Flags everyone knows

Germany

Germany lies in Central Europe, with the capital Berlin. It is the most populous country in the EU and a leading industrial nation.

💡 Did you know? The colours black-red-gold go back to the uniforms in the fight against Napoleon and the revolution of 1848.

France

France is the largest country in the EU by area, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, with the capital Paris. It is famed for its culture, cuisine and wine.

💡 Did you know? The blue-white-red tricolour arose in the French Revolution and became a model worldwide.

Italy

Italy juts into the Mediterranean as a boot-shaped peninsula, with the capital Rome. It is famous for art, cuisine and history.

💡 Did you know? Italy contains two independent microstates within it: the Vatican and San Marino.

Spain

Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula in south-west Europe, with the capital Madrid. It is known for flamenco, sun and coastline.

💡 Did you know? Madrid lies almost exactly at the geographical centre of Spain.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is an island nation off the north-west coast of Europe, with the capital London. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

💡 Did you know? The 'Union Jack' combines the crosses of the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland.

United States of America

The USA stretches across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with the capital Washington, D.C. It is one of the greatest economic and military powers in the world.

💡 Did you know? The 50 stars on the flag stand for the 50 states, the 13 stripes for the founding states.

Canada

Canada is the second-largest country on Earth, in northern America, with the capital Ottawa. It is known for vast forests and lakes.

💡 Did you know? The maple leaf on the flag is Canada's national symbol.

Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America, with the capital Brasília. It holds most of the Amazon rainforest.

💡 Did you know? The stars on the flag show the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the night the republic was proclaimed in 1889.

Japan

Japan is an island nation in the Pacific off the east coast of Asia, with the capital Tokyo. It blends ancient traditions with high tech.

💡 Did you know? The flag shows the rising sun: Japan calls itself the 'Land of the Rising Sun'.

China

China is one of the most populous countries in Asia and a major economic power, with the capital Beijing. It reaches from coasts to the Tibetan plateau.

💡 Did you know? The large star on the flag stands for the Communist Party, the four small ones for the people.

India

India is one of the most populous countries in the world, in South Asia, with the capital New Delhi. It reaches from the Himalayas to tropical coasts.

💡 Did you know? The blue wheel in the centre of the flag, the 'Ashoka Chakra', symbolises progress and eternal motion.

Russia

Russia is the largest country on Earth, spanning Europe and Asia, with the capital Moscow. It covers eleven time zones.

💡 Did you know? On the Trans-Siberian Railway you can cross Russia from Moscow to the Pacific in about a week.

Australia

Australia is both a country and a continent, surrounded by the sea, with the capital Canberra. Its interior is dry outback.

💡 Did you know? The flag shows the southern constellation of the Southern Cross and the British Union Jack.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe in the heart of the Alps, with the seat of government in Bern. It is known for neutrality, banking and chocolate.

💡 Did you know? Switzerland and the Vatican are the only countries with a square national flag.

Austria

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with the capital Vienna. Large parts are covered by the Alps.

💡 Did you know? The red-white-red flag is said to go back to a duke's blood-soaked tunic.

Netherlands

The Netherlands lies in Western Europe on the North Sea, with the capital Amsterdam. Large parts of the country lie below sea level.

💡 Did you know? A considerable part of the Netherlands was reclaimed from the sea by dykes and polders.

Sweden

Sweden is the largest of the Scandinavian countries, on the Baltic Sea, with the capital Stockholm. It is rich in forests and lakes.

💡 Did you know? The Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm every year.

Poland

Poland lies in Central Europe on the Baltic Sea, with the capital Warsaw. It is known for its turbulent history and old towns.

💡 Did you know? The white-and-red flag goes back to the white eagle on a red shield.

Turkey

Turkey lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia, on the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, with the capital Ankara. Istanbul links both continents.

💡 Did you know? Istanbul is the only major city in the world that lies on two continents.

South Africa

South Africa lies at the southern tip of Africa with coasts on both the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, and has three capitals. It is known for its diversity.

💡 Did you know? South Africa has three capitals (Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein) for its three branches of government.