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.