chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand
and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL
(since NA December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JACQUES
(since November 2003); serves as liaison between the governor and
the Island Council
head of government: mayor and chairman of the Island Council Jay
WARREN (since 15 December 2004)
cabinet: NA
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner and
commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by
popular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2004
(next to be held December 2007)
election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the
Island Council
Poland
chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23
December 1995)
head of government: Prime Minister Marek BELKA (since 24 June 2004);
Deputy Prime Minister Jerzy HAUSNER (since 11 June 2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and
the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and
the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005);
prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
and confirmed by the Sejm
election results: Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president;
percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzej
OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1%
Portugal
chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Pedro SANTANA LOPES (since 17
July 2004); note - Prime Minister Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO resigned
5 July 2004 to take over the Presidency of the European Commission;
Prime Minister Pedro SANTANA LOPES and his government resigned 11
December 2004, but will stay on in a caretaker capacity until
February 2005 elections
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative
body to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA January
2006); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime
minister by the president
election results: Jorge SAMPAIO reelected president; percent of vote
- Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral
(Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1%
Puerto Rico
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US
(since 20 January 2001)
head of government: Governor Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (since 2 January
2005)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the
legislature
elections: US president and vice president elected on the same
ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a
four-year term; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held
November 2008)
election results: Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (PPD) elected governor;
percent of vote - 48.4%
Qatar
chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June
1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin
Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince TAMIM bin Hamad
bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected Heir
Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also
holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of
the Armed Forces
head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani,
brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996) Deputy Prime Minister
MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20
January 1998); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin JASIM bin JABIR
Al Thani (since 16 September 2003; also Foreign Minister since
1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATTIYAH
(since 16 September 2003; also Energy Minister since NA 1992)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member
Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed
at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election
for the CMC was held in March 1999
Reunion
chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17
May 1995), represented by Prefect Dominique VIAN (since 16 August
2004)
head of government: President of the General Council Jean-Luc
POUDROUX (since NA March 1998) and President of the Regional Council
Paul VERGES (since NA March 1993)
cabinet: NA
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year
term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the
French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the General and
Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Romania
chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December
2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Calin Popescu TARICEANU (since 29
December 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 28 November 2004, with runoff between the top two
candidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held 28 November 2009
and 12 December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian
NASTASE 48.77%
Russia
chief of state: President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN
(acting president since 31 December 1999, president since 7 May 2000)
head of government: Premier Mikhail Yefimovich FRADKOV (since 5
March 2004); Deputy Premier Aleksandr Dmitriyevich ZHUKOV (since 9
March 2004)
cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of
the premier and his deputy, ministers, and selected other
individuals; all are appointed by the president
note: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides
staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential
decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a
Security Council also reports directly to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;
election last held 14 March 2004 (next to be held NA March 2008);
note - no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot
exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns,
the premier succeeds him; the premier serves as acting president
until a new presidential election is held, which must be within
three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval
of the Duma
election results: Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN reelected president;
percent of vote - Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN 71.2%, Nikolay
KHARITONOV 13.7%, other (no candidate above 5%) 15.1%
Rwanda
chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March
2000)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)
election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct
popular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%,
Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33%
Saint Helena
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952)
head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief David HOLLAMBY
(since 1999); Michael CLANCY (taking office in October 2004)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio
officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by
the monarch
Saint Kitts and Nevis
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952), represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville
SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July
1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation
with the prime minister
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is
appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the
leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is
usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy
prime minister appointed by the governor general
Saint Lucia
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952), represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since
September 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth Davis ANTHONY (since 24
May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is
appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the
leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition
is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy
prime minister appointed by the governor general
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC
of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Albert DUPUY
(since 10 January 2005)
head of government: President of the General Council Marc
PLANTAGENEST (since NA)
cabinet: NA
elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year
term; election last held, first round - 21 April 2002, second round
- 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prefect appointed by the
French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior;
president of the General Council is elected by the members of the
council
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II
(since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir
Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29
March 2001)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is
appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the
leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by
the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the
governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Samoa
chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state
from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)
head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA
(since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from
1992 until he assumed the prime ministership in 1996, when former
Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health;
TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister (November 1998) after
TOFILAU died; the post of deputy prime minister is currently vacant
cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of
state with the prime minister's advice
elections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a new
chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve
a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of
state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
San Marino
chief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent Giuseppe
ARZILLI and Captain Regent Roberto RASCHI (for the period 1 October
2004-31 March 2005)
head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political
Affairs Fabio BERARDI (15 December 2003)
cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council
for a five-year term
elections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great
and General Council for a six-month term; election last held NA
September 2004 (next to be held March 2005); secretary of state for
foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General
Council for a five-year term; election last held 13 December 2003
(next to be held June 2006 when general elections are scheduled)
election results: Giuseppe ARZILLI and Roberto RASCHI elected
captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Fabio BERARDI
elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs;
percent of legislative vote - NA%
note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council)
selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefs
of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the
Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which
has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council;
assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the
secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of the
prerogatives of a prime minister
Sao Tome and Principe
chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES
(since 3 September 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Damiao Vaz DE ALMEIDA (since 17
September 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
proposal of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held NA July 2006);
prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the
president
election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao
Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA%
Saudi Arabia
chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd
al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982, but largely incapacitated since
late 1995); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH
bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud since 13 June 1982, also Saudi Arabian
National Guard Commander since 1963 and de facto ruler since early
1996; note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al
Saud (since 13 June 1982, but largely incapacitated since late
1995); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd
al-Aziz Al Saud since 13 June 1982, also Saudi Arabian National
Guard Commander since 1963 and de facto ruler since early 1996; note
- the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and
includes many royal family members
elections: note - in October 2003, Council of Ministers announced
its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local
and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period
of four to five years; in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipal
and Rural Affairs initiated voter registration for partial municipal
council elections scheduled nationwide for February through April
2005
Senegal
chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Macky SALL (since 21 April 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in
consultation with the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
under new constitution; election last held 27 February and 19 March
2000 (next to be held 27 February 2005); prime minister appointed by
the president
election results: Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of vote
in the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.49%, Abdou
DIOUF (PS) 41.51%
Serbia and Montenegro
chief of state: President Svetozar MAROVIC
(since 7 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of
state and head of government
head of government: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Federal Ministries act as Cabinet
elections: president elected by the Parliament for a four-year term;
election last held 7 March 2003 (next to be held 2007)
election results: Svetozar MAROVIC elected president by the
Parliament; vote was Svetozar MAROVIC 65, other 47
Seychelles
chief of state: President James MICHEL (since 14 April
2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA
2006)
election results: France Albert RENE re-elected president; percent
of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO)
44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that
presidential elections have been held separately from legislative
elections; France Albert RENE stepped down 14 April 2004 and Vice
President James MICHEL was sworn in as president
Sierra Leone
chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29
March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both
the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March
1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the
chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the
approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible
to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); note -
president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms
election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of
vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%
Singapore
chief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN
(since 1 September 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August
2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004);
Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime
Ministers Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August 2004) and Tony TAN
Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible to
Parliament
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 28 August 1999 (next to be held by August 2005);
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or
the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime
minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the
president
election results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN elected president
unopposed
Slovakia
chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June
2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30
October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Ivan MIKLOS (since 30 October
1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pal CSAKY (since 30 October 1998);
Deputy Prime Minister Pavol RUSKO (since May 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of
the prime minister
elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-year
term; election last held 3 April and 17 April 2004 (next to be held
April 2009); following National Council elections, the leader of the
majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the president
election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff;
percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%;
Mikulas DZURINDA reelected prime minister October 2002
note: government coalition - SDKU, SMK, KDH, ANO
Slovenia
chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December
2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Janez JANSA (since 9 November
2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and
elected by the National Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be held
in the fall of 2007); following National Assembly elections, the
leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition
is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and
elected by the National Assembly; election last held 9 November 2004
(next National Assembly elections to be held October 2008)
election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote
- Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Janez JANSA elected
prime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 27
Solomon Islands
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952), represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July
2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17
December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December
2001)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor
general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members
of Parliament
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general
appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five
years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime
minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the
governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament
Somalia
chief of state: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October
2004); note - a new Transitional Federal Government consisting of a
275-member parliament was established in October 2004 replacing the
Transitional National Government created in 2000
head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad GHEDI (since 3
November 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
election results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the leader of the Puntland
region of Somalia, was elected president by the Transitional Federal
Government
South Africa
chief of state: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June
1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999);
Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a
five-year term; election last held 2 June 1999 (next to be held 24
April 2004)
election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of National
Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation)
note: ANC-IFP is the governing coalition
Spain
chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975);
Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968
head of government: President of the Government Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ
ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First Vice President (and Minister
of the Presidency) Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA(since 18 April
2004) and Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy and
Finance) Pedro SOLBES (since 18 April 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president
note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme
consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are
non-binding
elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and
elected by the National Assembly; election last held 14 March 2004
(next to be held NA March 2008); vice presidents appointed by the
monarch on the proposal of the president
election results: Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (PSOE) elected
president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52.29%
Sri Lanka
chief of state: President Chandrika Bandaranaike
KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE
(since 6 April 2004)i s the prime minister; the president is
considered both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA
(since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 6 April
2004) is the prime minister; the president is considered both the
chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the
prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December
2005)
election results: Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelected
president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA 51%,
Ranil WICKREMASINGHE 42%, other 7%
Sudan
chief of state: President Field Marshall Umar Hassan Ahmad
al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman
Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses
MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the
chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Field Marshall Umar Hasan Ahmad
al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman
Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses
MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the
chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the
National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front
or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA)
election results: Field Marshall Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR
reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR
86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates
received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged;
all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack
of guarantees for a free and fair election
note: BASHIR assumed supreme executive power in 1989 and retained it
through several transitional governments in the early and mid-1990s
before being popularly elected for the first time in March 1996
Suriname
chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since
12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12
August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12
August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12
August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among
the members of the National Assembly
elections: president and vice president elected by the National
Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate
receives a constitutional majority in the National Assembly after
two votes, by the larger People's Assembly (869 representatives from
the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms;
election last held 6 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005)
note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the
call for elections a year early
election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN elected president by the
National Assembly; percent of legislative vote - Runaldo Ronald
VENETIAAN 72.5%; Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 19.6%; total votes cast -
Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes, Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP)
10 votes
Svalbard
chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January
1991)
head of government: Governor Odd Olsen INGERO (since 8 June 2001)
and Assistant Governor Rune Baard HANSEN (since NA)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant
governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of
Justice
Swaziland
chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government: Prime Minister Absolom Themba DLAMINI (since 14
November 2003)
cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by
the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed
by the monarch
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 Goran PERSSON (since 21 March
1996)
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 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006)
election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131
out of 349 votes
Switzerland
chief of state: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January
2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005);
Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal
(in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal
Assembly usually from among its own 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 one-year
terms that run concurrently; election last held 8 December 2004
(next to be held December 2005)
election results: Samuel SCHMID elected president; percent of
Federal Assembly vote - 70.7%; Moritz LEUENBERGER elected vice
president; percent of legislative vote - 64.8%
Syria
chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000);
Vice Presidents Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984)
and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984)
head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10
September 2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;
referendum/election last held 10 July 2000 - after the death of
President Hafiz al-ASAD, father of Bashar al-ASAD - (next to be held
2007); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime minister
and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
election results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote
- Bashar al-ASAD 97.29%
note: Hafiz al-ASAD died on 10 June 2000; on 20 June 2000, the Ba'th
Party nominated Bashar al-ASAD for president and presented his name
to the People's Council on 25 June 2000
Taiwan
chief of state: President CHEN Shui-bian (since 20 May 2000)
and Vice President Annette LU (LU Hsiu-lien) (since 20 May 2000)
head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) Frank
HSIEH (since 1 February 2005) and Vice Premier (Vice President of
the Executive Yuan) YEH Chu-lan (since 20 May 2004)
cabinet: Executive Yuan appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 20 March
2004 (next to be held in March 2008); premier appointed by the
president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the premier
election results: CHEN Shui-bian re-elected president; percent of
vote - CHEN Shui-bian (DPP) 50.1%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 49.9%
Tajikistan
chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (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;
election last held 6 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); prime
minister appointed by the president; Tajikistan held a
constitutional referendum on 22 June 2003 that, among other things,
set a term limit of two seven-year terms for the president
election results: Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent of
vote - Emomali RAHMONOV 97%, Davlat USMON 2%
Tanzania
chief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23
November 1995); 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 Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23
November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July
2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of
government
note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for
matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was elected to that
office on 29 October 2000
cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are
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; election last held 29 October
2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by
the president
election results: Benjamin William MKAPA reelected president;
percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 71.7%, Ibrahim Haruna
LIPUMBA 16.3%, Augustine Lyatonga MREME 7.8%, John Momose CHEYO 4.2%
Thailand
chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)
head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9
February 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers CHATURON Chaisaeng, Gen.
CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut (Ret.), PURACHAI Piamsombun, VISHANU Krua-ngam
(since 8 November 2003); LIPTAPANLOP Suwat (since 1 July 2004);
SOMSAK Thepsuthin, PHINIT Charusombat (since 6 October 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
note: there is also a Privy Council
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is
designated from among the members of the House of Representatives;
following national elections for the House of Representatives, the
leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually
is appointed prime minister by the king
Togo
chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 6 February
2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was
succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, who will be allowed to
complete his father's term
head of government: Prime Minister Koffi SAMA (since 29 June 2002)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the
prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 1 June 2003 (next to be held NA June 2008); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Gnassingbe EYADEMA reelected president; percent of
vote - Gnassingbe EYADEMA 57.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 34.1%, Yawovi
AGBOYIBO 5.2%, Maurice Dahuku PERE 2.3%, Edem KODJO 1.0%
Tokelau
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Neil WALTER
(since NA 2002)
head of government: Aliki Faipule Kuresa NASAU (since 2004) note -
position rotates annually among members of the cabinet
cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders
- one from each atoll - functions as a cabinet
elections: none; 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 Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December
1965)
head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA
(since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER
(since NA January 2001)
cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the monarch, consists of 12 members
note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch,
the Cabinet, and two governors
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and
deputy prime minister appointed for life 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; election last held 14 February 2003 (next to be held
in 2008); the president usually appoints as prime minister the
leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives
election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS elected president; percent
of electoral college vote - 43%
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;
election last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held 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 Ahmet Necdet SEZER (since 16 May
2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (14 March
2003)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
nomination of the prime minister
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a
seven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA
May 2007); prime minister appointed by the president from among
members of parliament
election results: Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president on the third
ballot; percent of National Assembly vote - 60%
note: president 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 and Chairman of the Cabinet
of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the
first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president
is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of
Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first
direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both
the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
note: NIYAZOV's term in office was extended indefinitely on 28
December 1999 during a session of the People's Council (Halk
Maslahaty)
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held in 2008 when
NIYAZOV turns 70 and is constitutionally ineligible to run); note -
President NIYAZOV was unanimously approved as president for life by
the People's Council on 28 December 1999; deputy chairmen of the
cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president
election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without
opposition; percent of vote - Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%
Turks and Caicos Islands
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1953), represented by Governor Jim POSTON (since 16
December 2002)
head of government: Chief Minister Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15
August 2003)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and
five appointed by the governor from among the members of the
Legislative Council
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor
Tuvalu
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Faimalaga LUKA (since 9 September
2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA (since 11 October
2004)
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 11 October 2004 (next to be held
following parliamentary elections in 2006)
election results: Saufatu SOPOANGA resigned parliamentary seat on 27
August 2004 following no-confidence vote on 25 August 2004;
succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA in an acting
capacity on 27 August 2004; Maatia TOAFA confirmed Prime Minister in
a Parliamentary election (8-7 vote) on 11 Ocotober 2004
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 29 January 1986); Prime Minister Apollo NSIBAMBI
(since 5 April 1999); note - the president is both chief of state
and head of government; 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 12 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); note -
first popular election for president since independence in 1962 was
held in 1996; prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president;
percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 69.3%, Kizza
BESIGYE 27.8%
Ukraine
chief of state: President Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since 23
January 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (since 4
February 2005); First Deputy Prime Minister - Anatoliy KINAKH (since
4 February 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and
approved by the Supreme Council
note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC
originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council, but
significantly revamped and strengthened under former-President
KUCHMA; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security
policy on domestic and international matters and advising the
president; a Presidential Administration that helps draft
presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president;
and a Council of Regions that serves as an advisory body
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year 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 Mr. YANUKOVYCH -
was invalidated by the Ukrainian Supreme Court because of widespread
and significant violations; prime minister and deputy prime
ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme
Council
election results: Viktor YUSHCHENKO elected president; percent of
vote - Viktor YUSHCHENKO 51.99%, Viktor YANUKOVYCH 44.2%
United Arab Emirates
chief of state: President Sheikh KHALIFA bin
Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu
Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid
al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)
head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum
(since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime
Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990);
Deputy Prime Minister 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 (composed
of rulers of the seven emirates) for five-year terms; 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 2009);
prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president
election results: KHALIFA bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan elected president
by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum
unanimously reaffirmed vice president
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 Anthony (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May
1997)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: none; 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); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001)
; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
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; election
last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)
election results: George W. BUSH reelected president; percent of
popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 50.9%, John KERRY
(Democratic Party) 48.1%, other 1.0%
Uruguay
chief of state: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March
2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March
2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
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; election last held 31 October
2004 (next to be held October 2009)
election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote
- Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.7%, Jorge LARRANAGA 34.1%, Guillermo STIRLING
10.3%; note - VAZQUEZ will take office on 1 March 2005
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 MIRZIYAYEV (since 11
December 2003)
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
(previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional
amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be
held NA December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministers
appointed by the president
election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote
- Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%
Vanuatu
chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16
August 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December
2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004);
Prime Minister Serge VOHOR ousted in no-confidence vote on 11
December 2004
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 29 July 2004 (next to be held following general
elections in 2008)
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); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April
2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February
1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006)
election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of
vote - 60%
note: a special presidential recall vote on 15 August 2004 resulted
in a victory for CHAVEZ; percent of vote - 58% in favor of CHAVEZ
fulfilling the remaining two years of his term, 42% in favor of
terminating his presidency immediately
Vietnam
chief of state: President Tran Duc Luong (since 24 September
1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (since 25 September
1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (since 29
September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Vu Khoan (8 August 2002) and
Pham Gia Khiem (since 29 September 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the proposal of the
prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly
elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its
members for a five-year term; election last held 25 July 2002 (next
to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative
elections in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president from
among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers
appointed by the prime minister
election results: Tran Duc Luong elected president; percent of
National Assembly vote - NA
Virgin Islands
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US
(since 20 January 2001)
head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5
January 1999)
cabinet: NA
elections: US president and vice president elected on the same
ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected
on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election
last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)
election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor;
percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John
de JONGH 24.4%
Wallis and Futuna
chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France
(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Xavier DE
FURST (since 18 January 2005)
head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione
KANIMOA (since NA 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 Abd al-Qadir BA JAMAL (since 4
April 2001)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the
advice of the prime minister
elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a
seven-year term (recently extended from a five-year term by
constitutional amendment); election last held 23 September 1999
(next to be held NA 2006); 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 96.3%, Najib Qahtan AL-SHAABI 3.7%
Zambia
chief of state: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January
2002); Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002);
Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
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;
election last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held NA December
2006); vice president appointed by the president
election results: Levy MWANAWASA elected president; percent of vote
- Levy MWANAWASA 29%, Anderson MAZOKA 27%, Christon TEMBO 13%,
Tilyenji KAUNDA 10%, Godfrey MIYANDA 8%, Benjamin MWILA 5%, Michael
SATA 3%, other 5%
Zimbabwe
chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE
(since 31 December 1987); 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 Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December
2004; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
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; election last held 9-11 March
2002 (next to be held NA March 2008); co-vice presidents appointed
by the president
election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent
of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9%
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
======================================================================
@2078 Exports
Afghanistan
$98 million (not including illicit exports) (2002 est.)
Albania
$425 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Algeria
$24.96 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
American Samoa
$30 million (2002)
Andorra
$58 million f.o.b. (1998)
Angola
$9.669 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Anguilla
$2.6 million (1999)
Antigua and Barbuda
$689 million (2002)
Argentina
$29.57 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Armenia
$735 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Aruba
$128 million f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)
Australia
$68.67 billion (2003 est.)
Austria
$83.45 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan
$2.605 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Bahamas, The
$617 million (2002 est.)
Bahrain
$6.492 billion (2003 est.)
Bangladesh
$6.713 billion (2003 est.)
Barbados
$206 million (2002)
Belarus
$9.413 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Belgium
$182.9 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Belize
$207.8 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Benin
$485 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Bermuda
$879 million (2002)
Bhutan
$154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Bolivia
$1.495 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$1.28 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Botswana
$2.544 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Brazil
$73.28 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
British Virgin Islands
$25.3 million (2002)
Brunei
$3.439 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Bulgaria
$7.337 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Burkina Faso
$293 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Burma
$2.434 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Burundi
$40 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Cambodia
$1.616 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Cameroon
$1.873 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Canada
$279.3 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Cape Verde
$50.68 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Cayman Islands
$1.2 million (1999)
Central African Republic
$172 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Chad
$365 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Chile
$20.44 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
China
$436.1 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Christmas Island
NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
NA
Colombia
$12.96 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Comoros
$28 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
$1.417 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Congo, Republic of the
$2.293 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Cook Islands
$9.1 million (2000)
Costa Rica
$6.176 billion (2003 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire
$5.299 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Croatia
$6.355 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Cuba
$1.467 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Cyprus
Republic of Cyprus: $1.054 billion f.o.b. north Cyprus: $46
million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Czech Republic
$46.77 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Denmark
$64.16 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Djibouti
$155 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Dominica
$39 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Dominican Republic
$5.524 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
East Timor
$8 million (2001 est.)
Ecuador
$6.073 billion (2003 est.)
Egypt
$8.759 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
El Salvador
$3.162 billion (2003 est.)
Equatorial Guinea
$2.1 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Eritrea
$56 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Estonia
$4.075 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Ethiopia
$537 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
European Union
$850.3 billion (2002)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
$82 million (2002)
Faroe Islands
$408 million f.o.b. (2002)
Fiji
$609 million f.o.b. (2002)
Finland
$54.28 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
France
$346.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
French Guiana
$155 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
French Polynesia
$244 million f.o.b. (2002)
Gabon
$2.891 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Gambia, The
$156 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Gaza Strip
$603 million f.o.b., includes West Bank
Georgia
$615 million (2003 est.)
Germany
$696.9 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Ghana
$2.642 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Gibraltar
$136 million f.o.b. (2002)
Greece
$5.899 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Greenland
$388 million f.o.b. (2002)
Grenada
$46 million (2002 est.)
Guadeloupe
$140 million f.o.b. (1997)
Guam
$38 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Guatemala
$2.763 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Guernsey
NA
Guinea
$726 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Guinea-Bissau
$54 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Guyana
$512 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Haiti
$321 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Honduras
$1.37 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Hong Kong
$225.9 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2003 est.)
Hungary
$42.03 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Iceland
$2.379 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
India
$57.24 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Indonesia
$63.89 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Iran
$29.88 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Iraq
$7.542 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Ireland
$98.31 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Israel
$29.32 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Italy
$278.1 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Jamaica
$1.355 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Japan
$447.1 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Jersey
NA
Jordan
$2.908 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Kazakhstan
$12.72 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Kenya
$2.514 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Kiribati
$35 million f.o.b. (2002)
Korea, North
$1.044 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Korea, South
$201.3 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Kuwait
$22.29 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Kyrgyzstan
$548 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Laos
$332 million (2003 est.)
Latvia
$3 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Lebanon
$1.359 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Lesotho
$450 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Liberia
$1.079 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Libya
$14.32 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Liechtenstein
$2.47 billion (1996)
Lithuania
$7.89 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Luxembourg
$8.571 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Macau
$2.356 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Macedonia
$1.346 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Madagascar
$700 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Malawi
$455 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Malaysia
$98.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Maldives
$90 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Mali
$915 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Malta
$2.175 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Man, Isle of
NA
Marshall Islands
$9 million f.o.b. (2000)
Martinique
$250 million f.o.b. (1997)
Mauritania
$541 million f.o.b. (2002)
Mauritius
$1.965 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Mayotte
$3.44 million f.o.b. (1997)
Mexico
$164.8 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Micronesia, Federated States of
$22 million (f.o.b.) (FY99/00 est.)
Moldova
$790 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Monaco
$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market
system through customs union with France
Mongolia
$524 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Montserrat
$700,000 (2001)
Morocco
$8.466 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Mozambique
$795 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Namibia
$1.09 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Nauru
$18 million f.o.b. (2002)
Nepal
$568 million f.o.b., but does not include unrecorded border
trade with India (2002 est.)
Netherlands
$253.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Netherlands Antilles
$1.579 billion f.o.b. (2002)
New Caledonia
$448 million f.o.b. (2002)
New Zealand
$15.86 billion (2003 est.)
Nicaragua
$632 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Niger
$280 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Nigeria
$21.8 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Niue
$137,200 (1999)
Norfolk Island
$1.5 million f.o.b. (FY91/92)
Northern Mariana Islands
NA
Norway
$67.27 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Oman
$11.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Pakistan
$11.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Palau
$18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Panama
$5.237 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Papua New Guinea
$1.938 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Paraguay
$2.727 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Peru
$8.954 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Philippines
$34.56 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Pitcairn Islands
NA
Poland
$57.6 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Portugal
$31.13 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Puerto Rico
$46.9 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Qatar
$12.36 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Reunion
$214 million f.o.b. (1997)
Romania
$17.63 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Russia
$134.4 billion (2003 est.)
Rwanda
$73.33 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Saint Helena
$17 million f.o.b. (2002)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
$70 million (2002 est.)
Saint Lucia
$66 million (2002 est.)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
$10 million f.o.b. (2002)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
$38 million (2002 est.)
Samoa
$14 million f.o.b. (2002)
San Marino
trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Sao Tome and Principe
$6.479 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Saudi Arabia
$86.53 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Senegal
$1.23 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Serbia and Montenegro
$2.667 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Seychelles
$250 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Sierra Leone
$49 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Singapore
$142.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Slovakia
$21.25 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Slovenia
$11.98 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Solomon Islands
$90 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Somalia
$79 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
South Africa
$36.77 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Spain
$159.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Sri Lanka
$5.269 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Sudan
$2.45 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Suriname
$495 million f.o.b. (2002)
Svalbard
NA
Swaziland
$905.6 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Sweden
$102.8 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Switzerland
$110 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Syria
$5.143 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Taiwan
$143 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Tajikistan
$750 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Tanzania
$978 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Thailand
$75.99 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Togo
$398.1 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Tokelau
$98,000 f.o.b. (1983)
Tonga
$27 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Trinidad and Tobago
$4.9 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Tunisia
$8.035 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Turkey
$49.12 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Turkmenistan
$3.355 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands
$169.2 million (2000)
Tuvalu
$1 million f.o.b. (2002)
Uganda
$495 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Ukraine
$23.63 billion (2003 est.)
United Arab Emirates
$56.73 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
United Kingdom
$304.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
United States
$714.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Uruguay
$2.164 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Uzbekistan
$2.83 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Vanuatu
$79 million f.o.b. (2002)
Venezuela
$25.86 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Vietnam
$19.88 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Virgin Islands
NA
Wallis and Futuna
$250,000 f.o.b. (1999)
West Bank
$603 million f.o.b., includes Gaza Strip
Western Sahara
NA
World
$6.421 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Yemen
$3.92 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Zambia
$1.039 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Zimbabwe
$1.261 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
======================================================================
@2079 Debt - external
Afghanistan
$8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia;
Afghanistan has $500 million in debt to Multilateral Development
Banks (2004)
Albania
$1.41 billion (2003)
Algeria
$22.71 billion (2003 est.)
American Samoa
NA (2002 est.)
Andorra
NA
Angola
$9.164 billion (2003 est.)
Anguilla
$8.8 million (1998)
Antigua and Barbuda
$231 million (1999)
Argentina
$145.6 billion (2003 est.)
Armenia
$905 million (June 2001)
Aruba
$285 million (1996)
Australia
$233.5 billion (2003 est.)
Austria
$15.5 billion (2003 est.)
Azerbaijan
$1.575 billion (2003)
Bahamas, The
$308.5 million (2002)
Bahrain
$4.682 billion (2003)
Bangladesh
$18.06 billion (2003)
Barbados
$668 million (2003)
Belarus
$851 million (2001 est.)
Belgium
$28.3 billion (1999 est.)
Belize
$475 million (2001 est.)
Benin
$1.6 billion (2000)
Bermuda
$160 million (FY99/00)
Bhutan
$245 million (2000)
Bolivia
$5.332 billion (2003 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$3.5 billion (2003)
Botswana
$392 million (2003)
Brazil
$214.9 billion (2003)
British Virgin Islands
$36.1 million (1997)
Brunei
$0
Bulgaria
$12.05 billion (2003)
Burkina Faso
$1.3 billion (2000)
Burma
$6.011 billion (2003 est.)
Burundi
$1.133 billion (2002)
Cambodia
$2.4 billion (2002 est.)
Cameroon
$7.236 billion (2003 est.)
Canada
$1.9 billion (2000)
Cape Verde
$325 million (2002)
Cayman Islands
$70 million (1996)
Central African Republic
$881.4 million (2000 est.)
Chad
$1.1 billion (2000 est.)
Chile
$43.15 billion (2003)
China
$197.8 billion (2003 est.)
Christmas Island
NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
NA
Colombia
$38.26 billion (2003 est.)
Comoros
$232 million (2000 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
$11.6 billion (2000 est.)
Congo, Republic of the
$5 billion (2000 est.)
Cook Islands
$141 million (1996 est.)
Costa Rica
$5.366 billion (2003 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire
$11.85 billion (2003 est.)
Croatia
$23.56 billion (2003 est.)
Cuba
$12.52 billion (convertible currency); another $15 billion -$20
billion owed to Russia (2003 est.)
Cyprus
Republic of Cyprus: $8.85 billion; north Cyprus: NA (2003)
Czech Republic
$28 billion (2003)
Denmark
$21.7 billion (2000)
Djibouti
$366 million (2002 est.)
Dominica
$161.5 million (2001)
Dominican Republic
$6.567 billion (2003 est.)
East Timor
NA
Ecuador
$15.69 billion (2003)
Egypt
$30.34 billion (2003 est.)
El Salvador
$6.575 billion (2003 est.)
Equatorial Guinea
$248 million (2000 est.)
Eritrea
$311 million (2000 est.)
Estonia
$7.002 billion (2003 est.)
Ethiopia
$2.9 billion (2001 est.)
European Union
$NA
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
NA (1999 est.)
Faroe Islands
$64 million (1999)
Fiji
$188.1 million (2001 est.)
Finland
$30 billion (December 1993)
France
NA
French Guiana
$1.2 billion (1988)
French Polynesia
NA (2000 est.)
Gabon
$3.284 billion (2003 est.)
Gambia, The
$476 million (2001 est.)
Gaza Strip
$108 million (includes West Bank) (1997 est.)
Georgia
$1.8 billion (2002)
Germany
NA (2000 est.)
Ghana
$7.398 billion (2003 est.)
Gibraltar
NA (2000 est.)
Greece
$65.51 billion (2003 est.)
Greenland
$25 million (1999)
Grenada
$196 million (2000)
Guadeloupe
NA (yearend 2003 est.)
Guam
NA (2003 est.)
Guatemala
$4.957 billion (2003 est.)
Guernsey
NA
Guinea
$3.25 billion (2001 est.)
Guinea-Bissau
$941.5 million (2000 est.)
Guyana
$1.2 billion (2002)
Haiti
$1.2 billion (1999)
Honduras
$5.246 billion (2003)
Hong Kong
$59.21 billion (2003 est.)
Hungary
$42.38 billion (2003 est.)
Iceland
$2.6 billion (1999)
India
$101.7 billion (2003 est.)
Indonesia
$135.7 billion (2003 est.)
Iran
$10.96 billion (2003 est.)
Iraq
$93.95 billion (2003 est.)
Ireland
$11 billion (1998)
Israel
$70.97 billion (2003 est.)
Italy
$868.5 billion NA (2003)
Jamaica
$4.962 billion (2003 est.)
Japan
NA (2002 est.)
Jersey
none
Jordan
$7.683 billion (2003 est.)
Kazakhstan
$24.45 billion (2003 est.)
Kenya
$5.916 billion (2003 est.)
Kiribati
$10 million (1999 est.)
Korea, North
$12 billion (1996 est.)
Korea, South
$130.3 billion (2003 est.)
Kuwait
$12.18 billion (2003 est.)
Kyrgyzstan
$1.5 billion (2002 est.)
Laos
$2.49 billion (2001)
Latvia
$6.793 billion (2003 est.)
Lebanon
$20.79 billion (2003 est.)
Lesotho
$735 million (2002)
Liberia
$2.1 billion (2000 est.)
Libya
$4.194 billion (2003 est.)
Liechtenstein
$0 (2001)
Lithuania
$7.671 billion (2003 est.)
Luxembourg
NA
Macau
$121 million (2001 est.)
Macedonia
$1.929 billion (2003 est.)
Madagascar
$4.6 billion (2002)
Malawi
$3.026 billion (2003)
Malaysia
$48.84 billion (2003 est.)
Maldives
$281 million (2003 est.)
Mali
$3.3 billion (2000)
Malta
$130 million (1997)
Man, Isle of
NA
Marshall Islands
$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
Martinique
$180 million (1994)
Mauritania
$2.5 billion (2000)
Mauritius
$1.75 billion (2003 est.)
Mayotte
NA
Mexico
$159.8 billion (2003 est.)
Micronesia, Federated States of
$53.1 million (FY02/03 est.)
Moldova
$1.515 billion (2003)
Monaco
NA (2000 est.)
Mongolia
$885 million (2001 est.)
Montserrat
$8.9 million (1997)
Morocco
$17.32 billion (2003 est.)
Mozambique
$966 million (2002 est.)
Namibia
$1.04 billion (2003 est.)
Nauru
$33.3 million (2002)
Nepal
$2.7 billion (2001)
Netherlands Antilles
$1.35 billion (1996)
New Caledonia
$79 million (1998 est.)
New Zealand
$37.46 billion (2003 est.)
Nicaragua
$5.833 billion (2003 est.)
Niger
$1.6 billion (1999 est.)
Nigeria
$31.07 billion (2003 est.)
Niue
$418,000 (2002 est.)
Norfolk Island
NA
Northern Mariana Islands
NA
Norway
$0 (Norway is a net external creditor) (2003 est.)
Oman
$5.973 billion (2003 est.)
Pakistan
$33.54 billion (2003 est.)
Palau
$0 (FY99/00)
Panama
$8.834 billion (2003 est.)
Papua New Guinea
$2.909 billion (2003 est.)
Paraguay
$2.96 billion (2003 est.)
Peru
$29.95 billion (2003 est.)
Philippines
$57.96 billion (2003)
Pitcairn Islands
NA
Poland
$86.82 billion (2003)
Portugal
$250.7 billion (2003 est.)
Puerto Rico
NA
Qatar
$17.5 billion (2003 est.)
Reunion
NA
Romania
$18.34 billion (2003 est.)
Russia
$175.9 billion (2003)
Rwanda
$1.3 billion (2000 est.)
Saint Helena
NA (1996)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
$171 million (2001)
Saint Lucia
$214 million (2000)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
NA (2003 est.)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
$167.2 million (2000)
Samoa
$197 million (2000)
San Marino
NA
Sao Tome and Principe
$318 million (2002)
Saudi Arabia
$39.16 billion (2003)
Senegal
$3.009 billion (2003 est.)
Serbia and Montenegro
$14.01 billion (2003 est.)
Seychelles
$213 million (2003 est.)
Sierra Leone
$1.5 billion (2002 est.)
Singapore
$15.06 billion (2003 est.)
Slovakia
$18.31 billion (2003 est.)
Slovenia
$11.33 billion (2003)
Solomon Islands
$162.5 million (2001 est.)
Somalia
$2.6 billion (2000 est.)
South Africa
$25.9 billion (2003 est.)
Spain
$718.4 billion (2003 est.)
Sri Lanka
$10.52 billion (2003)
Sudan
$16.09 billion (2003 est.)
Suriname
$321 million (2002 est.)
Swaziland
$320 million (2002 est.)
Sweden
$66.5 billion (1994)
Switzerland
NA (2000)
Syria
$21.55 billion (2003 est.)
Taiwan
$53.44 billion (2003)
Tajikistan
$1 billion (2002 est.)
Tanzania
$6.549 billion (2003 est.)
Thailand
$53.75 billion (2003 est.)
Togo
$1.4 billion (2000)
Tokelau
$0
Tonga
$63.4 million (2001)
Trinidad and Tobago
$2.608 billion (2003 est.)
Tunisia
$14.39 billion (2003 est.)
Turkey
$147.3 billion (2003)
Turkmenistan
$2.4 billion to $5 billion (2001 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands
NA (2002 est.)
Tuvalu
NA
Uganda
$3.818 billion (2003 est.)
Ukraine
$16.13 billion (2003)
United Arab Emirates
$20.71 billion (2003 est.)
United Kingdom
NA (2002 est.)
United States
$1.4 trillion (2001 est.)
Uruguay
$10.73 billion (2003)
Uzbekistan
$4.384 billion (2003 est.)
Vanuatu
$65.8 million (2001 est.)
Venezuela
$32.51 billion (2003)
Vietnam
$14.69 billion (2003)
Virgin Islands
NA
Wallis and Futuna
NA
West Bank
$108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.)
Western Sahara
NA
World
$2 trillion for less developed countries (2002 est.)
Yemen
$6.044 billion (2003)
Zambia
$5.281 billion (2003)
Zimbabwe
$3.404 billion (2003 est.)
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
======================================================================
@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
calendar year
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
East Timor
1 July - 30 June
Ecuador
calendar year
Egypt
1 July - 30 June
El Salvador
calendar year
Equatorial Guinea
1 January - 31 December
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 Guiana
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
Guadeloupe
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; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March,
but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year
Iran
21 March - 20 March
Iraq
calendar year
Ireland
calendar year
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
1 April - 31 March
Man, Isle of
1 April - 31 March
Marshall Islands
1 October - 30 September
Martinique
calendar year
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
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 July - 30 June
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
Reunion
calendar year
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
Serbia and Montenegro
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
1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December
2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00)
Tajikistan
calendar year
Tanzania
1 July - 30 June
Thailand
1 October - 30 September
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
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Uganda
1 July - 30 June
Ukraine
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United Arab Emirates
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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
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West Bank
calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Western Sahara
calendar year
Yemen
calendar year
Zambia
calendar year
Zimbabwe
1 January - 31 December
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
======================================================================
@2081 Flag description
Afghanistan
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and
green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem
features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left
and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above
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; 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 outer 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 staff and a war club
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; 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 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; the remaining 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
Baker Island
the flag of the US is used
Bangladesh
green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of
center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve
independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and
secondarily, the traditional color of Islam
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)
Bassas da India
the flag of France is used
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 ornamention in red
Belgium
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow,
and red; 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 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; 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; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white
stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a
wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a
ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and
1944 (liberation from Nazi control)
Burkina Faso
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with
a yellow five-pointed star in the center; 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 7
administrative divisions and 7 states
Burundi
divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and
bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer 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; only national flag
to incorporate a 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;
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
three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width),
white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light
blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the
hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower
blue bands
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; there
is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
Chad
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; 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; there is 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 stands for the
blood spilled to achieve independence; 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
the flag of Australia is used; note - in early
1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an
island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally
adopted as the official flag of the territory
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; 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 Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of
France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color
green are traditional symbols of Islam
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
light blue with a large yellow
five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six
small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side
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; 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; 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
red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of
arms (red and white checkered)
Cuba
five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; design
influenced by the US flag
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
horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red
crescent and red star on a white field
Czech Republic
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red
with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (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,
and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) 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
East Timor
red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist
side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that
extends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in the
center of the black triangle
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, Iraq, which has three green stars (plus
an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line 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
Europa Island
the flag of France is used
European Union
on a blue field, 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged
in a circle, 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 is 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 Guiana
the flag of France is used
French Polynesia
two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white
band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave
pattern on the lower half and 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
Glorioso Islands
the flag of France is used
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
Guadeloupe
the flag of France is used
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 crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter
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
Howland Island
the flag of the US is used
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
with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in
the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green
Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to
the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the
Persian Gulf crisis; 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
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
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
note: 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
Jarvis Island
the flag of the US is used
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
Johnston Atoll
the flag of the US is used
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
Juan de Nova Island
the flag of France is used
Kazakhstan
sky blue background representing the endless sky and a
gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a 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
Kingman Reef
the flag of the US is used
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
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 of red (top), white (double width),
and red with a green cedar tree centered in the white band
Lesotho
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the
upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield
with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band
with a green triangle in the corner
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
Man, Isle of
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
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
Martinique
a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by
a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the
flag of France is used for official occasions
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
the flag of France is used
Mexico
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in
its beak) 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
Midway Islands
the flag of the US is used
Moldova
same color scheme as Romania - 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
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)
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 large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper
left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower
right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is
contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
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 one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one 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
Palmyra Atoll
the flag of the US is used
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) and red with a
white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of
the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each
containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle
is a small yellow five-pointed star
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
Qatar
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on
the hoist side
Reunion
the flag of France is used
Romania
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the
yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also
resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
Russia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
Rwanda
three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width),
yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end
of the blue band
Saint Helena
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of
the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted
sailing ship
Saint Kitts and Nevis
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side
by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the
black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the
lower triangle is red
Saint Lucia
blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black
arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
a yellow sailing ship facing the hoist
side rides on a dark blue background with yellow wavy lines under
the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three
parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal
cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing
the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white
background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red
background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one
above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by
colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the
flag of France is used for official occasions
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
three vertical bands of blue (hoist
side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three
green diamonds arranged in a V pattern
Samoa
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant
bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern
Cross constellation
San Marino
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue
with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat
of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked
by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word
LIBERTAS (Liberty)
Sao Tome and Principe
three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow
(double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed
side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles
triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African
colors of Ethiopia
Saudi Arabia
green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the
Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as
"There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a
white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design
dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with
the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932
Senegal
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow,
and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow
band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Serbia and Montenegro
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top),
white, and red
Seychelles
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red,
white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Sierra Leone
three equal horizontal bands of light green (top),
white, and light blue
Singapore
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near
the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent
(closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five
white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Slovakia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist
side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Slovenia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red,
with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav,
Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the
center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and
rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an
inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the
Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th
and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist
side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands