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...