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Sweden chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: Fredrik REINFELDT elected prime minister with 175 out of 349 votes
Switzerland chief of state: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2008); Vice President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government representing the Federal Council; the Federal Council is the formal chief of state and head of government whose council members, rotating in one-year terms as federal president, represent the Council head of government: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2008); Vice President Hans-Rudolf MERZ (since 1 January 2008) cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 12 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2008) election results: Pascal COUCHEPIN elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 80.0%; Hans-Rudolf MERZ elected vice president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 86.5%
Syria chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 11 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003); Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdallah al-DARDARI (since 14 June 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits); referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers election results: Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6%
Taiwan chief of state: President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President Vincent SIEW (since 20 May 2008) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) LIO Chao-shiuan (since 20 May 2008); Vice Premier (Vice President of Executive Yuan) Paul CHIU (CHANG-hsiung) (since 20 May 2008) cabinet: Executive Yuan - (ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: MA Ying-jeou elected president on 22 March 2008; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 58.45%, Frank HSIEH 41.55%; MA Ying-jeou takes office on 20 May 2008
Tajikistan chief of state: President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON 79.3%, Olimzon BOBOYEV 6.2%, other 14.5%
Tanzania chief of state: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001) note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was reelected to that office on 30 October 2005 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 14 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2010); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Jakaya KIKWETE elected president; percent of vote - Jakaya KIKWETE 80.3%, Ibrahim LIPUMBA 11.7%, Freeman MBOWE 5.9%
Thailand chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet or (BHUMIBOL Adulyadej) (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister OLARN Cahipravat (since 24 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SOMPONG Amornwiwat (since 24 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections: monarch is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, prime minister is designated from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, leader of party that could organize a majority coalition usually was appointed prime minister by king; prime minister is limited to two 4-year terms
Timor-Leste chief of state: President Jose RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2007); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007), note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis GUTERRES (since 8 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 April 2007 with run-off on 8 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012); following elections, president appoints leader of majority party or majority coalition as prime minister election results: Jose RAMOS-HORTA elected president; percent of vote - Jose RAMOS-HORTA 69.2%, Francisco GUTTERES 30.8%
Togo chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, with the support of the military following international condemnation for the unconstitutional move he then stepped aside pending elections, and Abass BONFOH served as interim president; Faure GNASSINGBE later won popular elections in April 2005 head of government: Prime Minister Gilbert HOUNGBO (since 7 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held by 2010); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas LAWSON 1%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.5%
Tokelau chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); New Zealand is represented by Administrator David PAYTON (since 17 October 2006) head of government: Pio TUIA (since 23 February 2008); note - position rotates annually among the three Faipule (village leaders) cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term
Tonga chief of state: King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Feleti SEVELE (since 11 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Viliami TANGI (since 16 May 2006) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 14 members, 10 appointed by the monarch for life; four appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly, including two each from the nobles' and peoples' representatives serving three-year terms note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the cabinet, and two governors elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch
Trinidad and Tobago chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24 December 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA
Tunisia chief of state: President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 24 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a fourth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 94.5%, Mohamed BOUCHIHA 3.8%, Mohamed Ali HALOUANI 1%
Turkey chief of state: President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Cemil CICEK (since 29 August 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Hayati YAZICI (since 29 August 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Nazim EKREN (since 29 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister elections: president elected by the National Assembly for one seven-year terms; prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament election results: Abdullah GUL received 339 votes in the third round of voting on 28 August 2007, after failing to garner the two thirds vote required by law in the first two rounds note: president-elect must have a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly on the first two ballots and a simple majority on the third ballot
Turkmenistan chief of state: President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 11 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW elected president; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW 89.2%, Amanyaz ATAJYKOW 3.2%, other candidates 7.6%
Turks and Caicos Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008) head of government: Premier Michael Eugene MISICK (chief minister since 15 August 2003, sworn in as premier on 9 August 2006); note - the office of premier was created in the 2006 constitution cabinet: Cabinet consists of the governor, the premier, six ministers appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly, and the attorney general elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor
Tuvalu chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Apisai IELEMIA (since 14 August 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 14 August 2006 (next to be held following parliamentary elections in 2010) election results: Apisai IELEMIA elected Prime Minister in a Parliamentary election on 14 August 2006
Uganda chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); Prime Minister Apolo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 59.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 37.4%, other 3.3%
Ukraine chief of state: President Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since 23 January 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (since 18 December 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr TURCHYNOV (since 18 December 2007); Deputy Prime Ministers Hryhoriy NEMYRYA and Ivan VASYUNYK (since 18 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers selected by the prime minister; the only exceptions are the foreign and defense ministers, who are chosen by the president note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a Presidential Secretariat helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - a special repeat runoff presidential election between Viktor YUSHCHENKO and Viktor YANUKOVYCH took place on 26 December 2004 after the earlier 21 November 2004 contest - won by YANUKOVYCH - was invalidated by the Ukrainian Supreme Court because of widespread and significant violations; under constitutional reforms that went into effect 1 January 2006, the majority in parliament takes the lead in naming the prime minister election results: Viktor YUSHCHENKO elected president; percent of vote - Viktor YUSHCHENKO 52%, Viktor YANUKOVYCH 44.2%
United Arab Emirates chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SULTAN bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) and HAMDAN bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next to be held in 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum unanimously affirmed vice president after the 2006 death of his brother Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid Al-Maktum
United Kingdom chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister James Gordon BROWN (since 27 June 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister
United States chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held on 6 November 2012) election results: Barack H. OBAMA elected president; percent of popular vote - Barack H. OBAMA 52.4%, John MCCAIN 46.3%, other 1.3%; note - OBAMA is expected to assume office on 20 January 2009
Uruguay chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009) election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING 10.3%; other 4.1%
Uzbekistan chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 23 December 2007 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Aslidden RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom TASHMUKHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6%
Vanuatu chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16 August 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 22 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 22 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next to be held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012) election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49 votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004
Venezuela chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2012) note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 62.9%, Manuel ROSALES 36.9%
Vietnam chief of state: President Nguyen Minh TRIET (since 27 June 2006); Vice President Nguyen Thi DOAN (since 25 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June 2006); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh HUNG (since 28 June 2006), Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung HAI (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien NHAN (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia KHIEM (since 28 June 2006), and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh TRONG (since 28 June 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime minister and confirmed by National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last held 27 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly election results: Nguyen Minh TRIET elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 94%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 92%
Virgin Islands chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: NA elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010) election results: John DeJONGH elected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%
Wallis and Futuna chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Administrator Philippe PAOLANTONI (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione KANIMOA (since January 2001) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly
Western Sahara none
Yemen chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad MUJAWWAR (since 31 March 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 20 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2013); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 77.2%, Faysal BIN SHAMLAN 21.8%
Zambia chief of state: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008); note - President BANDA was acting president since the illness and eventual death of President Levy MWANAWASA on 18 August 2008, he was then elected president on 30 October 2008 to serve out the remainder of MWANAWASA's term; the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 October 2008 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president; note - due to the untimely death of former President Levy MWANAWASA, early elections were held to identify a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term election results: Rupiah BANDA elected president; percent of vote - Rupiah BANDA 40.1%, Michael SATA 38.1%, Hakainde HICHILEMA 19.7%, Godfrey MIYANDA 0.8%, other 1.3%
Zimbabwe chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Vice President Joseph MSIKA (since December 1999) and Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Vice President Joseph MSIKA (since December 1999) and Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); elections last held 28 March 2008 followed by a run-off on 27 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 85.5%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 9.3%, other 5.2%; note - first round voting results - Morgan TSVANGIRAI 47.9%, Robert Gabriel MUGABE 43.2%, Simba MAKONI 8.3%, other 0.6%; first-round round polls were deemed to be flawed suppressing TSVANGIRAI's results; the 27 June 2008 run-off between MUGABE and TSVANGIRAI were severely flawed and internationally condemned
This page was last updated on 18 December 2008
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@2078 Exports
Afghanistan $274 million; note - not including illicit exports or reexports (2006)
Albania $1.076 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Algeria $60.51 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
American Samoa $445.6 million (FY04 est.)
Andorra $148.7 million f.o.b. (2005)
Angola $45.03 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Anguilla $13 million (2006)
Antigua and Barbuda $84.3 million (2007 est.)
Argentina $55.78 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Armenia $1.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Aruba $124 million f.o.b.; note - includes oil reexports (2006)
Australia $142.1 billion (2007 est.)
Austria $162.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Azerbaijan $21.27 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Bahamas, The $674 million (2006)
Bahrain $13.79 billion (2007 est.)
Bangladesh $12.45 billion (2007 est.)
Barbados $385 million (2006)
Belarus $24.47 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Belgium $322.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Belize $429 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Benin $586 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Bermuda $763 million (2006)
Bhutan $350 million f.o.b. (2006)
Bolivia $4.49 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina $4.243 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Botswana $5.025 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Brazil $160.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
British Virgin Islands $25.3 million (2002)
Brunei $6.767 billion f.o.b. (2006)
Bulgaria $18.44 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Burkina Faso $617 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Burma $6.122 billion f.o.b. note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh (2007 est.)
Burundi $44 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Cambodia $4.089 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Cameroon $3.827 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Canada $431.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Cape Verde $76.5 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Cayman Islands $2.52 million (2004)
Central African Republic $146.7 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Chad $4.201 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Chile $67.64 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
China $1.22 trillion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Christmas Island $NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA
Colombia $30.58 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Comoros $32 million f.o.b. (2006)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the $1.587 billion f.o.b. (2006)
Congo, Republic of the $5.8 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Cook Islands $5.222 million (2005)
Costa Rica $9.268 billion (2007 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire $8.476 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Croatia $12.62 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Cuba $3.734 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Cyprus $1.495 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Czech Republic $122.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Denmark $101.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Djibouti $340 million f.o.b. (2006)
Dominica $94 million f.o.b. (2006)
Dominican Republic $7.237 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Ecuador $14.37 billion (2007 est.)
Egypt $24.45 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
El Salvador $4.035 billion (2007 est.)
Equatorial Guinea $9.904 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Eritrea $12 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Estonia $11.08 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Ethiopia $1.288 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
European Union $1.33 trillion; note - external exports, excluding intra-EU trade (2005)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $125 million (2004 est.)
Faroe Islands $634 million f.o.b. (2006)
Fiji $1.202 billion f.o.b. (2006)
Finland $89.91 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
France $546 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
French Polynesia $211 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Gabon $6.956 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Gambia, The $88 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Gaza Strip $301 million f.o.b.; (includes West Bank) (2005)
Georgia $2.104 billion (2007 est.)
Germany $1.354 trillion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Ghana $4.162 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Gibraltar $271 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Greece $23.91 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Greenland $480 million f.o.b. (2006)
Grenada $38 million (2006)
Guam $45 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Guatemala $6.94 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Guernsey $NA
Guinea $1.128 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Guinea-Bissau $133 million f.o.b. (2006)
Guyana $683 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Haiti $522 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Honduras $5.594 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Hong Kong $345.9 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2007 est.)
Hungary $87.77 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Iceland $4.793 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
India $151.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Indonesia $118 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Iran $88.26 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Iraq $38.14 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Ireland $115.5 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Isle of Man $NA
Israel $50.37 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Italy $502.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Jamaica $2.331 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Japan $678.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Jersey $NA
Jordan $5.7 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Kazakhstan $48.35 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Kenya $4.127 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Kiribati $17 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Korea, North $1.466 billion f.o.b. (2006)
Korea, South $379 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Kosovo $148.4 million (2007)
Kuwait $63.72 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Kyrgyzstan $1.337 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Laos $970 million (2007 est.)
Latvia $8.143 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Lebanon $4.077 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Lesotho $853 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Liberia $1.197 billion f.o.b. (2006)
Libya $42.97 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Liechtenstein $2.47 billion (1996)
Lithuania $17.18 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Luxembourg $18.42 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Macau $2.557 billion f.o.b.; note - includes reexports (2006)
Macedonia $3.35 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Madagascar $986 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Malawi $604 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Malaysia $176.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Maldives $167 million f.o.b. (2006)
Mali $294 million f.o.b. (2006)
Malta $3.238 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Marshall Islands $9.1 million f.o.b. (2000)
Mauritania $1.395 billion f.o.b. (2006)
Mauritius $2.231 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Mayotte $6.5 million f.o.b. (2005)
Mexico $271.9 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Micronesia, Federated States of $14 million (f.o.b.) (2004 est.)
Moldova $1.361 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Monaco $716.3 million note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France (2005)
Mongolia $1.889 billion f.o.b. (2007)
Montenegro $171.3 million (2003)
Montserrat $700,000 (2001)
Morocco $12.75 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Mozambique $2.412 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Namibia $2.919 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Nauru $64,000 f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Nepal $830 million f.o.b.; note - does not include unrecorded border trade with India (2006)
Netherlands $456.8 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Netherlands Antilles $3.71 billion f.o.b. (2006)
New Caledonia $1.341 billion f.o.b. (2006)
New Zealand $27.35 billion (2007 est.)
Nicaragua $2.313 billion f.o.b.; note - includes free trade zones (2007 est.)
Niger $428 million f.o.b. (2006)
Nigeria $61.79 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Niue $201,400 (2004)
Norfolk Island $1.5 million f.o.b. (FY91/92)
Northern Mariana Islands $NA
Norway $140.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Oman $23.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Pakistan $18.12 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Palau $5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Panama $9.312 billion f.o.b.; note - includes the Colon Free Zone (2007 est.)
Papua New Guinea $4.686 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Paraguay $5.463 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Peru $27.96 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Philippines $49.32 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Pitcairn Islands $NA
Poland $144.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Portugal $51.5 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Puerto Rico $46.9 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Qatar $42.02 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Romania $40.32 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Russia $355.5 billion (2007 est.)
Rwanda $184 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Saint Helena $19 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Saint Kitts and Nevis $84 million (2006)
Saint Lucia $288 million (2006)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon $5.5 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $193 million (2006)
Samoa $131 million f.o.b. (2006)
San Marino $1.291 billion (2004)
Sao Tome and Principe $9 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Saudi Arabia $226.7 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Senegal $1.65 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Serbia $8.824 billion (2007 est.)
Seychelles $395 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Sierra Leone $216 million f.o.b. (2006)
Singapore $302.7 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Slovakia $57.53 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Slovenia $27.06 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Solomon Islands $237 million f.o.b. (2006)
Somalia $300 million f.o.b. (2006)
South Africa $76.19 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Spain $256.7 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Sri Lanka $8.135 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Sudan $8.879 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Suriname $1.391 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Svalbard $197.6 million (2004)
Swaziland $1.926 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Sweden $170.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Switzerland $200.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Syria $11.14 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Taiwan $246.5 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Tajikistan $1.606 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Tanzania $2.227 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Thailand $151.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Timor-Leste $10 million; note - excludes oil (2005 est.)
Togo $702 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Tokelau $0 (2002)
Tonga $22 million f.o.b. (2006)
Trinidad and Tobago $13.39 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Tunisia $15.15 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Turkey $115.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Turkmenistan $7.567 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands $169.2 million (2000)
Tuvalu $1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Uganda $1.686 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Ukraine $49.84 billion (2007 est.)
United Arab Emirates $178.9 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
United Kingdom $442.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
United States $1.148 trillion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Uruguay $5.063 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Uzbekistan $8.05 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Vanuatu $40 million f.o.b. (2006)
Venezuela $69.17 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Vietnam $48.56 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Virgin Islands $4.234 billion (2001)
Wallis and Futuna $47,450 f.o.b. (2004)
West Bank $301 million f.o.b.; (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Western Sahara $NA
World $13.89 trillion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Yemen $7.311 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Zambia $4.594 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Zimbabwe $1.52 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
This page was last updated on 18 December 2008
======================================================================
@2079 Debt - external
Afghanistan $8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia; Afghanistan has $500 million in debt to Multilateral Development Banks (2004)
Albania $1.55 billion (2004)
Algeria $3.957 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
American Samoa $NA
Andorra $NA
Angola $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Anguilla $8.8 million (1998)
Antigua and Barbuda $359.8 million (June 2006)
Argentina $135.8 billion (31 December 2007)
Armenia $1.372 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Aruba $478.6 million (2005 est.)
Australia $826.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Austria $752.5 billion (30 June 2007)
Azerbaijan $2.439 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Bahamas, The $342.6 million (2004 est.)
Bahrain $7.858 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Bangladesh $21.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Barbados $668 million (2003)
Belarus $7.347 billion (31 December 2007)
Belgium $1.313 trillion (30 June 2007)
Belize $1.2 billion (June 2005 est.)
Benin $1.2 billion (2007)
Bermuda $160 million (FY99/00)
Bhutan $713.3 million (2006)
Bolivia $4.495 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina $6.734 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Botswana $408 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Brazil $229.4 billion (31 December 2007)
British Virgin Islands $36.1 million (1997)
Brunei $0 (2005)
Bulgaria $34.88 billion (30 June 2007)
Burkina Faso $1.33 billion (2007)
Burma $7.022 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Burundi $1.2 billion (2003)
Cambodia $3.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Cameroon $2.554 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Canada $758.6 billion (30 June 2007)
Cape Verde $325 million (2002)
Cayman Islands $70 million (1996)
Central African Republic $1.153 billion (2007 est.)
Chad $1.6 billion (2005 est.)
Chile $57.6 billion (31 December 2007)
China $363 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Colombia $41.39 billion (30 June 2007)
Comoros $232 million (2000 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the $10 billion (2006 est.)
Congo, Republic of the $5 billion (2000 est.)
Cook Islands $141 million (1996 est.)
Costa Rica $7.416 billion (30 June 2007)
Cote d'Ivoire $13.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Croatia $46.3 billion (30 June 2007)
Cuba $16.79 billion (convertible currency); another $15-20 billion owed to Russia (31 December 2007 est.)
Cyprus $26.97 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Czech Republic $74.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Denmark $492.6 billion (30 June 2007)
Djibouti $428 million (2006)
Dominica $213 million (2004)
Dominican Republic $10.21 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Ecuador $17.12 billion (31 December 2007)
Egypt $29.2 billion (30 June 2007)
El Salvador $9.574 billion (December 2007)
Equatorial Guinea $338 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Eritrea $311 million (2000 est.)
Estonia $24.82 billion (30 June 2007)
Ethiopia $2.621 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $NA
Faroe Islands $64 million (1999)
Fiji $127 million (2004 est.)
Finland $271.2 billion (30 June 2007)
France $4.396 trillion (30 June 2007)
French Polynesia $NA
Gabon $4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Gambia, The $628.8 million (2003 est.)
Gaza Strip $NA
Georgia $4.5 billion (2007)
Germany $4.489 trillion (30 June 2007)
Ghana $4.891 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Gibraltar $NA
Greece $86.72 billion (31 December 2007)
Greenland $25 million (1999)
Grenada $347 million (2004)
Guam $NA
Guatemala $5.908 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Guernsey $NA
Guinea $3.351 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Guinea-Bissau $941.5 million (2000 est.)
Guyana $1.2 billion (2002)
Haiti $1.475 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Honduras $3.411 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Hong Kong $588 billion (2007 est.)
Hungary $125.9 billion (31 December 2007)
Iceland $3.073 billion (2002)
India $149.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Indonesia $140 billion (31 December 2007)
Iran $20.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Iraq $100.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Ireland $1.841 trillion (30 June 2007)
Isle of Man $NA
Israel $89.95 billion (31 December 2007)
Italy $996.3 billion (31 December 2007)
Jamaica $9.657 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Japan $1.492 trillion (30 June 2007)
Jersey $NA
Jordan $8.133 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Kazakhstan $96.36 billion (31 December 2007)
Kenya $6.713 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Kiribati $10 million (1999 est.)
Korea, North $12.5 billion (2001 est.)
Korea, South $220.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Kosovo according to the national bank of Serbia, Kosovo's external debt was around $1.2 billion; Kosovo was willing to accept around $900 million (2007)
Kuwait $33.62 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Kyrgyzstan $2.966 billion (30 June 2007)
Laos $3.179 billion (2006)
Latvia $33.53 billion (31 December 2007)
Lebanon $31.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Lesotho $689 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Liberia $3.2 billion (2005 est.)
Libya $4.837 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Liechtenstein $0 (2001)
Lithuania $27.19 billion (31 December 2007)
Luxembourg $NA
Macau $0 (2006)
Macedonia $3.967 billion (31 December 2007)
Madagascar $4.6 billion (2002)
Malawi $894 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Malaysia $53.09 billion (31 December 2007)
Maldives $482 million (2006 est.)
Mali $2.8 billion (2002)
Malta $188.8 million (2005)
Marshall Islands $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
Mauritania NA
Mauritius $2.149 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Mayotte $NA
Mexico $179.8 billion (31 December 2007)
Micronesia, Federated States of $60.8 million (FY05 est.)
Moldova $3.3 billion (31 December 2007)
Monaco $18 billion (2000 est.)
Mongolia $1.438 billion (2007)
Montenegro $650 million (2006)
Montserrat $8.9 million (1997)
Morocco $19.91 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Mozambique $4.189 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Namibia $1.003 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Nauru $33.3 million (2002)
Nepal $3.07 billion (March 2006)
Netherlands $2.277 trillion (30 June 2007)
Netherlands Antilles $2.68 billion (2004)
New Caledonia $79 million (1998 est.)
New Zealand $51.44 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Nicaragua $3.341 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Niger $2.1 billion (2003 est.)
Nigeria $8.007 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Niue $418,000 (2002 est.)
Norfolk Island $NA
Northern Mariana Islands $NA
Norway $469.1 billion; note - Norway is a net external creditor (30 June 2007)
Oman $5.297 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Pakistan $38.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Palau $0 (FY99/00)
Panama $10.45 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Papua New Guinea $1.646 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Paraguay $3.492 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Peru $32.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Philippines $61.78 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Poland $169.8 billion (31 December 2007)
Portugal $461.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Puerto Rico $NA
Qatar $33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Romania $74.54 billion (31 December 2007)
Russia $356.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Rwanda $1.4 billion (2004 est.)
Saint Helena $NA
Saint Kitts and Nevis $314 million (2004)
Saint Lucia $257 million (2004)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon $NA
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $223 million (2004)
Samoa $177 million (2004)
San Marino $NA
Sao Tome and Principe $318 million (2002)
Saudi Arabia $58.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Senegal $2.19 billion (31 December 2007)
Serbia $26.24 billion (includes debt for Montenegro and Kosovo) (2007 est.)
Seychelles $1.059 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Sierra Leone $1.61 billion (2003 est.)
Singapore $25.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Slovakia $36.63 billion (31 December 2007)
Slovenia $40.42 billion (30 June 2007)
Solomon Islands $166 million (2004)
Somalia $3 billion (2001 est.)
South Africa $39.78 billion (31 December 2007)
Spain $1.084 trillion (30 June 2007 est.)
Sri Lanka $12.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Sudan $29.42 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Suriname $504.3 million (2005 est.)
Swaziland $524 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Sweden $598.2 billion (30 June 2006)
Switzerland $1.34 trillion (30 June 2007)
Syria $6.633 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Taiwan $97.85 billion (31 December 2007)
Tajikistan $1.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Tanzania $4.382 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Thailand $59.52 billion (31 December 2007)
Togo $2 billion (2005)
Tonga $80.7 million (2004)
Trinidad and Tobago $2.869 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Tunisia $19.27 billion (December 2007)
Turkey $247.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Turkmenistan $1.4 billion to $5 billion (2004 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands $NA
Tuvalu $NA
Uganda $1.498 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Ukraine $69.04 billion (31 December 2007)
United Arab Emirates $61.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
United Kingdom $10.45 trillion (30 June 2007)
United States $12.25 trillion (30 June 2007)
Uruguay $11.42 billion (31 December 2007)
Uzbekistan $3.927 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Vanuatu $81.2 million (2004)
Venezuela $43.33 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Vietnam $21.83 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Virgin Islands $NA
Wallis and Futuna $3.67 million (2004)
West Bank $NA
Western Sahara $NA
World $51.78 trillion note: this figure is the sum total of all countries' external debt, both public and private (2004 est.)
Yemen $6.044 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Zambia $2.596 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Zimbabwe $5.155 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
This page was last updated on 18 December 2008
======================================================================
@2080 Fiscal year
Afghanistan 21 March - 20 March
Albania calendar year
Algeria calendar year
American Samoa 1 October - 30 September
Andorra calendar year
Angola calendar year
Anguilla 1 April - 31 March
Antigua and Barbuda 1 April - 31 March
Argentina calendar year
Armenia calendar year
Aruba calendar year
Australia 1 July - 30 June
Austria calendar year
Azerbaijan calendar year
Bahamas, The 1 July - 30 June
Bahrain calendar year
Bangladesh 1 July - 30 June
Barbados 1 April - 31 March
Belarus calendar year
Belgium calendar year
Belize 1 April - 31 March
Benin calendar year
Bermuda 1 April - 31 March
Bhutan 1 July - 30 June
Bolivia calendar year
Bosnia and Herzegovina calendar year
Botswana 1 April - 31 March
Brazil calendar year
British Virgin Islands 1 April - 31 March
Brunei 1 April - 31 March
Bulgaria calendar year
Burkina Faso calendar year
Burma 1 April - 31 March
Burundi calendar year
Cambodia calendar year
Cameroon 1 July - 30 June
Canada 1 April - 31 March
Cape Verde calendar year
Cayman Islands 1 April - 31 March
Central African Republic calendar year
Chad calendar year
Chile calendar year
China calendar year
Christmas Island 1 July - 30 June
Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1 July - 30 June
Colombia calendar year
Comoros calendar year
Congo, Democratic Republic of the calendar year
Congo, Republic of the calendar year
Cook Islands 1 April - 31 March
Costa Rica calendar year
Cote d'Ivoire calendar year
Croatia calendar year
Cuba calendar year
Cyprus calendar year
Czech Republic calendar year
Denmark calendar year
Djibouti calendar year
Dominica 1 July - 30 June
Dominican Republic calendar year
Ecuador calendar year
Egypt 1 July - 30 June
El Salvador calendar year
Equatorial Guinea calendar year
Eritrea calendar year
Estonia calendar year
Ethiopia 8 July - 7 July
European Union NA
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1 April - 31 March
Faroe Islands calendar year
Fiji calendar year
Finland calendar year
France calendar year
French Polynesia calendar year
Gabon calendar year
Gambia, The calendar year
Gaza Strip calendar year
Georgia calendar year
Germany calendar year
Ghana calendar year
Gibraltar 1 July - 30 June
Greece calendar year
Greenland calendar year
Grenada calendar year
Guam 1 October - 30 September
Guatemala calendar year
Guernsey calendar year
Guinea calendar year
Guinea-Bissau calendar year
Guyana calendar year
Haiti 1 October - 30 September
Holy See (Vatican City) calendar year
Honduras calendar year
Hong Kong 1 April - 31 March
Hungary calendar year
Iceland calendar year
India 1 April - 31 March
Indonesia calendar year
Iran 21 March - 20 March
Iraq calendar year
Ireland calendar year
Isle of Man 1 April - 31 March
Israel calendar year
Italy calendar year
Jamaica 1 April - 31 March
Japan 1 April - 31 March
Jersey 1 April - 31 March
Jordan calendar year
Kazakhstan calendar year
Kenya 1 July - 30 June
Kiribati NA
Korea, North calendar year
Korea, South calendar year
Kuwait 1 April - 31 March
Kyrgyzstan calendar year
Laos 1 October - 30 September
Latvia calendar year
Lebanon calendar year
Lesotho 1 April - 31 March
Liberia calendar year
Libya calendar year
Liechtenstein calendar year
Lithuania calendar year
Luxembourg calendar year
Macau calendar year
Macedonia calendar year
Madagascar calendar year
Malawi 1 July - 30 June
Malaysia calendar year
Maldives calendar year
Mali calendar year
Malta calendar year
Marshall Islands 1 October - 30 September
Mauritania calendar year
Mauritius 1 July - 30 June
Mayotte calendar year
Mexico calendar year
Micronesia, Federated States of 1 October - 30 September
Moldova calendar year
Monaco calendar year
Mongolia calendar year
Montenegro calendar year
Montserrat 1 April - 31 March
Morocco calendar year
Mozambique calendar year
Namibia 1 April - 31 March
Nauru 1 July - 30 June
Nepal 16 July - 15 July
Netherlands calendar year
Netherlands Antilles calendar year
New Caledonia calendar year
New Zealand 1 April - 31 March note: this is the fiscal year for tax purposes
Nicaragua calendar year
Niger calendar year
Nigeria calendar year
Niue 1 April - 31 March
Norfolk Island 1 July - 30 June
Northern Mariana Islands 1 October - 30 September
Norway calendar year
Oman calendar year
Pakistan 1 July - 30 June
Palau 1 October - 30 September
Panama calendar year
Papua New Guinea calendar year
Paraguay calendar year
Peru calendar year
Philippines calendar year
Pitcairn Islands 1 April - 31 March
Poland calendar year
Portugal calendar year
Puerto Rico 1 July - 30 June
Qatar 1 April - 31 March
Romania calendar year
Russia calendar year
Rwanda calendar year
Saint Helena 1 April - 31 March
Saint Kitts and Nevis calendar year
Saint Lucia 1 April - 31 March
Saint Pierre and Miquelon calendar year
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines calendar year
Samoa June 1 - May 31
San Marino calendar year
Sao Tome and Principe calendar year
Saudi Arabia calendar year
Senegal calendar year
Seychelles calendar year
Sierra Leone calendar year
Singapore 1 April - 31 March
Slovakia calendar year
Slovenia calendar year
Solomon Islands calendar year
Somalia NA
South Africa 1 April - 31 March
Spain calendar year
Sri Lanka calendar year
Sudan calendar year
Suriname calendar year
Swaziland 1 April - 31 March
Sweden calendar year
Switzerland calendar year
Syria calendar year
Taiwan calendar year
Tajikistan calendar year
Tanzania 1 July - 30 June
Thailand 1 October - 30 September
Timor-Leste calendar year
Togo calendar year
Tokelau 1 April - 31 March
Tonga 1 July - 30 June
Trinidad and Tobago 1 October - 30 September
Tunisia calendar year
Turkey calendar year
Turkmenistan calendar year
Turks and Caicos Islands calendar year
Tuvalu calendar year
Uganda 1 July - 30 June
Ukraine calendar year
United Arab Emirates calendar year
United Kingdom 6 April - 5 April
United States 1 October - 30 September
Uruguay calendar year
Uzbekistan calendar year
Vanuatu calendar year
Venezuela calendar year
Vietnam calendar year
Virgin Islands 1 October - 30 September
Wallis and Futuna calendar year
West Bank calendar year
Western Sahara calendar year
Yemen calendar year
Zambia calendar year
Zimbabwe calendar year
This page was last updated on 18 November 2008
======================================================================
@2081 Flag description
Afghanistan three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan
Akrotiri the flag of the UK is used
Albania red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
Algeria two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary note: the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)
American Samoa blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa
Andorra three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Angola two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Anguilla blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Antigua and Barbuda red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band
Argentina three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May
Armenia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange
Aruba blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner
Ashmore and Cartier Islands the flag of Australia is used
Australia blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
Austria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red
Azerbaijan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
Bahamas, The three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
Bahrain red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
Bangladesh green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh
Barbados three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Belarus red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red
Belgium three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red note: the design was based on the flag of France
Belize blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
Benin two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side
Bermuda red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
Bhutan divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
Bolivia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band
Bosnia and Herzegovina a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle
Botswana light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center
Bouvet Island the flag of Norway is used
Brazil green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
British Indian Ocean Territory white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag
British Virgin Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Brunei yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Bulgaria three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed
Burkina Faso two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Burma red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 14, white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions and seven states
Burundi divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below)
Cambodia three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design
Cameroon three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Canada two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white
Cape Verde five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars, each representing one of the islands, is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side
Cayman Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Central African Republic four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band
Chad three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red note: similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
Chile two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence note: design was influenced by the US flag
China red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
Christmas Island territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes
Clipperton Island the flag of France is used
Cocos (Keeling) Islands the flag of Australia is used
Colombia three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Comoros four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Congo, Democratic Republic of the sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner
Congo, Republic of the divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Cook Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Coral Sea Islands the flag of Australia is used
Costa Rica five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
Cote d'Ivoire three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
Croatia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered)
Cuba five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center
Cyprus white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a white field with narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which is centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star
Czech Republic two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side note: identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia
Denmark red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Dhekelia the flag of the UK is used
Djibouti two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
Dominica green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Dominican Republic a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon
Ecuador three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
Egypt three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band
El Salvador three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Equatorial Guinea three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)
Eritrea red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle
Estonia pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
Ethiopia three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors
European Union blue field with 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle in the center, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars is fixed
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Faroe Islands white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Fiji light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
Finland white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
France three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas
French Polynesia two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions
French Southern and Antarctic Lands the flag of France is used
Gabon three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
Gambia, The three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
Georgia white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to the 14th century
Germany three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold
Ghana three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Gibraltar two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Greece nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country
Greenland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Grenada a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions
Guam territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag
Guatemala three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
Guernsey white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross
Guinea three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Guinea-Bissau two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Guyana green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green
Haiti two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
Heard Island and McDonald Islands the flag of Australia is used
Holy See (Vatican City) two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band
Honduras three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
Hong Kong red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center
Hungary three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Iceland blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
India three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band
Indonesia two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red
Iran three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band
Iraq three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors; Council of Representatives approved this flag as a compromise temporary replacement for Ba'athist Saddam-era flag
Ireland three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red
Isle of Man red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
Israel white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag
Italy three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797
Jamaica diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)
Jan Mayen the flag of Norway is used
Japan white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center
Jersey white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with the three lions of England in yellow
Jordan three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
Kazakhstan sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe eagle in the center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold
Kenya three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center
Kiribati the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean
Korea, North three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
Korea, South white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
Kosovo centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars - each representing one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo - arrayed in a slight arc
Kuwait three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates to 1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I
Kyrgyzstan red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt
Laos three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
Latvia three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
Lebanon three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band
Lesotho three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence
Liberia 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag
Libya plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)
Liechtenstein two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Lithuania three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
Luxembourg three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
Macau light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in center of arc and four smaller
Macedonia a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field
Madagascar two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Malawi three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Malaysia 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
Maldives red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
Mali three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Malta two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red
Marshall Islands blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
Mauritania green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Mauritius four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green
Mayotte unofficial, local flag with the coat of arms of Mayotte centered on a white field, above which the name of the island appears in red capital letters; the main elements of the coat of arms, flanked on either side by a seahorse, appear above a scroll with the motto RA HACHIRI (We are Vigilant); the only official flag is the national flag of France
Mexico three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle with a snake in its beak perched on a cactus) is centered in the white band
Micronesia, Federated States of light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
Moldova three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; same color scheme as Romania
Monaco two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red
Mongolia three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol)
Montenegro a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered
Montserrat blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
Morocco red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; design dates to 1912
Mozambique three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book
Namibia a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green
Nauru blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru
Navassa Island the flag of the US is used
Nepal red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun
Netherlands three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century
Netherlands Antilles white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten
New Caledonia the flag of France is used
New Zealand blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation
Nicaragua three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Niger three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
Nigeria three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
Niue yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each arm of the bold red cross
Norfolk Island three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band
Northern Mariana Islands blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath
Norway red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Oman three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
Pakistan green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Palau light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
Panama divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Papua New Guinea divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
Paraguay three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Peru three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath
Philippines two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top
Pitcairn Islands blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
Poland two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Portugal two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the dividing line
Puerto Rico five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed |
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