos Mexicanos CAPITAL: Mexico City (México) FLAG: The national flag is a tricolor of green, white, and red vertical stripes; at the center of the white stripe, in brown and green, is an eagle with a snake in its beak, perched on a cactus. ANTHEM: Mexicanos, al grito de guerra (Mexicans, to the Cry of War). MONETARY UNIT: The peso (P) is a paper currency of 100 centavos. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 pesos and notes of 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 pesos. As of 1 January 1993, a new unit of currency (the new peso) was issued, worth 1,000 of the pesos that were used until 31 December 1992. P1 = $0.0961 (or $1 = P10.4) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some old Spanish units are still in use. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Constitution Day, 5 February; Birthday of Benito Juárez, 21 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla (1862), 5 May; Opening of Congress and Presidential Address to the Nation, 1 September; Independence Day, 16 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; Revolution Day (1910), 20 November; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. All Souls’ Day, 2 November, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Day, 12 December, are not statutory holidays but are widely celebrated. TIME: 6 AM = noon GMT.

JAMAICA

CAPITAL: Kingston FLAG: Two diagonal yellow gold bars forming a saltire divide the flag into four triangular panels. The two side panels are black, and the top and bottom panels are green. ANTHEM: First line, “Eternal father, bless our land...” MONETARY UNIT: The Jamaican dollar (J$) of 100 cents was introduced on 8 September 1969. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents, and 1 dollar, and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. J$1 = US$0.01766 (or US$1 = J$56.6) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Both metric and imperial weights and measures are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 23 May; Independence Day, 1st Monday in August; National Heroes’ Day, 3rd Monday in October; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday. TIME: 7 AM = noon GMT.

HONDURAS

Republic of Honduras República de Honduras CAPITAL: Tegucigalpa FLAG: The national flag consists of a white horizontal stripe between two blue horizontal stripes, with five blue stars on the white stripe representing the five members of the former union of Central American provinces. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Tu bandera es un lampo de cielo” (“Thy flag is a heavenly light”). MONETARY UNIT: The lempira (L), also known as the peso, is a paper currency of 100 centavos. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 centavos, and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 lempiras. L1 = $0.05807 (or $1 = L17.22) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard; some old Spanish measures are still used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Day of the Americas, 14 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 15 September; Birthday of Francisco Morazán, 3 October; Columbus Day, 12 October; Army Day, 21 October; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. TIME: 6 AM = noon GMT.

HAITI

Republic of Haiti République d’Haïti CAPITAL: Port-au-Prince FLAG: The upper half is blue, the lower half red. ANTHEM: La Dessalinienne (Song of Dessalines). MONETARY UNIT: The gourde (G) is a paper currency of 100 centimes. There are coins of 5, 10, 20, and 50 centimes and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, and 500 gourdes. Silver (5, 10, and 25 gourdes) and gold (20, 50, 100, 200, 1,000 gourdes) coins have also been minted. US paper currency also circulates freely throughout Haiti. G1 = $0.0243 (or $1 = G41) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is official for customs purposes, but French colonial units and US weights also are used. HOLIDAYS: Independence and New Year’s Day, 1 January; Forefathers Day, 2 January; Pan American Day, 14 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Flag and University Day, 18 May; National Sovereignty Day, 22 May; Assumption, 15 August; Anniversary of the Death of Dessalines, 17 October; UN Day, 24 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Commemoration of the Battle of Vertières and Armed Forces Day, 18 November; Discovery of Haiti, 5 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Carnival (three days before Ash Wednesday) and Good Friday. TIME: 7 AM = noon GMT.

GUYANA

Cooperative Republic of Guyana CAPITAL: Georgetown FLAG: A red triangle at the hoist extending to the flag’s midpoint is bordered on two sides by a narrow black stripe; extending from this is a golden arrowhead pointing toward the fly and bordered on two sides by a narrow white stripe. Two green triangles make up the rest of the flag. ANTHEM: Begins “Dear land of Guyana, of rivers and plains.” MONETARY UNIT: The Guyanese dollar (G$) of 100 cents is a paper currency tied to the US dollar. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 cents, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 100 Guyanese dollars. G$1 = US$0.00514 (or US$1 = G$194.5; as of April 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Guyana officially converted to the metric system in 1982, but imperial weights and measures are still in general use. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Republic Day, 23 February; Labor Day, 1 May; Caribbean Day, 26 June; Freedom Day, 7 August; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Phagwah, ‘Id al-‘Adha, Yaou-Mun-Nabi, and Dewali. TIME: 9 AM = noon GMT

GUATEMALA

Republic of Guatemala República de Guatemala CAPITAL: Guatemala City FLAG: The national flag consists of a white vertical stripe between two blue vertical stripes with the coat of arms centered in the white band. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Guatemala feliz” (“Happy Guatemala”). MONETARY UNIT: The quetzal (Q) is a paper currency of 100 centavos. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, and notes of 50 centavos and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 quetzales. Q1 = $0.12658 (or $1 = Q7.90) as of May 2003. US notes are widely accepted. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some imperial and old Spanish units also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Anniversary of the Revolution of 1871, 30 June; Independence Day, 15 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; Revolution Day, 20 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. TIME: 6 AM = noon GMT.

GRENADA

Grenada CAPITAL: St. George’s FLAG: The national flag consists of a red border surrounding a rectangle divided into two gold and two green triangles. There are seven yellow stars—three on the upper and three on the lower red border, and one large star at the apex of the four triangles—representing the six parishes and the island of Carriacou. A yellow nutmeg is represented on the hoist triangle. ANTHEM: National anthem beginning “Hail Grenada, land of ours, we pledge ourselves to thee.” MONETARY UNIT: The East Caribbean dollar (EC$) is a paper currency of 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, and 1 dollar, and notes of 5, 10, 20, and 100 East Caribbean dollars. EC$1 = US$0.3704 (or US$1 = EC$2.70) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in use. HOLIDAYS: New Year, 1–2 January; Independence Day, 7 February; Labor Day, 1 May; Thanksgiving, 25 October; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Emancipation Day, 1st Monday in August. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

EL SALVADOR

Republic of El Salvador República de El Salvador CAPITAL: San Salvador FLAG: The national flag consists of a white stripe between two horizontal blue stripes. The national coat of arms is centered in the white band. ANTHEM: Saludemos la Patria Orgullosos (Let us Proudly Hail the Fatherland). MONETARY UNIT: The colón (C), often called the peso, is a paper currency of 100 centavos. There are coins of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos and 1 colón, and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 colónes. C1 = $0.11428 (or $1 = C8.75) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some old Spanish measures also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 15 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; All Souls’ Day, 2 November; First Call for Independence, 5 November; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Monday, and Corpus Christi; there is a movable secular holiday, the Festival (1st week in August). TIME: 6 AM = noon GMT.

ECUADOR

Republic of Ecuador República del Ecuador CAPITAL: Quito FLAG: The flag consists of three horizontal stripes, the yellow uppermost stripe being equal to the combined widths of the blue center stripe and the red lower stripe. ANTHEM: Salve, O Patria (Hail, O Fatherland). MONETARY UNIT: The sucre has been replaced by the U.S. dollar as the official currency as of March 2000 at a rate of 25,000 sucres for 1 U.S. dollar. The dollar ($) of 100 cents is a paper currency with a floating rate. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. Although issuance of higher notes ceased in 1969, a limited number of notes of 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 dollars remain in circulation. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but local and old Spanish units also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Battle of Pichincha, 24 May; Simón Bolívar’s Birthday, 24 July; Quito’s Independence Day, 10 August; Guayaquil’s Independence Day, 9 October; Columbus Day, 12 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; All Souls’ Day, 2 November; Cuenca’s Independence Day, 3 November; Foundation of Quito, 6 December; Christmas Day, 25 December. Movable holidays include Carnival and Holy Week. TIME: Mainland, 7 AM = noon GMT; Galápagos Islands, 6 AM = noon GMT.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Dominican Republic Republica Dominicana CAPITAL: Santo Domingo FLAG: The national flag, adopted in 1844, consists of a white cross superimposed on a field of four rectangles, the upper left and lower right in blue, the upper right and lower left in red. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Quisqueyanos valientes, alcemos nuestro canto” (“Valiant Dominicans, let us raise our song”). MONETARY UNIT: The Dominican peso (RD$) of 100 centavos is a paper currency. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos and 1 peso, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 pesos. RD$1 = US$0.0421 (or US$1 = RD$23.75) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but US and Spanish weights are widely used in commercial transactions. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Altagracia Day, 21 January; Duarte Day, 26 January; Independence Day, 27 February; Labor Day, 1 May; Restoration of Independence, 16 August; Day of Our Lady of Las Mercedes, 24 September; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Corpus Christi. TIME: Eastern Daylight Savings Time is maintained throughout the year; 8 AM = noon GMT.

DOMINICA

Commonwealth of Dominica Dominica CAPITAL: Roseau FLAG: On a green background appears a cross composed of yellow, black, and white stripes; in the center is a red disk with 10 yellow-bordered green stars surrounding a parrot. ANTHEM: Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendor. MONETARY UNIT: The East Caribbean dollar (EC$) of 100 cents is the national currency. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 25, and 1 dollar, and notes of 5, 10, 20, and 100 East Caribbean dollars. EC$1 = US0.3704 (or US$1 = EC$2.70) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is being introduced, but imperial measures remain in common use. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Caricom Day, 2 July; Bank Holiday, 1st Monday in August; National Days, 3–4 November; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Carnival, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Whitmonday. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

CUBA

Republic of Cuba República de Cuba CAPITAL: Havana (La Habana) FLAG: The flag consists of five alternating blue and white horizontal stripes penetrated from the hoist side by a red triangle containing a white five-pointed star. ANTHEM: Himno de Bayamo (Hymn of Bayamo), beginning “Al combate corred bayameses” (“March to the battle, people of Bayamo”). MONETARY UNIT: The Cuban peso (C$) of 100 centavos is a paper currency with one exchange rate. There are coins of 1, 2, 3, 5, 20, 40, and 100 centavos and notes of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos. C$1 = US$1 (or US$1 = C$1). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but older Spanish units and the imperial system are still employed. The standard unit of land measure is the caballería (13.4 hectares/ 133.1 acres). HOLIDAYS: Day of the Revolution, Liberation Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Anniversary of the Revolution, 25–27 July; Proclamation of Yara, 10 October. Celebration of religious holidays falling during the work week was prohibited by a 1972 law. TIME: 7 AM = noon GMT.

COSTA RICA

Republic of Costa Rica República de Costa Rica CAPITAL: San José FLAG: The national flag consists of five horizontal stripes of blue, white, red, white, and blue, the center stripe being wider than the others. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera” (“Noble native land, your beautiful flag”). MONETARY UNIT: The colón (C) is a paper currency of 100 céntimos. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 céntimos and of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 colones, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 colones. C1 = $0.00256 (or $1 = C390.04) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but local measures also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day and Solemnity of Mary, 1 January; Day of St. Joseph (Costa Rica’s patron saint), 19 March; Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas, 11 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, 29 June; Anniversary of the Annexation of Guanacaste, 25 July; Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, 2 August; Assumption (Mother’s Day), 15 August; Independence Day, 15 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Abolition of Armed Forces Day, 1 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Corpus Christi. TIME: 6 AM = noon GMT.

COLOMBIA

Republic of Colombia República de Colombia CAPITAL: Bogotá FLAG: The national flag consists of three horizontal stripes; the yellow upper stripe is twice as wide as each of the other two, which are blue and red. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “O gloria inmarcesible, júbilo inmortal” (“O unwithering glory, immortal joy”). MONETARY UNIT: The Colombian peso (C$) of 100 centavos is a paper currency. There are coins of 10, 20, and 50 centavos and of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pesos, and notes of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 pesos. Commemorative gold coins of various denominations also have been minted. C$1 = US$0.0003418 (or US$1 = C$2925) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the official standard, but Spanish units such as the botella, vara, fonegada, arroba, and quintal also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; St. Joseph’s Day, 19 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, 29 June; Independence Day, 20 July; Battle of Boyacá, 7 August; Assumption, 15 August; Columbus Day, 12 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Independence of Cartagena, 11 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Ascension, Sacred Heart, and Corpus Christi. In addition there are six official commemorative days. TIME: 7 AM = noon GMT.

CHILE

Republic of Chile República de Chile CAPITAL: Santiago FLAG: The flag, adopted in 1817, consists of a lower half of red and an upper section of white, with a blue square in the upper left corner containing a five-pointed white star. ANTHEM: Canción Nacional (National Song) beginning “Dulce Patria, recibe los votos.” MONETARY UNIT: The peso (P) of 100 centavos replaced the escudo as the nation’s monetary unit in October 1975. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 pesos, and notes of 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 pesos. P1 = US$0.00141 (or US$1 = P708) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but local measures also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Navy Day (Battle of Iquique), 21 May; Assumption, 15 August; Independence Day, 18 September; Army Day, 19 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Holy Saturday. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

CANADA

CAPITAL: Ottawa FLAG: The national flag, adopted in 1964, consists of a red maple leaf on a white field, flanked by a red vertical field on each end. ANTHEM: Since 1 July 1980, O Canada has been the official anthem. MONETARY UNIT: The Canadian dollar (C$) is a paper currency of 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, 1 dollar and 2 dollars, and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 1,000 Canadian dollars. Silver coins of 5 and 10 dollars, commemorating the Olympics, were issued during 1973–76. C$1 = US$0.6899 (or US$1 = C$1.45) as of May 2003. US currency is usually accepted, especially in major cities and along the border. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Good Friday; Easter Monday; Victoria Day, the Monday preceding 25 May; Canada Day, 1 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Thanksgiving Day, 2d Monday in October; Remembrance Day, 11 November; Christmas Day, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Other holidays are observed in some provinces. TIME: Newfoundland, 8:30 AM = noon GMT; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec, 8 AM = noon GMT; Ontario east of 90 and western Quebec, 7 AM = noon GMT; western Ontario and Manitoba, 6 AM = noon GMT; Alberta and Saskatchewan, 5 AM = noon GMT; British Columbia and Yukon Territory, 4 AM = noon GMT.

BRAZIL

Federative Republic of Brazil República Federativa do Brasil CAPITAL: Brasília FLAG: The national flag consists of a green field upon which is a large yellow diamond twice as wide as it is high. Centered within the diamond is a blue globe showing constellations of the southern skies dominated by the Southern Cross. Encircling the globe is a white banner bearing the words Ordem e Progresso. ANTHEM: Hino Nacional Brasileiro, beginning “Ouviram do Ipiranga” (“Listen to the cry of Ipiranga”). MONETARY UNIT: On 1 July 1994, the real (R$), a paper currency of 100 centavos, replaced the cruzeiro real (CR$) at the rate of R$1:CR$2,750. R$1 = US$0.3333 (or US$1 = R$3.0) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some local units also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Tiradentes, 21 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 7 September; Our Lady of Aparecida (Patroness of Brazil), 12 October; All Souls’ Day, 2 November; Proclamation of the Republic, 15 November; Christmas, 25 December. Movable holidays include the pre-Lenten carnival, usually in February, Good Friday, and Corpus Christi. TIME: At noon GMT, the time in Fernando de Noronha is 10 AM; Rio de Janeiro, 9 AM; Manaus, 8 AM; Rio Branco, 7 AM.

BOLIVIA

Republic of Bolivia República de Bolivia CAPITAL: La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (legal and judicial capital) FLAG: The flag is a horizontal tricolor of red (top), yellow, and green stripes. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Bolivianos, el hado propicio coronó nuestros volos anhelos” (“Bolivians, propitious fate crowned our outcries of yearning.”) MONETARY UNIT: The boliviano (B) was introduced on 1 January 1987, replacing the peso at a rate of P1,000,000 = B1. There are coins of 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 boliviano and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 bolivianos. B1 = $0.1314 (or $1 = B7.61) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some Spanish weights are still used in retail trade. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; National Festival, 5–7 August; Columbus Day, 12 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Christmas, 25 December. Movable holidays include Carnival, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Corpus Christi. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT.

BELIZE

CAPITAL: Belmopan FLAG: The national flag consists of the Belize coat of arms on a white disk centered in a blue rectangular field with a narrow red stripe at the top and the bottom. ANTHEM: Land of the Free. MONETARY UNIT: The Belize dollar (B$), formerly tied to the UK pound sterling and now pegged to the US dollar, is a paper currency of 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. B$1= US$0.50 (or US$1= B$2.00; as of February 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Imperial weights and measures are used. The exception is the measuring of petroleum products, for which the US gallon is standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Baron Bliss Day, 9 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Commonwealth Day, 24 May; National Day, 10 September; Independence Day, 21 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; Garifuna Day, 19 November; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable holidays are Good Friday and Easter Monday. TIME: 6 AM = noon GMT.

THE BAHAMAS

Commonwealth of the Bahamas CAPITAL: Nassau FLAG: Three horizontal stripes of blue, gold, and blue, with a black triangle at the hoist. ANTHEM: March on Bahamaland. MONETARY UNIT: The Bahamas dollar (B$) of 100 cents has been in use since May 1966. As of June 1972, the Bahamas dollar ceased to be part of the sterling area and was set on a par with the US dollar. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 50 cents, and 1, 2, and 5 dollars, and notes of 50 cents and 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. B$1=US$1 (or US$1=B$1). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Imperial weights and measures are in use. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, first Friday in June; Independence Day, 10 July; Emancipation Day, first Monday in August; Discovery Day, 12 October; Christmas Day, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Whitmonday. TIME: 7 AM = noon GMT.

ARGENTINA

Argentine Republic República Argentina CAPITAL: Buenos Aires FLAG: The national flag consists of a white horizontal stripe between two light blue horizontal stripes. Centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face. ANTHEM: Himno Nacional, beginning “Oíd, mortales, el grito sagrado Libertad” (“Hear, O mortals, the sacred cry of Liberty”). MONETARY UNIT: The peso (A$) is a paper currency of 100 centavos. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos, and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos. The rate of exchange is about A$0.3597= US$1 (or US$1= A$2.78) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Anniversary of the 1810 Revolution, 25 May; Occupation of the Islas Malvinas, 10 June; Flag Day, 20 June; Independence Day, 9 July; Anniversary of San Martín, 17 August; Columbus Day, 12 October; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Carnival (two days in February or March) and Good Friday. TIME: 9 AM = noon GMT.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

CAPITAL: St. John’s FLAG: Centered on a red background is a downward-pointing triangle divided horizontally into three bands of black, light blue, and white, the black stripe bearing a symbol of the rising sun in yellow. ANTHEM: Begins “Fair Antigua and Barbuda, I salute thee.” MONETARY UNIT: The East Caribbean dollar (EC$) is a paper currency of 100 cents, pegged to the US dollar. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 5, 10, 20, and 100 dollars. EC$1 = US$0.3704 (or US$1 = EC$2.70) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Imperial measures are used, but the metric system is being introduced. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1st Monday in May; CARICOM Day, 3 July; State Day, 1 November; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Whitmonday. TIME: 8 AM = noon GMT

VATICAN

The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) Santa Sede (Stato della Cittá del Vaticano) CAPITAL: Vatican City FLAG: The flag consists of two vertical stripes, yellow at the hoist and white at the fly. On the white field, in yellow, are the crossed keys of St. Peter, the first pope, surmounted by the papal tiara (triple crown). ANTHEM: Pontifical March (no words). MONETARY UNIT: In 1930, after a lapse of 60 years, the Vatican resumed issuance of its own coinage— the lira (L)—but it agreed to issue no more than 300 million lire in any year. There are coins of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 lire. Both Italy and the Vatican adopted the euro as official currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. The Vatican lira is fixed at 1,936.17 lire per euro. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in use. HOLIDAYS: Roman Catholic religious holidays; the coronation day of the reigning pope; days when public consistory is held. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

UNITED KINGDOM

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland CAPITAL: London FLAG: The Union Jack, adopted in 1800, is a combination of the banners of England (St. George’s flag: a red cross with extended horizontals on a white field), Scotland (St. Andrew’s flag: a white saltire cross on a blue field), and Ireland (St. Patrick’s flag: a red saltire cross on a white field). The arms of the saltire crosses do not meet at the center. ANTHEM: God Save the Queen. MONETARY UNIT: The pound sterling (£) is a paper currency of 100 pence. Before decimal coinage was introduced on 15 February 1971, the pound had been divided into 20 shillings, each shilling representing 12 pennies (p) or pence; some old-style coins are still in circulation. Under the new system, there are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pence and 1 and 2 pounds, and notes of 5, 10, 20, and 50 pounds. £1 = $1.59 (or $1 = £0.628; in May 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Although the traditional imperial system of weights and measures is still in use (sample units: of weight, the stone of 14 pounds equivalent to 6.35 kilograms; of length, the yard equivalent to 0.914 meter; of capacity, a bushel equivalent to 36.37 liters), a changeover to the metric system is in progress. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Good Friday; Easter Monday (except Scotland); Late Summer Holiday, last Monday in August or 1st in September (except Scotland); Christmas, 25 December; and Boxing Day, 1st weekday after Christmas. Also observed in Scotland are bank holidays on 2 January and on the 1st Monday in August. Northern Ireland observes St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March; and Orangeman’s Day, 12 July, commemorating the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. TIME: GMT.

UKRAIN

Ukraina CAPITAL: Kiev (Kyyiv) FLAG: Equal horizontal bands of azure blue (top) and yellow. ANTHEM: The National Anthem of Ukraine. MONETARY UNIT: The official currency, introduced in early 1993, is the hryvnia (HRN), which consists of 100 shahy. $1 = HRN5.33; as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1–2 January; Christmas, 7 January; Women’s Day, 8 March; Spring and Labor Day, 1–2 May; Victory Day, 9 May; Ukrainian Independence Day, 24 August. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

SWITZERLAND

Swiss Confederation [French] Suisse; (Confédération Suisse); [German] Schweiz; (Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft); [Italian] Svizzera; (Confederazione Svizzera); [Romanish] Svizra (Confederaziun Helvetica) CAPITAL: Bern FLAG: The national flag consists of an equilateral white cross on a red background, each arm of the cross being one-sixth longer than its width. ANTHEM: The Swiss Hymn begins “Trittst in Morgenrot daher, Seh’ ich dich in Strahlenmeer” (“Radiant in the morning sky, Lord, I see that Thou art nigh”). MONETARY UNIT: The Swiss franc (SwFr) of 100 centimes, or rappen, is the national currency. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 centimes and 1, 2, and 5 francs, and notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 francs. SwFr1 = $0.7634 (or $1 = SwFr1.31) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year, 1–2 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, and Whitmonday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

SWEDEN

Kingdom of Sweden Konungariket Sverige CAPITAL: Stockholm FLAG: The national flag, dating from 1569 and employing a blue and gold motif used as early as the mid-14th century, consists of a gold cross with extended right horizontal on a blue field. ANTHEM: Du gamla, du fria, du fjallhöga nord (O Glorious Old Mountain-Crowned Land of the North). MONETARY UNIT: The krona (KR) is a paper currency of 100 öre. There are coins of 50 öre and 1, 2, 5, and 10 kronor, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 kronor. KR1 = $0.1201 (or $1 = KR8.33) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some old local measures are still in use, notably the Swedish mile (10 kilometers). HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Midsummer Day, Saturday nearest 24 June; All Saints’ Day, 5 November; Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, and Whitmonday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

SPAIN

Kingdom of Spain España CAPITAL: Madrid FLAG: The national flag, adopted in 1785, consists of three horizontal stripes: a yellow one—equal in size to the other two combined—between two red ones, with the coat of arms on the yellow stripe. ANTHEM: Marcha Real Granadera (March of the Royal Grenadier). MONETARY UNIT: The peseta was replaced by the euro as official currency as of 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; St. Joseph’s Day, 19 March; Epiphany, 31 March; Day of St. Joseph the Artisan, 1 May; St. James’s Day, 25 July; Assumption, 15 August; National Day and Hispanic Day, 12 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Corpus Christi. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

SLOVENIA

Republic of Slovenia Republika Slovenije CAPITAL: Ljubljana FLAG: Equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with seal superimposed on upper hoist side. ANTHEM: Zive naj vsi narodi. (The national anthem begins, “Let all nations live . . .”) MONETARY UNIT: The currency of Slovenia is the tolar (SLT), which consists of 100 stotinov. There are coins of 50 stotinov and 1, 2, and 5 tolars, and notes of 10, 20, 50, and 200 tolars. SLT1 = $0.0047 (or $1 = SLT212) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year, 1–2 January; Preeren Day, Day of Culture, 8 February; Resistance Day, 27 April; Labor Days, 1–2 May; National Statehood Day, 25 June; Assumption, 15 August; Reformation Day, 31 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Christmas Day, 25 December; Independence Day, 26 December. Movable holidays are Easter Sunday and Monday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

SLOVAKIA

Slovak Republic Slovenska Republika CAPITAL: Bratislava FLAG: Horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, superimposed with a crest of a white double cross on three blue mountains. ANTHEM: Nad Tatru sa blyska (Over Tatra it lightens). MONETARY UNIT: The currency of the Slovak Republic is the Slovak koruna (SK) consisting of 100 hellers, which replaced the Czechoslovak Koruna (KCS) on 8 February 1993. There are coins of 10, 20, and 50 hellers and 1, 2, 5, and 10 korun, and notes of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 korun. SK1 = $0.0271(or $1 = SK36.87) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; May Day, 1 May; Anniversary of Liberation, 8 May; Day of the Slav Apostles, 5 July; Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising, 29 August; Reconciliation Day, 1 November; Christmas, 24–26 December. Movable holiday is Easter Monday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

CAPITAL: Belgrade FLAG: The flag is a tricolor of blue, white, and red horizontal stripes. ANTHEM: MONETARY UNIT: The new dinar (JD) replaced the dinar on 24 January 1994. As of May 2003, JD1 = $0.1696 (or $1 = JD58.95). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 and 2 January; Orthodox Christmas, 7 January; Orthodox New Year, 13 January; Unification of Serbia, 28 March; FR Yugoslavia Day, 27 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Victory Day, 9 May; St. Vitus Day, 28 June; Serbian Uprising, 7 July. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

SAN MARINO

The Most Serene Republic of San Marino La Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino CAPITAL: San Marino FLAG: The flag is divided horizontally into two equal bands, sky blue below and white above. ANTHEM: Onore a te, onore, o antica repubblica (Honor to You, O Ancient Republic). MONETARY UNIT: The Italian lira was replaced by the euro as official currency as of 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). The country issues its own coins in limited numbers as well. Coins of San Marino may circulate in both the republic and in Italy. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Anniversary of St. Agatha, second patron saint of the republic, and of the liberation of San Marino (1740), 5 February; Anniversary of the Arengo, 25 March; Investiture of the Captains-Regent, 1 April and 1 October; Labor Day, 1 May; Fall of Fascism, 28 July; Assumption and August Bank Holiday, 14–16 August; Anniversary of the Foundation of San Marino, 3 September; All Saint’s Day, 1 November; Commemoration of the Dead, 2 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 24–26 December; New Year’s Eve, 31 December. Movable religious holidays include Easter Monday and Ascension. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

RUSSIA

Russian Federation Rossiyskaya Federatsiya CAPITAL: Moscow FLAG: Equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red. ANTHEM: Patriotic Song. MONETARY UNIT: The rouble (R) is a paper currency of 100 kopecks. There are coins of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 50 kopecks and 1 rouble, and notes of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 50,000 roubles. R1 = $0.0322 (or $1 = R31.10) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1–2 January; Christmas, 7 January; Women’s Day, 8 March; Spring and Labor Day, 1–2 May; Victory Day, 9 May; State Sovereignty Day, 12 June; Socialist Revolution Day, 7 November. TIME: 3 PM Moscow = noon GMT.

ROMANIA

Romania CAPITAL: Bucharest (Bucuresti) FLAG: The national flag, adopted in 1965, is a tricolor of blue, yellow, and red vertical stripes. ANTHEM: Trei culori (Three Colors). MONETARY UNIT: The leu (L) is a paper currency of 100 bani. There are coins of 25 bani and 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 lei, and notes of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 lei. L1 = $0.0000299 (or $1 = L33,409) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; International Labor Day, 1–2 May; Liberation Day, 23 August; National Day, 1 December; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

PORTUGAL

Portuguese Republic República Portuguesa CAPITAL: Lisbon (Lisboa) FLAG: The national flag, adopted in 1911, consists of a green field at the hoist and a larger red field. At the junction of the two, in yellow, red, blue, and white, is the national coat of arms. ANTHEM: A Portuguesa (The Portuguese). MONETARY UNIT: The escudo (E) was replaced by the euro as official currency as of 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Carnival Day, 15 February; Anniversary of the Revolution, 25 April; Labor Day, 1 May; National Day, 10 June; Assumption, 15 August; Republic Day, 5 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Independence Day, 1 December; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Carnival Day, Good Friday, and Corpus Christi. TIME: GMT.

POLAND

Republic of Poland Rzeczpospolita Polska CAPITAL: Warsaw (Warszawa) FLAG: The national flag consists of two horizontal stripes, the upper white and the lower red. ANTHEM: Jeszcze Polska nie zginela (Poland Is Not Yet Lost). MONETARY UNIT: The zloty (Z) is a paper currency of 100 groszy. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 groszy and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 zlotys, and notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 zlotys. A currency reform on 1 January 1995 replaced 10,000 old zlotys with 1 new zloty. Z1 = $0.2638 (or $1 = Z3.79) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; National Day, 3 May; Victory Day, 9 May; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable holidays are Easter Monday and Corpus Christi. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

NORWAY

Kingdom of Norway Kongeriket Norge CAPITAL: Oslo FLAG: The national flag has a red field on which appears a blue cross outlined in white. ANTHEM: Ja, vi elsker dette landet (Yes, We Love This Country). MONETARY UNIT: The krone (Kr) of 100 øre is the national currency. There are coins of 50 øre and 1, 5, and 10 kroner, and notes of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 kroner. Kr1 = $0.1410 (or $1 = Kr7.09) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; National Independence Day, 17 May; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, and Whitmonday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

NETHERLANDS

Kingdom of the Netherlands Koninkrijk der Nederlanden CAPITAL: Constitutional capital: Amsterdam. Seat of government: The Hague (‘s Gravenhage; Den Haag) FLAG: The national flag, standardized in 1937, is a tricolor of red, white, and blue horizontal stripes. ANTHEM: Wilhelmus van Nassouwen (William of Nassau). MONETARY UNIT: The guilder was replaced by the euro as official currency as of 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Queen’s Day, 30 April; National Liberation Day, 5 May; Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Monday, Ascension, and Whitmonday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

MONACO

Principality of Monaco Principauté de Monaco CAPITAL: The seat of government is at Monaco-Ville. FLAG: The national flag consists of a red horizontal stripe above a white horizontal stripe. ANTHEM: Hymne Monégasque, beginning “Principauté Monaco, ma patrie” (“Principality of Monaco, my fatherland”). MONETARY UNIT: Monaco uses the euro and all monetary restrictions in effect in France apply also in Monaco. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). Monégasque coins also circulate; denominations are 10, 20, and 50 centimes, and 1, 2, 5, 10, and 50 francs. Fr1 = $0.17699 (or $1 = Fr5.65) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; St. Dévôte, 27 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Assumption, 15 August; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; National Day, 19 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Easter Monday, Ascension, Pentecost Monday, and Fête-Dieu. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

MOLDOVA

Republic of Moldova Republica Moldoveneasca CAPITAL: Chis¸ina
u FLAG: Equal vertical bands of blue, yellow, and red; emblem in center of yellow stripe is Roman eagle with shield on its breast. ANTHEM: Limba Noastra (Our Tongue) MONETARY UNIT: The leu (MLD) is a paper currency, replacing the Russian rouble. As of May 2003, 1MLD = $0.08236 ($1 = MLD14.45) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: Independence Day, 27 August. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

MALTA

The Republic of Malta Repubblika Ta’ Malta CAPITAL: Valletta FLAG: The national flag consists of two equal vertical stripes, white at the hoist and red at the fly, with a representation of the Maltese Cross, edged with red, in the canton of the white stripe. ANTHEM: L’Innu Malti (The Maltese Hymn). MONETARY UNIT: The Maltese lira (LM) consists of 100 cents, with each cent divided into 10 mils. There are coins of 2, 3, and 5 mils and of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, and notes of 2, 5, 10, and 20 lira. Gold and silver coins of 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100 lira also are in circulation. ML1 = $2.5 (or $1 = M0.40; as of April 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some local measures are still in use. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; National Day, 31 March; May Day, 1 May; Assumption, 15 August; Republic Day, 13 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable holidays include Good Friday. TIME: 1PM = noon GMT.

MACEDONIA

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Republika Makedonija CAPITAL: Skopje FLAG: The flag consists of a gold sun with eight rays on a red field. ANTHEM: Denec Nad Makedonija (Today over Macedonia) MONETARY UNIT: The currency in use is the denar (DEN). Denominations from smallest to largest are fifty deni, one denar, two denari, and five denari. In May 2003, US$1 = DEN55.56 (or DEN1 = US$0.0179), but exchange rates are likely to fluctuate. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in effect in Macedonia. HOLIDAYS: Orthodox Christmas, 7 January; national holiday, 2 August; Day of Referendum, 8 September. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

LUXEMBOURG

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg [French] Grand-Duché de Luxembourg [German] Grossherzogtum Luxemburg CAPITAL: Luxembourg FLAG: The flag is a tricolor of red, white, and blue horizontal stripes. ANTHEM: Ons Hémecht (Our Homeland). MONETARY UNIT: The Luxembourg franc was replaced by the euro as official currency as of 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; public celebration of the Grand Duke’s Birthday, 23 June; Assumption, 15 August; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable religious holidays include Shrove Monday, Easter Monday, Ascension, and Pentecost Monday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

LITHUANIA

Republic of Lithuania Lietuvos Respublika CAPITAL: Vilnius FLAG: Three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red. ANTHEM: Tautika Giesme (The National Song). MONETARY UNIT: The Lithuanian lita of 100 cents has replaced the transitional system of coupons (talonas) which had been in force since October 1992, when the Soviet ruble was demonetized. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1, 2, and 5 litas, and notes of 10, 20, 50, and 100 litas; litas 1 = $0. 3336 (or $1 = litas 2.997) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Day of the Restoration of the Lithuanian State, 16 February; Good Friday (movable); Anniversary of the Coronation of Grand Duke Mindaugas of Lithuania, 6 July; National Day of Hope and Mourning, 1 November; Christmas, 25–26 December. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

LIECHTENSTEIN

Principality of Liechtenstein Fürstentum Liechtenstein CAPITAL: Vaduz FLAG: The national flag is divided into two horizontal rectangles, blue above red. On the blue rectangle, near the hoist, is the princely crown in gold. ANTHEM: Oben am jungen Rhein (On the Banks of the Young Rhine). MONETARY UNIT: The Swiss franc (SwFr) of 100 centimes, or rappen, has been in use since February 1921. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 centimes and 1, 2, and 5 francs, and notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 francs. SwFr1 = $0.7633 (or $1 = SwFr1.31) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Candlemas, 2 February; St. Joseph’s Day, 19 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Assumption, 15 August; Nativity of Our Lady, 8 September; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December; St. Stephen’s Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, Whitmonday, and Corpus Christi. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

LATVIA

Republic of Latvia Latvijas Republika CAPITAL: Riga FLAG: The flag consists of a single white horizontal stripe on a maroon field. ANTHEM: Dievs, sveti Latviju! (God bless Latvia!) MONETARY UNIT: The lat was introduced as the official currency in May 1993; $1 = Ls0.57; as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Good Friday (movable); Midsummer Festival, 23–24 June; National Day, Proclamation of the Republic, 18 November; Christmas, 25–26 December; New Year’s Eve, 31 December. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

ITALY

Italian Republic Repubblica Italiana CAPITAL: Rome (Roma) FLAG: The national flag is a tricolor of green, white, and red vertical stripes. ANTHEM: Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy). MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the lira as the official currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Liberation Day, 25 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Assumption, 15 August; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; National Unity Day, 5 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December; St. Stephen’s Day, 26 December. Easter Monday is a movable holiday. In addition, each town has a holiday on its Saint’s Day. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

IRELAND

Éire CAPITAL: Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) FLAG: The national flag is a tricolor of green, white, and orange vertical stripes. ANTHEM: Amhrán na bhFiann (The Soldier’s Song). MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the Irish punt as the official currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Since 1988, Ireland has largely converted from the British system of weights and measures to the metric system. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March; Bank Holidays, 1st Monday in June, 1st Monday in August, and last Monday in October; Christmas Day, 25 December; St. Stephen’s Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Easter Monday. TIME: GMT.

ICELAND

Republic of Iceland Lveldi Ísland CAPITAL: Reykjavík FLAG: The national flag, introduced in 1916, consists of a red cross (with an extended right horizontal), bordered in white, on a blue field. ANTHEM: O Gu vors lands (O God of Our Land). MONETARY UNIT: The new króna (K), introduced 1 January 1981 and equivalent to 100 old krónur, is a paper currency of 100 aurar. There are coins of 5, 10, and 50 aurar and 1, 10 and 50 krónur, and notes of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 krónur. SK1 = $0.01319 (or $1 = K75.8) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; First Day of Summer, April; Labor Day, 1 May; National Holiday, 17 June; Bank Holiday, August; Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, and Whitmonday. Half-holidays are observed on Christmas Eve, 24 December, and New Year’s Eve, 31 December. TIME: GMT.

HUNGARY

Republic of Hungary Magyar Népköztársaság CAPITAL: Budapest FLAG: The national flag, adopted in 1957, is a tricolor of red, white, and green horizontal stripes. ANTHEM: Isten áldd meg a magyart (God Bless the Hungarians). MONETARY UNIT: The forint (FT) of 100 fillérs is a paper currency with flexible rates of exchange. There are coins of 10, 20, and 50 fillérs and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 100, and 200 forints, and notes of 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 forints. FT1 = $0.00446 (or $1 = FT224) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Anniversary of 1848 uprising against Austrian rule, 15 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Constitution Day, 20 August; Day of the Proclamation of the Republic, 23 October; Christmas, 25–26 December. Easter Monday is a movable holiday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

GREECE

Hellenic Republic Elliniki Dhimokratia CAPITAL: Athens (Athínai) FLAG: The national flag consists of nine equal horizontal stripes of royal blue alternating with white and a white cross on a royal-blue square canton. ANTHEM: Ethnikos Hymnos (National Hymn), beginning “Se gnorizo apo tin kopsi” (“I recognize you by the keenness of your sword”). MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the drachma as official currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Independence Day, 25 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Assumption, 15 August; National Day (anniversary of successful resistance to Italian attack in 1940), 28 October; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Shrove Monday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

GERMANY

Federal Republic of Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland CAPITAL: Berlin FLAG: The flag is a tricolor of black, red, and gold horizontal stripes—the flag of the German (Weimar) Republic from 1919 until 1933. ANTHEM: Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit (Unity and Justice and Liberty). MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the deutsche mark as the official currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; German Unity Day, 3 October; Repentance Day, Wednesday before the 3rd Sunday in November (except Bavaria); Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, and Whitmonday. In addition, the movable Carnival/Rose Monday holiday and various provincial holidays also are celebrated. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

GEORGIA

Republic of Georgia Sakartveld Respublika CAPITAL: T’bilisi (Tbilisi) FLAG: Maroon field with a small rectangle in the upper hoist side corner. The rectangle is divided horizontally with black on top, white below. ANTHEM: National Anthem of the Republic of Georgia. MONETARY UNIT: The lari (L) was issued in 1995 to replace government coupons that were introduced in 1993. L1 = $0.4629 (or $1 = L2.16) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1–2 January; Christmas, 7 January; Independence Day, 26 May; St. George’s Day, 22 November. TIME: 3 PM = noon GMT.

FRANCE

French Republic République Française CAPITAL: Paris FLAG: The national flag is a tricolor of blue, white, and red vertical stripes. ANTHEM: La Marseillaise. MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the franc as the official currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; World War II Armistice Day, 8 May; Bastille Day, 14 July; Assumption, 15 August; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; World War I Armistice Day, 11 November; Christmas, 25 December. Movable holidays include Easter Monday, Ascension, and Pentecost Monday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

FINLAND

Republic of Finland Suomen Tasavalta CAPITAL: Helsinki FLAG: The civil flag contains an ultramarine cross with an extended right horizontal on a white background. ANTHEM: Maammelaulu (in Swedish, Vårt land; Our Land). MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the markkaa as the official currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; May Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 6 December; Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Whitsun, and Midsummer Day (late June). Epiphany, Ascension, and All Saints’ Day are adjusted to fall always on Saturdays. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

ESTONIA

Republic of Estonia Eesti Vabariik CAPITAL: Tallinn FLAG: Three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white. ANTHEM: Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy). MONETARY UNIT: The Estonian kroon (EEK) was introduced in August 1992, replacing the Russian ruble. EEK1 = $0.07015 (or $1 = EEK14.254); as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Independence Day, 24 February; Good Friday, 14 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Victory Day, anniversary of the Battle of Vonnu in 1919, 23 June; Midsummer Day, 24 June; Christmas, 25–26 December. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

DENMARK

Kingdom of Denmark Kongeriget Danmark CAPITAL: Copenhagen (København) FLAG: The Danish national flag, known as the Dannebrog, is one of the oldest national flags in the world, although the concept of a national flag did not develop until the late 18th century when the Dannebrog was already half a millennium old. The design shows a white cross on a field of red. ANTHEM: There are two national anthems—Kong Kristian stod ved hojen mast (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and Der er et yndigt land (There Is a Lovely Land). MONETARY UNIT: The krone (KR) of 100 øre is a commercially convertible paper currency with one basic official exchange rate. There are coins of 25 and 50 øre, and 1, 5, 10, and 20 kroner, and notes of 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 kroner. KR1 = $0.1477 (or $1 = KR6.77) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some local units are used for special purposes. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Constitution Day, 5 June; Christmas Day, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Prayer Day (4th Friday after Easter), Ascension, and Whitmonday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Czech Republic Ceskaá Republika CAPITAL: Prague (Praha) FLAG: The national flag consists of a white stripe over a red stripe, with a blue triangle extending from hoist to midpoint. ANTHEM: Kde domov muj (Where Is My Native Land). MONETARY UNIT: The koruna (KC) is a paper currency of 100 haléru, which replaced the Czechoslovak koruna (KCS) on 8 February 1993. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 heller and of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 koruny, and notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 koruny. KC1 = $0.03401 (or $1 = Kc29.4) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Anniversary of Liberation, 9 May; Day of the Apostles, St. Cyril and St. Methodius, 6 July; Christmas, 25 December; St. Stephen’s Day, 26 December. Easter Monday is a movable holiday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

CROATIA

Republic of Croatia Republika Hrvatska CAPITAL: Zagreb FLAG: Red, white, and blue horizontal bands with the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered). ANTHEM: Lijepa Nasa Domovina. MONETARY UNIT: The Croatian kuna (HRK was introduced in 1994, consisting of 100 lipa. As of January 2000, HRK1 = $0.1470 (or US$1 = HRK6.8) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Republic Day, 30 May; National Holiday, 22 June; Assumption, 15 August; Christmas, 25–26 December. TIME: 7 PM = noon GMT.

BULGARIA

Republic of Bulgaria Republika Bulgariya CAPITAL: Sofia (Sofiya) FLAG: The flag is a tricolor of white, green, and red horizontal stripes. ANTHEM: Bulgariya mila, zemya na geroi (Dear Bulgaria, Land of Heroes). MONETARY UNIT: The lev (LV) of 100 stotinki has coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 stotinki and 1 and 2 leva, and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 leva. Lv1 = $0.5649 (or $1 = LV1.77) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Days, 1–2 May; Education and Culture Day, 24 May; Christmas, 24–25 December. TIME: 2 PM=noon GMT.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Republika Bosnia i Herzegovina CAPITAL: Sarajevo FLAG: Introduced in early 1998, the flag consists of a yellow triangle on a royal blue field, with a row of white stars running diagonally along the triangle’s edge. The yellow triangle represents the country’s three main ethnic groups, while the royal blue field and stars symbolize a possible future inclusion in the Council of Europe. ANTHEM: Zemljo Tisucljetna (Thousand-Year-Old Land). MONETARY UNIT: 1 convertible marka (KM) = 100 convertible pfenniga. 1KM = $0.5617 ($1 = KM1.78) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1–2 January; Labor Days, 1–2 May; 27 July; 25 November. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

BELGIUM

Kingdom of Belgium Dutch: Koninkrijk België; French: Royaume de Belgique CAPITAL: Brussels (Brussel, Bruxelles) FLAG: The flag, adopted in 1831, is a tricolor of black, yellow, and red vertical stripes. ANTHEM: La Brabançonne (The Song of Brabant), named after the Duchy of Brabant. MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the Belgian franc in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro; and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Labor Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 21 July; Assumption Day, 15 August; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Armistice Day, 11 November; Dynasty Day, 15 November; and Christmas, 25 December. Movable holidays are Easter Monday, Ascension, and Whitmonday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

BELARUS

Republic of Belarus Respublika Belarus CAPITAL: Minsk FLAG: Two horizontal bands of red (top) and green, with the red band twice as wide as the green. At the hoist is a vertical band showing a traditional Belarusian ornamental pattern. ANTHEM: Maladaya Belarus. MONETARY UNIT: The Belarus ruble (BR) circulates along with the Russian rouble (R). The government has a varying exchange rate for trade between Belarus and Russia. BR1 = $0.0004938 (or $1 = BR2025) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Orthodox Christmas, 7 January; International Women’s Day, 8 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Victory Day, 9 May; Independence Day, 27 July; Day of Commemoration, 2 November; Christmas, 25 December. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

AUSTRIA

Republic of Austria Republik Österreich CAPITAL: Vienna (Wien) FLAG: The flag consists of a white horizontal stripe between two red stripes. ANTHEM: Land der Berge, Land am Ströme (Land of Mountains, Land on the River). MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the schilling as the national currency in 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in use. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; May Day, 1 May; Assumption, 15 August; National Day, 26 October; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December; St. Stephen’s Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Easter Monday, Ascension, Whitmonday, and Corpus Christi. In addition, there are provincial holidays. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

ARMENIA

Republic of Armenia Hayastani Hanrapetut ‘Yun CAPITAL: Yerevan FLAG: Three horizontal bands of red (top), blue and gold. ANTHEM: Mer Hayrenik. MONETARY UNIT: The dram (introduced 22 November 1993) is a paper currency in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 drams. The dram (D) replaced the Armenian ruble and the Russian ruble (R). Currently D1 =$0.0017 (or $1 = D591.00; as of May 2003) WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year, 1–2 January; Christmas, 6 January; Easter, 1–4 April; Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Genocide, 24 April; Peace Day, 9 May; Anniversary of Declaration of First Armenian Republic (1918), 28 May; Public Holiday, 21 September; Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Earthquake, 7 December, New Year, 31 December. TIME: 4 PM = noon GMT.

ANDORRA

Principality of Andorra Principat d’Andorra CAPITAL: Andorra la Vella FLAG: The national flag is a tricolor of blue, yellow, and red vertical stripes. The yellow stripe bears the coat of arms. ANTHEM: The Himne Andorra begins “El gran Carlemany mon pare” (“Great Charlemagne my father”). MONETARY UNIT: Andorra has no currency of its own; the euro, adopted by both Spain and France, is used. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. As of May 2003, €1 = $1.0977 (or $1 = €0.911). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system and some old local standards are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; National Festival, 8 September; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Easter Monday. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

ALBANIA

Republic of Albania Republika é Shqipërisë CAPITAL: Tiranë FLAG: The flag consists of a red background at the center of which is a black double-headed eagle. ANTHEM: Hymni i Flamúrit (Anthem of the Flag) begins “Rreth flamúrit të për bashkuar” (“The flag that united us in the struggle”). MONETARY UNIT: The lek (L) of 100 qindarka is a convertible paper currency. There are coins of 5, 10, 20, 50 qindarka, and 1 lek, and notes of 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 leks. L1 = $0.0079 (or $1 = L126.53) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Small Bayram, end of Ramadan, 16 December 2001*; International Women’s Day, 8 March; Catholic Easter, April**; Orthodox Easter, April**; Great Bayram, Feast of the Sacrifice, 6 March 2001*; Independence Day, 28 November; Christmas Day, 25 December. *Dependent on the Islamic lunar calendar and will vary from the dates given. ** Dependent on religious calendar, and also will vary. TIME: 1 PM = noon GMT.

YEMEN

Republic of Yemen Al-Jumhuriyah al-Yamaniyah CAPITAL: Sana (San‘a) FLAG: The national flag is a tricolor of red, white, and black horizontal stripes. ANTHEM: Al-Watani (Peace to the Land). MONETARY UNIT: The Yemeni riyal (YR) is a paper currency of 100 fils. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 fils and notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 riyals. YR1 = $0.00546 (or $1 = YR183.15) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is being introduced, but local measures remain in common use. HOLIDAYS: Labor Day, 1 May; Day of National Unity, 22 May; National Day, 14 October; Independence Day, 30 November. Movable Muslim holidays include Laylat al-Miraj, ‘Id al-Fitr, ‘Id al- ‘Adha’, Milad an-Nabi, and 1st of Muharram. TIME: 3 PM = noon GMT.

VIETNAM

Socialist Republic of Vietnam Cong Hoa Chu Nghia Viet Nam CAPITAL: Hanoi FLAG: The flag is red with a five-pointed gold star in the center. ANTHEM: Tien Quan Ça (Forward, Soldiers!). MONETARY UNIT: The dong (D) is a paper currency of 10 hao and 100 xu. There are coins of 1, 2, and 5 xu, and notes of 5 xu, 1, 2, and 5 hao, and 1, 2, 5, and 10 dong. D1 = $0.00007 (or $1 653= D 15,303) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some traditional measures are still used. HOLIDAYS: Liberation of Saigon, 30 April; May Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 2 September. Movable holidays include the Vietnamese New Year (Tet). TIME: 7 PM = noon GMT.

VANUATU

Republic of Vanuatu [French] République de Vanuatu [Bislama] Ripablik blong Vanuatu CAPITAL: Port-Vila FLAG: Red and green sections are divided horizontally by a gold stripe running within a black border and widening at the hoist into a black triangle on which is a pig’s tusk enclosing two crossed yellow mele leaves. ANTHEM: Yumi, Yumi, Yumi (We, We, We). MONETARY UNIT: As of 1 January 1981, the vatu (VT) replaced at par value the New Hebridean franc as the national currency. There are coins of 100 vatu and notes of 100, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 vatu. VT1 = $0.0078 (or $1 = VT126.97) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric standard is used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; May Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 30 July; Assumption, 15 August; Constitution Day, 5 October; National Unity Day, 29 November; Christmas Day, 25 December; Family Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Ascension. TIME: 11 PM = noon GMT.

UZBEKISTAN

Republic of Uzbekistan Uzbekiston Respublikasi CAPITAL: Tashkent (Toshkent) FLAG: Horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by narrow red bands; white crescent moon and twelve stars on the blue band. ANTHEM: The national anthem begins “Serquyosh hur o‘lkam,” (“My country, sunny and free,”). MONETARY UNIT: The som (SOM) is the official currency, introduced when Uzbekistan left the ruble zone in November 1993. SOM1 = $0.00103 (or $1 = SOM966.43) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is used. HOLIDAYS: Independence Day, 1 September. TIME: 5 PM = noon GMT.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

United Arab Emirates Al-Imarat al-‘Arabiyah al-Muttahidah CAPITAL: Abu Dhabi (Abu Zaby) FLAG: The flag consists of a red vertical stripe at the hoist and three equal horizontal stripes of green, white, and black. ANTHEM: The National Anthem is an instrumental piece without words. MONETARY UNIT: The United Arab Emirates dirham (UD), introduced as the currency in May 1973, is divided into 100 fils. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 fils and 1 and 5 dirham and notes of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 dirhams. UD1 = $0.27337 (or $1 = UD3.658) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system and imperial and local measures are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Accession of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi only), 6 August; National Day, 2 December; Christmas, 25 December. Muslim religious holidays include Lailat al-Miraj, ‘Id al-Fitr, ‘Id al-‘Adha’, Hijra New Year, and Milad an-Nabi. TIME: 4 PM = noon GMT.

TUVALU

CAPITAL: Funafuti FLAG: The national flag has the Union Jack in the upper quarter nearest the hoist; nine yellow stars on a light blue field are arranged in the same pattern as Tuvalu’s nine islands. ANTHEM: Tuvalu mo te Atua (Tuvalu for the Almighty). MONETARY UNIT: Both the Australian dollar (A$) and the Tuvaluan dollar (T$) of 100 cents are legal tender. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Tuvaluan cents; 1 and 5 Tuvaluan dollars; and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Australian dollars. T$1 = US$0.61728 (or US$1 = T$1.62) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is being introduced, but imperial measures are still commonly employed. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; National Children’s Day, first Monday in August; Tuvalu Day, 1 October; Christmas Day, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable holidays include Commonwealth Day (March), Queen’s Official Birthday (June), and Prince of Wales’s Birthday (November); movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Easter Monday. TIME: Midnight = noon GMT.

TURKMENISTAN

CAPITAL: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) FLAG: Green field with claret stripe of five carpet patterns; white crescent and five white stars symbolizing five major regions of Turkmenistan to the right of the stripe. In 1997, two crossed olive branches were added beneath the carpet patterns. ANTHEM: Independence Turkmenistan. MONETARY UNIT: Manat (MN), the unit of currency, was introduced by the government in November 1993. In January 2003, $1 = MN5,200, but exchange rates fluctuate widely. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Flag Day, 19 February; International Women’s Day, 8 March; Novruz Bairam (first day of spring), 21 March; Victory Day, 9 May; Revival and Unity Day, 18 May; Independence Day, 27 October; Neutrality Day, 12 December. TIME: 5 PM = noon GMT.

TURKEY

Republic of Turkey Türkiye Cumhuriyeti CAPITAL: Ankara FLAG: The national flag consists of a white crescent (open toward the fly) and a white star on a red field. ANTHEM: Istiklâl Mars¸i (March of Independence). MONETARY UNIT: The Turkish lira (TL) is a paper currency of 100 kurus¸. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100 liras, and notes of 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 250,000, and 500,000 liras. TL1 = $0.000000626 (or $1 = TL1,597,000.00) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, 23 April; Spring Day, 1 May; Youth and Sports Day, 19 May; Victory Day, 30 August; Independence Day (Anniversary of the Republic), 29 October. Movable religious holidays include S¸eker Bayrami (three days) and Kurban Bayrami (four days). TIME: 3 PM = noon GMT.

TONGA

Kingdom of Tonga Pule’anga Tonga CAPITAL: Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu FLAG: The flag, adopted in 1862, is crimson with a cross of the same color mounted in a white square in the upper left corner. ANTHEM: Koe Fasi Oe Tu’i Oe Otu Tonga (Tongan National Anthem) begins “‘E ‘Otua Mafimafi Ko homau ‘Eiki Koe” (“O Almighty God above, Thou art our Lord and sure defense”). MONETARY UNIT: The Tongan pa’anga (T$) of 100 seniti is a paper currency at par with the Australian dollar. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 seniti, and 1 and 2 Tongan pa’angas, and notes of ½, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pa’angas. T$1 = US$0.4926 (or US$1 = T$2.03; in March 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some imperial and local weights and measures also are employed. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; ANZAC Day, 25 April; Crown Prince’s Birthday, 4 May; Independence Day, 4 June; King’s Birthday, 4 July; Constitution Day, 4 November; Tupou I Day, 4 December; Christmas, 25–26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Easter Monday. TIME: 1 AM (the following day) = noon GMT.

THAILAND

Kingdom of Thailand Prates Thai CAPITAL: Bangkok (Krung Thep) FLAG: The national flag, adopted in 1917, consists of five horizontal stripes. The outermost are red (symbolizing the Thai people); those adjacent are white (symbolizing Buddhism); the blue center stripe (representing the monarchy) is twice as high as each of the other four. ANTHEM: There are three national anthems: Pleng Sansen Phra Barami (Anthem Eulogizing His Majesty); Pleng Chard Thai (Thai National Anthem); and Pleng Maha Chati (Anthem of Great Victory), an instrumental composition. MONETARY UNIT: The baht (B) is divided into 100 satang. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 stangs and 1, 5, and 10 baht, and notes of 50 satang and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 60, 100, and 500 baht. B1 = $0.0235 (or $1 = B42.58) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some traditional units also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Chakkri Day, 6 April; Songkran Day, mid-April; Coronation Day, 5 May; Queen’s Birthday, 12 August; Chulalongkorn Day, 23 October; King’s Birthday, 5 December; Constitution Day, 10 December. Movable holidays include Makabuja Day, Plowing Festival, and Visakabuja Day. TIME: 7 PM = noon GMT.

TAJIKISTAN

Republic of Tajikistan Jumhurii Tojikistan CAPITAL: Dushanbe FLAG: The flag consists of a broad white horizontal stripe in the center, with a red stripe at the top and a green stripe at the bottom. The national emblem is centered in the white stripe. ANTHEM: The flag consists of a broad white horizontal stripe in the center, with a red stripe at the top and a green stripe at the bottom. The national emblem is centered in the white stripe. MONETARY UNIT: The Tajik ruble (TR) was replaced by the somoni in October 2000. S1 = $0.3125 (or $1 = S3.20) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Navruz (“New Day”), 21 March; Independence Day, 9 September. TIME: 6 PM = noon GMT.

TAIWAN

Republic of China Chung Hwa Min Kuo CAPITAL: T’aipei FLAG: The flag is red with a 12-pointed white sun on the blue upper left quadrant. The 12 points of the sun represent the 12 two-hour periods of the day in Chinese tradition, and symbolize progress. The colors red, white, and blue represent the Three Principles of the people (San Min Chu I) of Sun Yat-sen, father of the Republic of China, and symbolize the spirit of liberty, fraternity, and equality. ANTHEM: Chung Hwa Min Kuo Kuo Ke (Chinese National Anthem). MONETARY UNIT: The new Taiwan dollar (NT$) is a paper currency of 100 cents. There are coins of 50 cents and 1, 5, and 10 dollars, and notes of 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 new Taiwan dollars. NT$1 = US$0.0289 (or US$1 = NT$34.60) as of 2002. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is employed in government and industrial statistics. Commonly used standards of weights and measures are the catty (1.1 lb or 0.4989 kilograms), the li (0.5 kilometers or 0.31 miles), the ch’ih (0.33 meters or 1.09 feet), and the chia (0.97 hectare or 2.39 acres). HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day and the Founding of the Republic of China (1912), 1 January; Youth Day (formerly known as Martyrs’ Day), 29 March; Tomb-Sweeping Day and Anniversary of the Death of Chiang Kai-shek, 5 April; Birthday of Confucius and Teachers’ Day, 28 September; National Day (Double Tenth Day), 10 October; Taiwan Retrocession Day, 25 October; Chiang Kai-shek’s Birthday, 31 October; Sun Yat-sen’s Birthday, 12 November; Constitution Day, 25 December. TIME: 8 PM = noon GMT.

SYRIA

Syrian Arab Republic Al-Jumhuriyah al-‘Arabiyah as-Suriyah CAPITAL: Damascus (Dimashq) FLAG: The national flag is a horizontal tricolor of red, white, and black stripes; in the white center stripe are two green five-pointed stars. ANTHEM: An-Nashid as-Suri (The Syrian National Anthem) begins “Protectors of the nation, peace be upon you.” MONETARY UNIT: The Syrian pound (S£) is a paper currency of 100 piasters. There are coins of 25 and 50 piasters and 1 Syrian pound and notes of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 Syrian pounds. S£1 = $0.0194 (or $1 = S£51.50) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but local units are widely used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Revolution Day, 8 March; Egypt’s Revolution Day, 23 July; Union of Arab Republics Day, 1 September; National Day, 16 November. Muslim religious holidays include ‘Id al-Fitr, ‘Id al-‘Adha’, Milad an-Nabi, and Laylat al-Miraj. Christian religious holidays include Easter (Catholic); Easter (Orthodox); and Christmas, 25 December. TIME: 2 PM = noon GMT.

SRILANKA

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Prajathanthrika Samajavadi Janarajaya CAPITAL: Colombo FLAG: The national flag contains, at the hoist, vertical stripes of green and saffron (orange-yellow) and, to the right, a maroon rectangle with yellow bo leaves in the corners and a yellow lion symbol in the center. The entire flag is bordered in yellow, and a narrow yellow vertical area separates the saffron stripe from the dark maroon rectangle. ANTHEM: Sri Lanka Matha (Mother Sri Lanka). MONETARY UNIT: The Sri Lanka rupee (R) of 100 cents is a paper currency with one official rate. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents and 1 and 2 rupees, and notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 rupees. R1 = $0.0103 (or $1 = R96.34; as of April 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the national standard, but British weights and measures and some local units also are used. HOLIDAYS: Independence Commemoration Day, 4 February; May Day, 1 May; National Heroes Day, 22 May; Bank Holiday, 30 June; Christmas Day, 25 December; Bank Holiday, 31 December. Movable holidays include Maha Sivarathri Day, Milad-an-Nabi, Good Friday, ‘Id al-Fitr, Dewali, and ‘Id al- ‘Adha’; in addition, the day of the rise of the full moon of every month of the Buddhist calendar, called a Poya day, is a public holiday. TIME: 5:30 PM = noon GMT.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

CAPITAL: Honiara FLAG: The flag consists of two triangles, the upper one blue, the lower one green, separated by a diagonal gold stripe; on the blue triangle are five white five-pointed stars. ANTHEM: God Save the Queen. MONETARY UNIT: The Solomon Islands dollar (SI$), a paper currency of 100 cents, was introduced in 1977, replacing the Australian dollar, and became the sole legal tender in 1978. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 dollars. SI$1 = US$0.14306 (or US$1 = SI$6.99) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Queen’s Birthday, celebrated as a movable holiday in June; Independence Day, 7 July; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Whitmonday. TIME: 11 PM = noon GMT.

SINGAPORE

Republic of Singapore CAPITAL: Singapore FLAG: The flag consists of a red stripe at the top and a white stripe on the bottom. On the red stripe, at the hoist, are a white crescent opening to the fly and five white stars. ANTHEM: Long Live Singapore. MONETARY UNIT: The Singapore dollar (S$) of 100 cents is a freely convertible currency. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 dollar and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 10,000 dollars. S$1 = US$0.5617 (or US$1 = S$1.78) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is in force, but some local measures are used. HOLIDAYS: Major Western, Chinese, Malay, and Muslim holidays are celebrated, some of which fall on annually variable dates because of the calendars used. Major holidays include New Year’s Day, 1 January; Chinese New Year; Good Friday; Vesak Day (Buddhist festival); Labor Day, 1 May; Hari Raya Puasa (Muslim festival); National Day, 9 August; Hari Raya Haji (Malay Muslim festival); Dewali; Christmas, 25 December. TIME: 8 PM = noon GMT.

SA'UDI ARABIA

Kingdom of Sa‘udi Arabia Al-Mamlakah al-‘Arabiyah as-Sa‘udiyah CAPITAL: Riyadh (Ar-Riyad) FLAG: The national flag bears in white on a green field the inscription, in Arabic, “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.” There is a long white sword beneath the inscription; the sword handle is toward the fly. ANTHEM: The National Anthem is a short instrumental selection. MONETARY UNIT: The Sa‘udi riyal (SR) is divided into 20 qursh (piasters), in turn divided into 5 halalah. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 halalah and notes of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals. SR1 = $0.2666 (or $1 = SR3.75) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system has been officially adopted. HOLIDAYS: Muslim religious holidays include 1st of Muharram (Muslim New Year), ‘Id al-Fitr, and ‘Id al-‘Adha’. TIME: 3 PM = noon GMT.

SAMOA

Independent State of Samoa Malo Sa‘oloto Tuto‘atasi o Samoa i Sisifo CAPITAL: Apia FLAG: The upper left quarter of the flag is blue and bears five white, five-rayed stars representing the Southern Cross; the remainder of the flag is red. ANTHEM: The Flag of Freedom. MONETARY UNIT: The Samoan tala (S) is a paper currency of 100 sene. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 sene and 1 tala, and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, and 100 talas. S1 = US$0.3333 (or US$1 = S3.00) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: British weights and measures are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s, 1–2 January; Independence Holidays (first three workdays of June), Anzac Day, 25 April; Christmas Day, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays are Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Whitmonday. TIME: 1 AM = noon GMT.

QATAR

State of Qatar Dawlat Qatar CAPITAL: Doha (Ad-Dawhah) FLAG: Maroon with white serrated border at the hoist. ANTHEM: Qatar National Anthem. MONETARY UNIT: The Qatar riyal (QR) of 100 dirhams was introduced on 13 May 1973. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 dirhams, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals. QR1 = $0.2747 (or $1 = QR3.64) as of January 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, although some British measures are still in use. HOLIDAYS: Emir’s Succession Day, 22 February; Independence Day, 3 September. Muslim religious holidays include ‘Id al-Fitr, ‘Id al-‘Adha’, and Milad an-Nabi. TIME: 3 PM = noon GMT.

PHILIPPINES

Republic of the Philippines Republika ng Pilipinas CAPITAL: Manila FLAG: The national flag consists of a white equilateral triangle at the hoist, with a blue stripe extending from its upper side and a red stripe extending from its lower side. Inside each angle of the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star, and in its center is a yellow sun with eight rays. ANTHEM: Bayang Magiliw (Nation Beloved). MONETARY UNIT: The peso (P) is divided into 100 centavos. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos and 1 and 2 pesos, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 pesos. P1 = $0.0191 (or $1 = P52.30;as of May 2003). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some local measures also are used. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Freedom Day, 25 February; Labor Day, 1 May; Heroes’ Day, 6 May; Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June; Thanksgiving, 21 September; All Saints’ Day, 1 November; Bonifacio Day, 30 November; Christmas, 25 December; Rizal Day, 30 December; Last Day of the Year, 31 December. Movable religious holidays include Holy Thursday and Good Friday. TIME: 8 PM = noon GMT.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Independent State of Papua New Guinea CAPITAL: Port Moresby FLAG: The flag is a rectangle, divided diagonally. The upper segment is scarlet with a yellow bird of paradise; the lower segment is black with five white stars representing the Southern Cross. ANTHEM: O, Arise All You Sons. MONETARY UNIT: The kina (K) of 100 toea is linked with the Australian dollar. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 toea and 1 kina, and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 kina. K1=US$0.2881 (or US$1=K3.47) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Queen’s Birthday, 1st Monday in June; Remembrance Day, 23 July; Independence Day, 16 September; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Easter Monday. TIME: 10 PM=noon GMT.

PALAU

Republic of Palau Belau CAPITAL: Koror, Koror Island FLAG: The flag, adopted 1 January 1981, is light blue, with a yellow disc set slightly off center toward the hoist. ANTHEM: Belau er Kid. MONETARY UNIT: The US dollar is the official medium of exchange. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: British units are used, as modified by US usage. HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Youth Day, 15 March; Senior Citizens Day, 5 May; Constitution Day, 9 July; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; United Nations Day, 24 October; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas, 25 December. TIME: 8 PM = noon GMT.

PAKISTAN

Islamic Republic of Pakistan Islami Jamhooria Pakistan CAPITAL: Isla¯ma¯ba¯d FLAG: The national flag is dark green, with a white vertical stripe at the hoist and a white crescent and five-pointed star in the center. ANTHEM: The opening lines of the national anthem, sung in Urdu, are “Blessed be the sacred land, Happy be the bounteous realm, Symbol of high resolve, land of Pakistan, Blessed be thou citadel of faith.” MONETARY UNIT: The rupee (R) is a paper currency of 100 paisa. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 paisa and of 1 rupee, and notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 rupees. R1 = $0.0175 (or $1 = R56.90) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system was introduced in 1966 and made mandatory as of 1 January 1979. HOLIDAYS: Pakistan Day, 23 March; May Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 14 August; Defense of Pakistan Day, 6 September; Anniversary of Death of the Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, 11 September; Christmas and Birthday of the Quaid-e-Azam, 25 December. Religious holidays include ‘Id al-Fitr, Id al-‘Adha’, 1st of Muharram, and Milad an-Nabi. TIME: 5 PM = noon GMT.