blue, with the flag of the
UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and South
Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion rampant,
holding a torch; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left
and a Macaroni penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the
crest, and below the shield on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM
PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land)); the lion
with the torch represents the UK and discovery; the background of
the shield, blue and white estoiles, are found in the coat of arms
of James Cook, discoverer of the islands; all the outer supporting
animals represented are native to the islands
Spain
three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width),
and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the
yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of
the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left,
Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by
the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are
framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which
are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the
eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the
two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further
beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe; the triband
arrangement with the center stripe twice the width of the outer
dates to the 18th century
note: the red and yellow colors are related to those of the oldest
Spanish kingdoms: Aragon, Castile, Leon, and Navarre
Sri Lanka
yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other
larger panel depicts a yellow lion holding a sword on a dark red
rectangular field that also displays a yellow bo leaf in each
corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag
and extends between the two panels; the lion represents Sinhalese
ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the sword
demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves -
symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country - stand for
the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and
equanimity; orange signifies Sri Lankan Tamils, green the Sri Lankan
Moors; dark red represents the European Burghers, but also refers to
the rich colonial background of the country; yellow denotes other
ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag
Sudan
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; colors and
design based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I, but the
meanings of the colors are expressed as follows: red signifies the
struggle for freedom, white is the color of peace, light, and love,
black represents Sudan itself (in Arabic 'Sudan' means black), green
is the color of Islam, agriculture, and prosperity
Suriname
five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white,
red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); a large,
yellow, five-pointed star is centered in the red band; red stands
for progress and love; green symbolizes hope and fertility; white
signifies peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity
of all ethnic groups; from its yellow light the nation draws
strength to bear sacrifices patiently while working toward a golden
future
Svalbard
the flag of Norway is used
Swaziland
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width),
and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band
is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff
decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands
for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow
the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff
symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and
white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people
living in peaceful coexistence
Sweden
blue with a golden yellow 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); the colors reflect those
of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field
Switzerland
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the
center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various
medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white
cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation
is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)
Syria
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;
two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered
in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation
flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody
struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); identical
to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961) where the
two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; the
current design dates to 1980
note: similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band,
Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band,
and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the
white band
Taiwan
red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue and
white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates
to 1895; it was later adopted as the flag of the Kuomintang Party;
blue signifies liberty, justice, and democracy; red stands for
fraternity, sacrifice, and nationaliam, white represents equality,
frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays of the sun are
those of the months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each
ray equals two hours)
note: somewhat resembles the flag of Burma
Tajikistan
three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of
white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold,
five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe; red
represents the sun, victory, and the unity of the nation, white
stands for purity, cotton, and mountain snows, while green is the
color of Islam and the bounty of nature; the crown symbolizes the
Tajik people; the seven stars signify the Tajik magic word "seven" -
a symbol of perfection and the embodiment of happiness
Tanzania
divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the
lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green
and the lower triangle is blue; the banner combines colors found on
the flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; green represents the natural
vegetation of the country, gold its rich mineral deposits, black the
native Swahili people, and blue the country's many lakes and rivers,
as well as the Indian Ocean
Thailand
five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double
width), white, and red; the red color symbolizes the nation and the
blood of life; white represents religion and the purity of Buddhism;
blue stands for the monarchy
note: similar to the flag of Costa Rica but with the blue and red
colors reversed
Timor-Leste
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; a white star - pointing to the
upper hoist-side corner of the flag - is in the center of the black
triangle; yellow denotes the colonialism in Timor-Leste's past;
black represents the obscurantism that needs to be overcome; red
stands for the national liberation struggle; the white star
symbolizes peace and serves as a guiding light
Togo
five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom)
alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square
is in the upper hoist-side corner; the five horizontal stripes stand
for the five different regions of the country; the red square is
meant to express the loyalty and patriotism of the people; green
symbolizes hope, fertility, and agriculture; yellow represents
mineral wealth and faith that hard work and strength will bring
prosperity; the star symbolizes life, purity, peace, dignity, and
Togo's independence
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Tokelau
a yellow stylized Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails
toward the manu - the Southern Cross constellation of four, white,
five-pointed stars at the hoist side; the Southern Cross represents
the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture and symbolizes the
country's navigating into the future, the color yellow indicates
happiness and peace, and the blue field represents the ocean on
which the community relies
Tonga
red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner; the cross reflects the deep-rooted Christianity
in Tonga; red represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice;
white signifies purity
Trinidad and Tobago
red with a white-edged black diagonal band from
the upper hoist side to the lower fly side; the colors represent the
elements of earth, water, and fire; black stands for the wealth of
the land and the dedication of the people; white symbolizes the sea
surrounding the islands, the purity of the country's aspirations,
and equality; red symbolizes the warmth and energy of the sun, the
vitality of the land, and the courage and friendliness of its people
Tunisia
red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent
nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; resembles the Ottoman
flag (red banner with white crescent and star) and recalls Tunisia's
history as part of the Ottoman Empire; red represents the blood shed
by martyrs in the struggle against oppression, white stands for
peace; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam
note: the flag is based on that of Turkey, itself a successor state
to the Ottoman Empire
Turkey
red with a vertical white crescent moon (the closed portion
is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just
outside the crescent opening; the flag colors and designs closely
resemble those on the banner of Ottoman Empire, which preceded
modern-day Turkey; the crescent moon and star serve as insignia for
the Turks, as well as being traditional symbols of Islam; according
to legend, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a star
in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors
Turkmenistan
green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist
side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing
carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; five white stars
and a white crescent moon appear in the upper corner of the field
just to the fly side of the red stripe; the green color and crescent
moon represent Islam; the five stars symbolize the regions or
welayats of Turkmenistan; the guls reflect the national identity of
Turkmenistan where carpet-making has long been a part of traditional
nomadic life
note: the flag of Turkmenistan is the most intricate of all national
flags
Turks and Caicos Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer
half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a
spiny lobster, and Turks Head cactus - three common elements of the
islands' biota
Tuvalu
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country
with nine yellow, five-pointed stars on a blue field symbolizing the
nine atolls in the ocean
Uganda
six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red,
black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center
and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the
hoist side; black symbolizes the African people, yellow sunshine and
vitality, red African brotherhood; the crane was the military badge
of Ugandan soldiers under the UK
Ukraine
two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow
represent grain fields under a blue sky
United Arab Emirates
three equal horizontal bands of green (top),
white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side;
the flag incorporates all four Pan-Arab colors, which in this case
represent fertility (green), neutrality (white), petroleum resources
(black), and unity (red); red was the traditional color incorporated
into all flags of the emirates before their unification
United Kingdom
blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron
saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red
cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is
superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron
saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly
called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue
Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including
other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or
provinces, and British overseas territories
United States
13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars
arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and
bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent
the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies;
the blue stands for loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, and
friendship; red symbolizes courage, zeal, and fervency, while white
denotes purity and rectitude of conduct; commonly referred to by its
nickname of Old Glory
note: the design and colors have been the basis for a number of
other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
the flag of the US is
used
Uruguay
nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom)
alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner
with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with
16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy; the stripes
represent the nine original departments of Uruguay; the sun symbol
evokes the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May
1810 as independence was first declared from Spain (Uruguay
subsequently won its independence from Brazil)
note: the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina
and by the design of the US flag
Uzbekistan
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and
green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon
(closed side to the hoist) and 12 white stars shifted to the hoist
on the top band; blue is the color of the Turkic peoples and of the
sky, white signifies peace and the striving for purity in thoughts
and deeds, while green represents nature and is the color of Islam;
the red stripes are the vital force of all living organisms that
links good and pure ideas with the eternal sky and with deeds on
earth; the crescent represents Islam and the 12 stars the months and
constellations of the Uzbek calendar
Vanuatu
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by
a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two
points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle);
centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed
namele fern fronds, all in yellow; red represents the blood of boars
and men, green the richness of the islands, and black the ni-Vanuatu
people; the yellow Y-shape - which reflects the pattern of the
islands in the Pacific Ocean - symbolizes the light of the Gospel
spreading through the islands; the boar's tusk is a symbol of
prosperity frequently worn as a pendant on the islands; the fern
fronds represent peace
Venezuela
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and
red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and
an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band;
the flag retains the three equal horizontal bands and three main
colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic
that broke up in 1830; yellow is interpreted as standing for the
riches of the land, blue for the courage of its people, and red for
the blood shed in attaining independence; the seven stars on the
original flag represented the seven provinces in Venezuela that
united in the war of independence; in 2006, President Hugo CHAVEZ
ordered an eighth star added to the star arc - a decision that
sparked much controversy
Vietnam
red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the
center; red symbolizes revolution and blood, the five-pointed star
represents the five elements of the populace - peasants, workers,
intellectuals, traders, and soldiers - that unite to build socialism
Virgin Islands
white field with a modified US coat of arms in the
center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms
shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in its right talon and
three arrows in the left with a superimposed shield of seven red and
six white vertical stripes below a blue panel; white is a symbol of
purity, the letters stand for the Virgin Islands
Wake Island
the flag of the US is used
Wallis and Futuna
unofficial, local flag has a red field with four
white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three
native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes
of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each
other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the
upper hoist quadrant
note: the design is derived from an original red banner with a white
cross pattee that was introduced in the 19th century by French
missionaries; the flag of France used for official occasions
Yemen
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;
the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent
oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be
replaced by a bright future (white)
note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the
white band, and of Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in
the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a
heraldic eagle centered in the white band
Zambia
green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red
(hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the
outer edge of the flag; green stands for the country's natural
resources and vegetation, red symbolizes the struggle for freedom,
black the people of Zambia, and orange the country's mineral wealth;
the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's
problems
Zimbabwe
seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black,
red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in
black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird
representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a
red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which
symbolizes peace; green represents agriculture, yellow mineral
wealth, red the blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands
for the native people
======================================================================
@2085
Field Listing :: Roadways
This entry gives the total length of the road network and includes
the length of the paved and unpaved portions.
Country Comparison to the World
Country
Roadways(km)
Afghanistan
total: 42,150 km
paved: 12,350 km
unpaved: 29,800 km (2006)
Albania
total: 18,000 km
paved: 7,020 km
unpaved: 10,980 km (2002)
Algeria
total: 108,302 km
paved: 76,028 km (includes 645 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,274 km (2004)
American Samoa
total: 241 km (2008)
Andorra
total: 320 km (2008)
Angola
total: 51,429 km
paved: 5,349 km
unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
Anguilla
total: 175 km
paved: 82 km
unpaved: 93 km (2004)
Antigua and Barbuda
total: 1,165 km
paved: 384 km
unpaved: 781 km (2002)
Argentina
total: 231,374 km
paved: 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways)
unpaved: 161,962 km (2004)
Armenia
total: 8,888 km
paved: 7,079 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,809 km (2008)
Australia
total: 812,972 km
paved: 341,448 km
unpaved: 471,524 km (2004)
Austria
total: 107,262 km
paved: 107,262 km (includes 1,696 km of expressways) (2006)
Azerbaijan
total: 59,141 km
paved: 29,210 km
unpaved: 29,931 km (2004)
Bahamas, The
total: 2,717 km
paved: 1,560 km
unpaved: 1,157 km (2002)
Bahrain
total: 3,851 km
paved: 3,121 km
unpaved: 730 km (2007)
Bangladesh
total: 239,226 km
paved: 22,726 km
unpaved: 216,500 km (2003)
Barbados
total: 1,600 km
paved: 1,600 km (2004)
Belarus
total: 94,797 km
paved: 84,028 km
unpaved: 10,769 km (2005)
Belgium
total: 152,256 km
paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways)
unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)
Belize
total: 3,007 km
paved: 575 km
unpaved: 2,432 km (2006)
Benin
total: 16,000 km
paved: 1,400 km
unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)
Bermuda
total: 447 km
paved: 447 km
note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)
Bhutan
total: 8,050 km
paved: 4,991 km
unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)
Bolivia
total: 62,479 km
paved: 3,749 km
unpaved: 58,730 km (2004)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
total: 21,846 km
paved: 11,425 km (4,714 km of interurban roads)
unpaved: 10,421 km (2006)
Botswana
total: 25,798 km
paved: 8,410 km
unpaved: 17,388 km (2005)
Brazil
total: 1,751,868 km
paved: 96,353 km
unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)
British Indian Ocean Territory
note: short section of paved road
between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
British Virgin Islands
total: 200 km
paved: 200 km (2007)
Brunei
total: 2,971 km
paved: 2,411 km
unpaved: 560 km (2008)
Bulgaria
total: 40,231 km
paved: 39,587 km (includes 418 km of expressways)
unpaved: 644 km (2008)
Burkina Faso
total: 92,495 km
paved: 3,857 km
unpaved: 88,638 km (2004)
Burma
total: 27,000 km
paved: 3,200 km
unpaved: 23,800 km (2006)
Burundi
total: 12,322 km
paved: 1,286 km
unpaved: 11,036 km (2004)
Cambodia
total: 38,093 km
paved: 2,977 km
unpaved: 35,116 km (2007)
Cameroon
total: 50,000 km
paved: 5,000 km
unpaved: 45,000 km (2004)
Canada
total: 1,042,300 km
paved: 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways)
unpaved: 626,700 km (2008)
Cape Verde
total: 1,350 km
paved: 932 km
unpaved: 418 km (2000)
Cayman Islands
total: 785 km
paved: 785 km (2007)
Central African Republic
total: 24,307 km (2000)
Chad
total: 33,400 km
paved: 267 km
unpaved: 33,133 km (2002)
Chile
total: 80,505 km
paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways)
unpaved: 63,760 km (2004)
China
total: 3,583,715 km (includes 53,913 km of expressways) (2007)
Christmas Island
total: 140 km
paved: 30 km
unpaved: 110 km (2007)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
total: 22 km
paved: 10 km
unpaved: 12 km (2007)
Colombia
total: 164,257 km (2005)
Comoros
total: 880 km
paved: 673 km
unpaved: 207 km (2002)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
total: 153,497 km
paved: 2,794 km
unpaved: 150,703 km (2004)
Congo, Republic of the
total: 17,289 km
paved: 864 km
unpaved: 16,425 km (2004)
Cook Islands
total: 320 km
paved: 33 km
unpaved: 287 km (2003)
Costa Rica
total: 35,330 km
paved: 8,621 km
unpaved: 26,709 km (2004)
Cote d'Ivoire
total: 80,000 km
paved: 6,500 km
unpaved: 73,500 km
note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt
roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are
impassable (2006)
Croatia
total: 29,248 km (includes 1,043 km of expressways) (2008)
Cuba
total: 60,858 km
paved: 29,820 km (includes 638 km of expressway)
unpaved: 31,038 km (2000)
Curacao
total: 550 km
Cyprus
total: 14,671 km
12,321 km under government control (includes 257 km of expressways),
2,350 km administered by Turkish Cypriots (2008)
Czech Republic
total: 128,582 km
paved: 128,582 km (includes 691 km of expressways) (2008)
Denmark
total: 73,197 km
paved: 73,197 km (includes 1,111 km of expressways) (2008)
Djibouti
total: 3,065 km
paved: 1,226 km
unpaved: 1,839 km (2000)
Dominica
total: 780 km
paved: 393 km
unpaved: 387 km (2000)
Dominican Republic
total: 19,705 km
paved: 9,872 km
unpaved: 9,833 km (2002)
Ecuador
total: 43,670 km
paved: 6,472 km
unpaved: 37,198 km (2006)
Egypt
total: 65,050 km
paved: 47,500 km
unpaved: 17,550 km (2009)
El Salvador
total: 10,886 km
paved: 2,827 km (includes 327 km of expressways)
unpaved: 8,059 km (2000)
Equatorial Guinea
total: 2,880 km (2000)
Eritrea
total: 4,010 km
paved: 874 km
unpaved: 3,136 km (2000)
Estonia
total: 58,034 km
paved: 34,936 km (includes 104 km of expressways)
unpaved: 23,098 km (2009)
Ethiopia
total: 36,469 km
paved: 6,980 km
unpaved: 29,489 km (2004)
European Union
total: 5,919,704 km (2008)