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....

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...

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:...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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:...

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)...

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...

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,...

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:...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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:...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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....

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)...

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,...

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...

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:...

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...

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...

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:...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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....

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,...

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$)...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...