VENEZUELA

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

URUGUAY

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

UNITED STATES

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

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

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

SURINAME

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

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

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

ST. LUCIA

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

ST. KITTS AND LEVIS

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

PERU

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

PARAGUAY

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

PANAMA

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

NICARAGUA

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

MEXICO

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

JAMAICA

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

HONDURAS

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

HAITI

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

GUYANA

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

GUATEMALA

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

GRENADA

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

EL SALVADOR

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

ECUADOR

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

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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

DOMINICA

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

CUBA

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

COSTA RICA

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

COLOMBIA

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

CHILE

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

CANADA

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

BRAZIL

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

BOLIVIA

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

BELIZE

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

THE BAHAMAS

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

ARGENTINA

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

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

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