Y (continued 63)

Senegal chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Soulayemane Ndene NDIAYE (since 1 May 2009) 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 (eligible for a second term) under new constitution; election last held on 25 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdoulaye WADE reelected president; percent of vote - Abdoulaye WADE 55.9%, Idrissa SECK 14.9%, Ousmane Tanor DIENG 13.6%, Moustapha NIASSE 5.9%, other 9.7%

Serbia chief of state: President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Mirko CVETKOVIC (since 7 July 2008) cabinet: Republican Ministries act as cabinet elections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister elected by the National Assembly election results: Boris TADIC elected president in the second round of voting; Boris TADIC received 51.2% of the vote and Tomislav NIKOLIC 48.8%

Seychelles chief of state: President James Alix 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) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 53.7%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.7%, Philippe BOULLE 0.6%; note - this was the first election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004

Sierra Leone chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007) 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 (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4%

Singapore chief of state: President S R NATHAN (since 1 September 1999) note: uses S R NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Huan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005) cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president election results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN was appointed president in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified three other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held

Sint Maarten chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Eugene HOLIDAY (since 10 October 2010) head of government: Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS (since 10 October 2010) cabinet: Cabinet elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the legislature

Slovakia chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Iveta RADICOVA (since 8 July 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Jan FIGEL, Ivan MIKLOS, Jozef MIHAL, Rudolf CHMEL (since 9 July 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5%

Slovenia chief of state: President Danilo TURK (since 22 December 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Borut PAHOR (since 7 November 2008) 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 (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 October and 11 November 2007 (next to be held on 8 October 2012); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held on 21 September 2008 (next National Assembly elections to be held in 8 October 2012) election results: Danilo TURK elected president; percent of vote - Danilo TURK 68.2%, Alojze PETERLE 31.8%; Borut PAHOR elected prime minister by National Assembly vote

Solomon Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Frank KABUI (since 7 July 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Danny PHILIP (since 25 August 2010) 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: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of parliament for up to five years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition 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: Transitional Federal President Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (since 31 January 2009); note - a transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; the TFIs relocated to Somalia in June 2004; in 2009, the TFI's were given a two-year extension to October 2011 head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed FARMAJO (since 1 November 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly election results: Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed elected president by the expanded Transitional Federal Assembly in Djibouti

South Africa chief of state: President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Executive Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 11 May 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jacob ZUMA (since 9 May 2009); Executive Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE (since 11 May 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Jacob ZUMA elected president; National Assembly vote - Jacob ZUMA 277, Mvume DANDALA 47, other 76

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 (Prime Minister equivalent) Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First Vice President (and Minister of the Interior) Alfredo Perez RUBALCABA (since 20 October 2010), Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Elena SALGADO Mendez (since 8 April 2009), and Third Vice President (and Minister of Regional Affairs) Manuel CHAVES Gonzalez (since 8 April 2009) 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 monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly; election last held on 9 and 11 April 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president election results: Jose Luis Rodriguez ZAPATERO reelected President of the Government; percent of National Assembly vote - 46.9%

Sri Lanka chief of state: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Dissanayake Mudiyanselage JAYARATNE holds the largely ceremonial title of prime minister (since 21 April 2010) head of government: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (two-term limit); election last held on 26 January 2010 (next to be held in 2016) election results: Mahinda RAJAPAKSA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSA 57.88%, Sarath FONSEKA 40.15%, other 1.97%

Sudan chief of state: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993) 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: election on 11-15 April 2010; next to be held in 2015 election results: Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR 68.2%, Yasir ARMAN 21.7%, Abdullah Deng NHIAL 3.9%, others 6.2% note: al-BASHIR assumed power as chairman of Sudan's Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation (RCC) in June 1989 and served concurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime minister, and minister of defense until mid-October 1993 when he was appointed president by the RCC; he was elected president by popular vote for the first time in March 1996

Suriname chief of state: President Desire Delano BOUTERSE (since 12 August 2010); Vice President Robert AMEERALI (since 12 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Desire Delano BOUTERSE (since 12 August 2010); Vice President Robert AMEERALI (since 12 August 2010) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held on 19 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015) election results: Desire Delano BOUTERSE elected president; percent of vote - Desire Delano BOUTERSE 70.6%, Chandrikapersad SATOKHI 25.5%, other 3.9%

Svalbard chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991) head of government: Governor Odd Olsen INGERO (since September 2009); Assistant Governor Lars FAUSE (since September 2008) elections: none; the monarchy 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 Barnabas Sibusiso DLAMINI (since 16 October 2008) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly

Sweden chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Jan BJORKLUND (since 5 October 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister

Switzerland chief of state: President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline CALMY-REY (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMPF (since 1 January 2011); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government representing the Federal Council; the Federal Council is the formal chief of state and head of government whose council members, rotating in one-year terms as federal president, represent the Council head of government: President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline CALMY-REY (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMPF (since 1 January 2011) cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) is elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 8 December 2010 (next to be held in early December 2011) election results: Micheline CALMY-REY elected president; number of Federal Assembly votes - 106 of 189; Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMPF elected vice president; current Vice President Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMPF is slated to become president on 1 January 2012

Syria chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 11 February 2006) oversees foreign policy; Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003); Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdallah al-DARDARI (since 14 June 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits); referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers election results: Bashar al-ASAD approved as president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.6%

Taiwan chief of state: President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President Vincent SIEW (since 20 May 2008) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) WU Den-yih (since 10 September 2009); Vice Premier (Vice President of Executive Yuan) Sean CHEN (since 17 May 2010) cabinet: Executive Yuan - (ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou 58.45%, Frank HSIEH 41.55%

Tajikistan chief of state: President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2013); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON 79.3%, Olimjon BOBOEV 6.2%, other 14.5%

Tanzania chief of state: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jakaya KIKWETE (since 21 December 2005); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001) note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Ali Mohamed SHEIN elected to that office on 31 October 2010, sworn in 3 November 2010 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 October 2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Jakaya KIKWETE elected president; percent of vote - Jakaya KIKWETE 61.2%, Wilbrod SLAA 26.3%, Ibrahim LIPUMBA 8.1%, other 4.5%

Thailand chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SUTHEP Thueaksuban, also spelled SUTHEP Thaugsuban (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister TRAIRONG Suwannakhiri (since 18 January 2010) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king elections: the monarchy is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, the prime minister elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, the leader of the party positioned to organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister by appointment by the king; the prime minister limited to two four-year terms

Timor-Leste chief of state: President Jose RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2007); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007), note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis GUTERRES (since 8 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 April 2007 with run-off on 8 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012); following elections, president appoints leader of majority party or majority coalition as prime minister election results: Jose RAMOS-HORTA elected president; percent of vote - Jose RAMOS-HORTA 69.2%, Francisco GUTTERES 30.8%

Togo chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005); head of government: Prime Minister Gilbert HOUNGBO (since 7 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 4 March 2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Faure GNASSINGBE reelected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.9%, Jean-Pierre FABRE 33.9%, Yawovi AGBOYIBO 3%, other 2.2%

Tokelau chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); New Zealand is represented by Administrator David PAYTON (since 17 October 2006) head of government: Foua TOLOA (since 21 February 2009); note - position rotates annually among the 3 Faipule (village leaders) cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of 3 Faipule (village leaders) and 3 Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet elections: the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term

Tonga chief of state: King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO (since 22 December 2010) cabinet: Cabinet is nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch note: there is also a Privy Council that advises the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament and appointed by the monarch election results: Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO elected by parliament on 21 December 2010 with 14 of 26 votes

Trinidad and Tobago chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR (since 26 May 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA

Tunisia chief of state: President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a fifth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 89.6%, Mohamed BOUCHIHA 5%, Ahmed INOUBLI 3.8%, Ahmed BRAHIM 1.6%; voter turnout 89.4%

Turkey chief of state: President Abdullah GUL (since 28 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister elections: president elected directly for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament election results: on 28 August 2007 the National Assembly elected Abdullah GUL president on the third ballot; National Assembly vote - 339 note: in October 2007 Turkish voters approved a referendum package of constitutional amendments including a provision for direct presidential elections

Turkmenistan chief of state: President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 11 February 2007 (next to be held in February 2012) election results: Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW elected president; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW 89.2%, Amanyaz ATAJYKOW 3.2%, other candidates 7.6%

Turks and Caicos Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008) head of government: Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 14 August 2009); note - the office of premier is suspended by the Order in Council, effective 14 August 2009 cabinet: under provisions of the Order in Council, the cabinet is suspended effective 14 August 2009 and replaced by an Advisory Council appointed by the governor elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch note: following an investigation into allegations of widespread corruption and misconduct within the Turks and Caicos Government, the UK foreign minister directed the governor to bring into effect on 14 August 2009 an Order in Council suspending Ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and imposing direct rule for a period of up to two years

Tuvalu chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Iakoba TAEIA Italeli (since May 2010) head of government: Prime Minister Willie TELAVI (since 24 December 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarchy 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 following parliamentary elections election results: Willie TELAVI elected prime minister in a parliamentary election on 24 December 2010 following a no-confidence vote on 21 December 2010 that ousted Maatia TOAFA

Uganda chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 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 on 26 January 1986); Prime Minister Apolo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 23 February 2006 (next to be held on 18 February 2011) election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 59.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 37.4%, other 3.3%

Ukraine chief of state: President Viktor YANUKOVYCH (since 25 February 2010) head of government: Prime Minister Mykola AZAROV (since 11 March 2010); First Deputy Prime Minister Andriy KLYUYEV (since 11 March 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Borys KOLESNIKOV, Serhiy TIHIPKO, Viktor TYKHONOV (all since 11 March 2010) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the president and approved by the Rada note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a Presidential Administration helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 January 2010 with runoff on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in 2015) election results: Viktor YANUKOVYCH elected president; percent of vote - Viktor YANUKOVYCH 48.95%, Yuliya TYMOSHENKO 45.5%

United Arab Emirates chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SAIF bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 11 May 2009) and MANSUR bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 11 May 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits) from among the seven FSC members; election last held 3 November 2009 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next election NA); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum unanimously affirmed vice president after the 2006 death of his brother Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid Al-Maktum

United Kingdom chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister David CAMERON (since 11 May 2010) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually the prime minister

United States chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held on 6 November 2012) election results: Barack H. OBAMA elected president; percent of popular vote - Barack H. OBAMA 52.4%, John MCCAIN 46.3%, other 1.3%;

Uruguay chief of state: President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) election results: Jose "Pepe" MUJICA elected president; percent of vote - Jose "Pepe" MUJICA 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%

Uzbekistan chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet; elected president of independent Uzbekistan in 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Asliddin RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom T0SHMUHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6%

Vanuatu chief of state: President Iolu Johnson ABBIL (since 3 September 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 2 December 2010); note - Edward NATAPEI loses office in a no confidence vote on 2 December 2010 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 on 2 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held on 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012) election results: Iolu Johnson ABBIL elected president, with 41 votes out of 58, on the third ballot on 2 September 2009

Venezuela chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Elias JAUA Milano (since 26 January 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Elias JAUA Milano (since 26 January 2010) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for unlimited reelection); election last held on 3 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2012) note: in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution; in 2009, a national referendum approved the elimination of term limits on all elected officials, including the presidency election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 62.9%, Manuel ROSALES 36.9%

Vietnam chief of state: President Nguyen Minh TRIET (since 27 June 2006); Vice President Nguyen Thi DOAN (since 25 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June 2006); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh HUNG (since 28 June 2006), Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung HAI (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien NHAN (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia KHIEM (since 28 June 2006), and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh TRONG (since 28 June 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime minister and confirmed by National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last election held 27 June 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly election results: Nguyen Minh TRIET elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 94%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 92%

Virgin Islands chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: NA elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2014) election results: John DeJONGH reelected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 56.3%, Kenneth MAPP 43.6%

Wallis and Futuna chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Administrator Michel JEANJEAN (since 10 June 2010) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Victor BRIAL (since 11 December 2007) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of 3 kings and 3 members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are 3 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 elected by the members of the assembly

Western Sahara none

Yemen chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad MUJAWWAR (since 31 March 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held on 20 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2013); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 77.2%, Faysal BIN SHAMLAN 21.8%

Zambia chief of state: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008); note - President BANDA was acting president during the illness leading up to the death of President Levy MWANAWASA on 18 August 2008, he was then elected president on 30 October 2008 to serve out the remainder of MWANAWASA's term; the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rupiah BANDA (since 19 August 2008); Vice President George KUNDA (since 14 November 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 30 October 2008 (next to be held in 2011); vice president appointed by the president; note - due to the death of former President Levy MWANAWASA, early elections were held to identify a replacement to serve out the remainder of his term election results: Rupiah BANDA elected president; percent of vote - Rupiah BANDA 40.1%, Michael SATA 38.1%, Hakainde HICHILEMA 19.7%, Godfrey MIYANDA 0.8%, other 1.3%

Zimbabwe chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Vice President John NKOMO (since December 2009) and Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Morgan TSVANGIRAI (since 11 February 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Arthur MUTAMBARA cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and prime minister; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); elections last held on 28 March 2008 followed by a run-off on 27 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013); co-vice presidents drawn from party leadership election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 85.5%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 9.3%, other 5.2%; note - first round voting results - Morgan TSVANGIRAI 47.9%, Robert Gabriel MUGABE 43.2%, Simba MAKONI 8.3%, other 0.6%; first-round round polls were deemed to be flawed suppressing TSVANGIRAI's results; the 27 June 2008 run-off between MUGABE and TSVANGIRAI was severely flawed and internationally condemned

======================================================================

@2078

Field Listing :: Exports

This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Country Comparison to the World Country

Exports

Afghanistan $547 million (2009 est.) $603 million (2008 est.); note - not including illicit exports or reexports

Albania $1.339 billion (2010 est.) $1.048 billion (2009 est.)

Algeria $52.66 billion (2010 est.) $43.69 billion (2009 est.)

American Samoa $445.6 million (FY04 est.)

Andorra $89.5 million (2008) $117.1 million (2007)

Angola $51.65 billion (2010 est.) $40.08 billion (2009 est.)

Anguilla $119.5 million (2009 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda $84.3 million (2007 est.)

Argentina $68.01 billion (2010 est.) $55.67 billion (2009 est.)

Armenia $846 million (2010 est.) $722.3 million (2009 est.)

Aruba $124 million (2006); note - includes oil reexports

Australia $210.7 billion (2010 est.) $154.8 billion (2009 est.)

Austria $157.4 billion (2010 est.) $135.7 billion (2009 est.)

Azerbaijan $28.07 billion (2010 est.) $21.1 billion (2009 est.)

Bahamas, The $674 million (2006)

Bahrain $15.13 billion (2010 est.) $12.05 billion (2009 est.)

Bangladesh $16.24 billion (2010) $15.58 billion (2009)

Barbados $385 million (2006)

Belarus $24.49 billion (2010 est.) $21.34 billion (2009 est.)

Belgium $279.2 billion (2010 est.) $261.1 billion (2009 est.)

Belize $404 million (2010 est.) $381.9 million (2009 est.)

Benin $1.125 billion (2010 est.) $994 million (2009 est.)

Bermuda $763 million (2006)

Bhutan $513 million (2008) $350 million (2006)

Bolivia $6.058 billion (2010 est.) $4.848 billion (2009 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina $4.787 billion (2010 est.) $4.057 billion (2009 est.)

Botswana $4.419 billion (2010 est.) $3.385 billion (2009 est.)

Brazil $199.7 billion (2010 est.) $153 billion (2009 est.)

British Virgin Islands $25.3 million (2002)

Brunei $10.67 billion (2008) $8.25 billion (2007)

Bulgaria $19.33 billion (2010 est.) $16.53 billion (2009 est.)

Burkina Faso $991 million (2010 est.) $772 million (2009 est.)

Burma $7.841 billion (2010 est.) $6.862 billion (2009 est.) note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh

Burundi $71 million (2010 est.) $68 million (2009 est.)

Cambodia $5.212 billion (2010 est.) $4.302 billion (2009 est.)

Cameroon $4.371 billion (2010 est.) $4.079 billion (2009 est.)

Canada $406.8 billion (2010 est.) $323.3 billion (2009 est.)

Cape Verde $114 million (2010 est.) $105 million (2009 est.)

Cayman Islands $13.8 million (2008) $2.52 million (2004)

Central African Republic $146.7 million (2007 est.)

Chad $3.036 billion (2010 est.) $2.709 billion (2009 est.)

Chile $64.28 billion (2010 est.) $53.74 billion (2009 est.)

China $1.506 trillion (2010 est.) $1.204 trillion (2009 est.)

Christmas Island $NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands $NA

Colombia $40.24 billion (2010 est.) $34.03 billion (2009 est.)

Comoros $32 million (2006)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the $3.8 billion (2009 est.) $6.6 billion (2008 est.)

Congo, Republic of the $9.2 billion (2010 est.) $7.425 billion (2009 est.)

Cook Islands $5.222 million (2005)

Costa Rica $10.01 billion (2010 est.) $8.847 billion (2009 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire $10.25 billion (2010 est.) $10.5 billion (2009 est.)

Croatia $11.51 billion (2010 est.) $10.72 billion (2009 est.)

Cuba $3.311 billion (2010 est.) $2.879 billion (2009 est.)

Curacao $876 million (2008 est.) note: excludes oil

Cyprus $2.232 billion (2010 est.) $2.065 billion (2009 est.)

Czech Republic $116.5 billion (2010 est.) $112.6 billion (2009 est.)

Denmark $99.37 billion (2010 est.) $91.51 billion (2009 est.)

Djibouti $100 million (2009); $340 million

Dominica $94 million (2006)

Dominican Republic $6.161 billion (2010 est.) $5.462 billion (2009 est.)

Ecuador $17.37 billion (2010 est.) $14.35 billion (2009 est.)

Egypt $25.34 billion (2010 est.) $23.09 billion (2009 est.)

El Salvador $4.377 billion (2010 est.) $3.797 billion (2009)

Equatorial Guinea $10.24 billion (2010 est.) $8.495 billion (2009 est.)

Eritrea $25 million (2010 est.) $20 million (2009 est.)

Estonia $10.77 billion (2010 est.) $9.08 billion (2009 est.)

Ethiopia $1.729 billion (2010 est.) $1.636 billion (2009 est.)

European Union $1.952 trillion (2007) $1.33 trillion (2005) note: external exports, excluding intra-EU trade

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $125 million (2004 est.)

Faroe Islands $848 million (2008) $634 million (2006)

Fiji $1.202 billion (2006)

Finland $73.53 billion (2010 est.) $62.69 billion (2009 est.)

France $508.7 billion (2010 est.) $473.9 billion (2009 est.)

French Polynesia $211 million (2005 est.)

Gabon $6.803 billion (2010 est.) $6.04 billion (2009 est.)

Gambia, The $107 million (2010 est.) $95 million (2009 est.)

Georgia $2.29 billion (2010 est.) $1.893 billion (2009 est.)

Germany $1.337 trillion (2010 est.) $1.145 trillion (2009 est.)

Ghana $7.326 billion (2010 est.) $5.84 billion (2009 est.)

Gibraltar $271 million (2004 est.)

Greece $21.14 billion (2010 est.) $21.34 billion (2009 est.)

Greenland $485 million (2008) $428 million (2007)

Grenada $38 million (2006)

Guam $45 million (2004 est.)

Guatemala $8.47 billion (2010 est.) $7.214 billion (2009)

Guernsey $NA

Guinea $1.468 billion (2010 est.) $1.18 billion (2009 est.)

Guinea-Bissau $133 million (2006)

Guyana $814 million (2010 est.) $763 million (2009 est.)

Haiti $559 million (2010 est.) $551 million (2009 est.)

Honduras $5.879 billion (2010 est.) $5.09 billion (2009 est.)

Hong Kong $382.6 billion (2010 est.) $321.8 billion (2009 est.)

Hungary $93.74 billion (2010 est.) $82.1 billion (2009 est.)

Iceland $4.619 billion (2010 est.) $4.05 billion (2009 est.)

India $201 billion (2010 est.) $168.2 billion (2009 est.)

Indonesia $146.3 billion (2010 est.) $119.5 billion (2009 est.)

Iran $78.69 billion (2010 est.) $69.04 billion (2009 est.)

Iraq $49.1 billion (2010 est.) $40.86 billion (2009 est.)

Ireland $115.7 billion (2010 est.) $107.3 billion (2009 est.)

Isle of Man $NA

Israel $54.31 billion (2010 est.) $45.9 billion (2009 est.)

Italy $458.4 billion (2010 est.) $407.2 billion (2009 est.)

Jamaica $1.487 billion (2010 est.) $1.263 billion (2009 est.)

Japan $735.8 billion (2010 est.) $545.3 billion (2009 est.)

Jersey $NA

Jordan $7.333 billion (2010 est.) $6.366 billion (2009 est.)

Kazakhstan $59.23 billion (2010 est.) $43.84 billion (2009 est.)

Kenya $5.141 billion (2010 est.) $4.459 billion (2009 est.)

Kiribati $17 million (2004 est.)

Korea, North $1.997 billion (2009) $2.062 billion (2008)

Korea, South $466.3 billion (2010 est.) $373.6 billion (2009 est.)

Kosovo $527 million (2007 est.)

Kuwait $65.03 billion (2010 est.) $50.34 billion (2009 est.)

Kyrgyzstan $1.682 billion (2010 est.) $1.726 billion (2009 est.)

Laos $1.215 billion (2010 est.) $1.104 billion (2009 est.)

Latvia $7.894 billion (2010 est.) $7.223 billion (2009 est.)

Lebanon $5.187 billion (2010 est.) $4.716 billion (2009 est.)

Lesotho $985 million (2010 est.) $821 million (2009 est.)

Liberia $1.197 billion (2006)

Libya $44.89 billion (2010 est.) $37.16 billion (2009 est.)

Liechtenstein $3.92 billion (2008)

Lithuania $19.29 billion (2010 est.) $16.48 billion (2009 est.)

Luxembourg $17.82 billion (2010 est.) $15.5 billion (2009 est.)

Macau $950 million (2009 est.) $2 billion (2008); note - includes reexports

Macedonia $3.171 billion (2010 est.) $2.686 billion (2009 est.)

Madagascar $1.412 billion (2010 est.) $1.309 billion (2009 est.)

Malawi $1.189 billion (2010 est.) $912 million (2009 est.)

Malaysia $192.8 billion (2010 est.) $157.5 billion (2009 est.)

Maldives $88 million (2009 est.) $125 million (2008 est.)

Mali $294 million (2006)

Malta $2.954 billion (2010 est.) $2.383 billion (2009 est.)

Marshall Islands $19.4 million (2008 est.) $9.1 million (2000 est.)

Mauritania $1.395 billion (2006)

Mauritius $2.041 billion (2010 est.) $1.942 billion (2009 est.)

Mayotte $6.5 million (2005)

Mexico $303 billion (2010 est.) $229.8 billion (2009 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of $14 million (2004 est.)

Moldova $1.45 billion (2010 est.) $1.332 billion (2009 est.)

Monaco $716.3 million (2005) note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France

Mongolia $1.902 billion (2009) $2.539 billion (2008)

Montenegro $171.3 million (2003)

Montserrat $700,000 (2001 est.)

Morocco $14.49 billion (2010 est.) $13.92 billion (2009 est.)

Mozambique $2.517 billion (2010 est.) $1.947 billion (2009 est.)

Namibia $4.277 billion (2010 est.) $3.535 billion (2009 est.)

Nauru $64,000 (2005 est.)

Nepal $849 million (2009) $907 million (2008)

Netherlands $451.3 billion (2010 est.) $421.3 billion (2009 est.)

New Caledonia $1.341 billion (2006)

New Zealand $33.24 billion (2010 est.) $25.35 billion (2009 est.)

Nicaragua $3.182 billion (2010 est.) $2.593 billion (2009 est.)

Niger $428 million (2006)

Nigeria $76.33 billion (2010 est.) $59.32 billion (2009 est.)

Niue $201,400 (2004)

Norfolk Island $1.5 million (FY91/92)

Northern Mariana Islands $98.2 million (2008)

Norway $137 billion (2010 est.) $122 billion (2009 est.)

Oman $36.12 billion (2010 est.) $27.65 billion (2009 est.)

Pakistan $20.29 billion (2010 est.) $18.33 billion (2009 est.)

Palau $5.882 million (2004 est.)

Panama $12.52 billion (2010 est.) $10.9 billion (2009 est.) note: includes the Colon Free Zone

Papua New Guinea $5.976 billion (2010 est.) $4.392 billion (2009 est.)

Paraguay $7.606 billion (2010 est.) $5.784 billion (2009 est.)

Peru $33.73 billion (2010 est.) $26.88 billion (2009 est.)

Philippines $45.89 billion (2010 est.) $37.51 billion (2009 est.)

Pitcairn Islands $NA

Poland $160.8 billion (2010 est.) $142.1 billion (2009 est.)

Portugal $46.27 billion (2010 est.) $44.49 billion (2009 est.)

Puerto Rico $46.9 billion (2001)

Qatar $57.82 billion (2010 est.) $33.28 billion (2009 est.)

Romania $51.91 billion (2010 est.) $40.6 billion (2009 est.)

Russia $376.7 billion (2010 est.) $303.4 billion (2009 est.)

Rwanda $226 million (2010 est.) $193 million (2009 est.)

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha $19 million (2004 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis $84 million (2006)

Saint Lucia $288 million (2006)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon $5.5 million (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $193 million (2006)

Samoa $131 million (2006)

San Marino $4.628 billion (2007) $1.291 billion (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe $13 million (2010 est.) $10 million (2009 est.)

Saudi Arabia $235.3 billion (2010 est.) $192.3 billion (2009 est.)

Senegal $2.112 billion (2010 est.) $1.902 billion (2009 est.)

Serbia $9.372 billion (2010 est.) $8.368 billion (2009 est.)

Seychelles $464 million (2010 est.) $432.5 million (2009 est.)

Sierra Leone $216 million (2006)

Singapore $358.3 billion (2010 est.) $273.4 billion (2009 est.)

Slovakia $64.18 billion (2010 est.) $55.32 billion (2009 est.)

Slovenia $24.97 billion (2010 est.) $22.53 billion (2009 est.)

Solomon Islands $237 million (2006)

Somalia $300 million (2006)

South Africa $76.86 billion (2010 est.) $66.54 billion (2009 est.)

Spain $268.3 billion (2010 est.) $224 billion (2009 est.)

Sri Lanka $7.908 billion (2010 est.) $7.085 billion (2009 est.)

Sudan $9.777 billion (2010 est.) $7.56 billion (2009 est.)

Suriname $1.391 billion (2006 est.)

Svalbard $197.6 million (2000)

Swaziland $1.417 billion (2010 est.) $1.338 billion (2009 est.)

Sweden $162.6 billion (2010 est.) $133.3 billion (2009 est.)

Switzerland $235.2 billion (2010 est.) $208.5 billion (2009 est.)

Syria $12.84 billion (2010 est.) $11.76 billion (2009 est.)

Taiwan $277.6 billion (2010 est.) $203.4 billion (2009 est.)

Tajikistan $1.318 billion (2010 est.) $1.039 billion (2009 est.)

Tanzania $3.809 billion (2010 est.) $3.365 billion (2009 est.)

Thailand $191.3 billion (2010 est.) $151.9 billion (2009 est.)

Timor-Leste $10 million (2005 est.); note - excludes oil

Togo $859 million (2010 est.) $818 million (2009 est.)

Tokelau $0 (2002)

Tonga $22 million (2006)

Trinidad and Tobago $12.06 billion (2010 est.) $9.312 billion (2009 est.)

Tunisia $16.11 billion (2010 est.) $14.42 billion (2009 est.)

Turkey $117.4 billion (2010 est.) $109.6 billion (2009 est.)

Turkmenistan $9.672 billion (2010 est.) $6.737 billion (2009 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands $169.2 million (2000)

Tuvalu $1 million (2004 est.)

Uganda $2.941 billion (2010 est.) $2.7 billion (2009 est.)

Ukraine $49.71 billion (2010 est.) $40.39 billion (2009 est.)

United Arab Emirates $195.8 billion (2010 est.) $192.2 billion (2009 est.)

United Kingdom $405.6 billion (2010 est.) $356.2 billion (2009 est.)

United States $1.27 trillion (2010 est.) $1.069 trillion (2009 est.)

Uruguay $7.413 billion (2010 est.) $6.389 billion (2009 est.)

Uzbekistan $13.13 billion (2010 est.) $10.74 billion (2009 est.)

Vanuatu $40 million (2006)

Venezuela $64.87 billion (2010 est.) $57.6 billion (2009 est.)

Vietnam $70.76 billion (2010 est.) $57.1 billion (2009 est.)

Virgin Islands $4.234 billion (2001)

Wallis and Futuna $47,450 (2004)

West Bank $529 million (2008) $339 million (2006) note: includes Gaza Strip

Western Sahara $NA

World $14.9 trillion (2010 est.) $12.39 trillion (2009)

Yemen $7.462 billion (2010 est.) $5.812 billion (2009 est.)

Zambia $6.463 billion (2010 est.) $4.203 billion (2009 est.)

Zimbabwe $1.869 billion (2010 est.) $1.213 billion (2009 est.)

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@2079

Field Listing :: Debt - external

This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to nonresidents repayable in internationally accepted currencies, goods, or services. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Country Comparison to the World Country

Debt - external

Afghanistan $2.7 billion (2008/2009) $8 billion (2004)

Albania $1.55 billion (2004)

Algeria $4.138 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.413 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

American Samoa $NA

Andorra $NA

Angola $17.98 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $13.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Anguilla $8.8 million (1998)

Antigua and Barbuda $359.8 million (June 2006)

Argentina $128.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $118.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Armenia $5.227 billion (30 June 2010) $3.449 billion (31 December 2008)

Aruba $478.6 million (2005 est.)

Australia $1.169 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.094 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)

Austria $755 billion (30 June 2010) $864.2 billion (31 December 2008)

Azerbaijan $3.221 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Bahamas, The $342.6 million (2004 est.)

Bahrain $14.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $10.55 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Bangladesh $24.46 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $24.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Barbados $668 million (2003)

Belarus $24.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $19.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Belgium $1.241 trillion (30 June 2010) $1.354 trillion (31 December 2008)

Belize $1.01 billion (2009 est.) $954.1 million (2008 est.)

Benin $2.894 billion (31 December 2009 est.) $986.2 million (31 December 2008 est.)

Bermuda $160 million (FY99/00)

Bhutan $836 million (2009) $713.3 million (2006)

Bolivia $6.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.653 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina $7.996 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $8.048 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Botswana $2.222 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.681 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Brazil $310.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $273.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

British Virgin Islands $36.1 million (1997)

Brunei $0 (2005)

Bulgaria $36.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $39.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Burkina Faso $2.002 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.784 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Burma $7.145 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.079 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Burundi $1.2 billion (2003)

Cambodia $4.338 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.284 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Cameroon $3.344 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.231 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Canada $1.009 trillion (30 June 2010) $781.1 billion (31 December 2008)

Cape Verde $325 million (2002)

Cayman Islands $70 million (1996)

Central African Republic $1.153 billion (2007 est.)

Chad $NA (31 December 2010 est.) $1.749 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Chile $84.51 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $72.76 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

China $406.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $349.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Colombia $57.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $52.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Comoros $232 million (2000 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the $4.3 billion (2009 est.) $12.7 billion (2008 est.)

Congo, Republic of the $5 billion (2000 est.)

Cook Islands $141 million (1996 est.)

Costa Rica $9.126 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.972 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire $11.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $11.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Croatia $59.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $62.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Cuba $19.75 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $19.42 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Cyprus $NA (31 December 2010 est.) $32.61 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Czech Republic $86.79 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $82.42 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Denmark $559.5 billion (30 June 2010) $588.8 billion (31 December 2008)

Djibouti $428 million (2006)

Dominica $213 million (2004)

Dominican Republic $13.09 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $11.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Ecuador $14.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $13.48 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Egypt $30.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $29.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

El Salvador $11.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $10.83 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Equatorial Guinea $832 million (31 December 2010 est.) $766 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Eritrea $NA (31 December 2010 est.) $961.9 million (31 December 2008 est.)

Estonia $25.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $25.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Ethiopia $4.289 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.621 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

European Union

$13.72 trillion (30 June 2010); This is the external debt for the euro area only; it excludes the external debt of the non-euro-area members of the EU

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $NA

Faroe Islands $68.1 million (2006)

Fiji $127 million (2004 est.)

Finland $370.8 billion (30 June 2010) $339.5 billion (31 December 2008)

France $4.698 trillion (30 June 2010) $4.935 trillion (31 December 2008)

French Polynesia $NA

Gabon $2.374 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.352 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Gambia, The $530 million (31 December 2010 est.) $489 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Gaza Strip see entry for West Bank

Georgia $3.381 billion (31 December 2009) $7.711 billion (31 December 2008)

Germany $4.713 trillion (30 June 2010) $5.158 trillion (31 December 2008)

Ghana $6.483 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.427 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Gibraltar $NA

Greece $532.9 billion (30 June 2010) $504.6 billion (31 December 2008)

Greenland $58 million (2009) $25 million (1999)

Grenada $347 million (2004)

Guam $NA

Guatemala $17.47 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $16.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Guernsey $NA

Guinea $3.072 billion (31 December 2009 est.) $3.222 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Guinea-Bissau $941.5 million (2000 est.)

Guyana $804.3 million (30 September 2008) $1.2 billion (2002)

Haiti $494 million (31 December 2010 est.) $1.362 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Honduras $3.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.311 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Hong Kong $69.86 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $655.1 billion (30 September 2009)

Hungary $134.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $147.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Iceland $3.073 billion (2002)

India $237.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $221.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Indonesia $155.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $156.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Iran $12.84 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $12.63 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Iraq $52.58 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $73 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Ireland $2.131 trillion (30 June 2010) $2.356 trillion (31 December 2008)

Isle of Man $NA

Israel $89.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $86.78 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Italy $2.223 trillion (30 June 2010 est.) $2.328 trillion (31 December 2008)

Jamaica $12.66 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $10.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Japan $2.246 trillion (30 June 2010) $2.231 trillion (31 December 2008)

Jersey $NA

Jordan $5.522 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $6.766 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Kazakhstan $94.44 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $106.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Kenya $7.935 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.795 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Kiribati $10 million (1999 est.)

Korea, North $12.5 billion (2001 est.)

Korea, South $370.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $370.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Kosovo $NA

Kuwait $56.81 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $55.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Kyrgyzstan $3.738 billion (30 June 2010) $3.467 billion (31 December 2008)

Laos $3.085 billion (2009 est.) $3.179 billion (2006 est.)

Latvia $37.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $41.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Lebanon $34.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $31.89 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Lesotho $647 million (31 December 2010 est.) $671 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Liberia $3.2 billion (2005 est.)

Libya $6.378 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.891 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Liechtenstein $0 (2001)

Lithuania $27.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $28.69 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Luxembourg $1.892 trillion (30 June 2010) $2.02 trillion (31 December 2008)

Macau $0 (2009)

Macedonia $5.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Madagascar $2.973 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.261 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Malawi $1.213 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.166 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Malaysia $62.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $58.79 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Maldives $589 million (2009 est.) $477 million (2008 est.)

Mali $2.8 billion (2002)

Malta $41.02 billion (30 June 2010) $3.75 billion (2008)

Marshall Islands $87 million (2008 est.) $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)

Mauritania $NA

Mauritius $5.043 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.474 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Mayotte $NA

Mexico $212.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $204.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of $60.8 million (FY05 est.)

Moldova $4.146 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.844 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Monaco $18 billion (2000 est.)

Mongolia $1.86 billion (2009) $1.6 billion (2008)

Montenegro $650 million (2006)

Montserrat $8.9 million (1997)

Morocco $22.69 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $21.12 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Mozambique $4.99 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.246 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Namibia $2.373 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.175 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Nauru $33.3 million (2004 est.)

Nepal $4.5 billion (2009) $3.285 billion (2008)

Netherlands $NA (30 June 2010) $3.733 trillion (31 December 2009)

New Caledonia $79 million (1998 est.)

New Zealand $64.33 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $62.47 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Nicaragua $4.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.633 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Niger $2.1 billion (2003 est.)

Nigeria $11.02 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $10.11 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Niue $418,000 (2002 est.)

Norfolk Island $NA

Northern Mariana Islands $NA

Norway $2.232 trillion (30 June 2010) $475.9 billion (31 December 2008) note: Norway is a net external creditor

Oman $8.829 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.061 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Pakistan $57.21 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $53.62 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Palau $0 (FY99/00)

Panama $13.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $13.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Papua New Guinea $1.548 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.436 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Paraguay $4.346 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.883 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Peru $33.29 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $30.51 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Philippines $61.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $62.97 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Poland $252.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $239.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Portugal $497.8 billion (30 June 2010) $507 billion (30 June 2009)

Puerto Rico $NA

Qatar $71.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $70.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Romania $108.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $110 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Russia $480.2 billion (30 November 2010 est.) $467.2 billion (31 December 2009)

Rwanda $NA

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha $NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis $314 million (2004)

Saint Lucia $257 million (2004)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon $NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $479 million (2010 est.) $223 million (2004)

Samoa $177 million (2004)

San Marino $NA

Sao Tome and Principe $318 million (2002)

Saudi Arabia $82.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $72.77 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Senegal $3.885 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.462 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Serbia $32.31 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $32.01 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Seychelles $1.374 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.321 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Sierra Leone $1.61 billion (2003 est.)

Singapore $21.66 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $20.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Slovakia $59.33 billion (30 June 2010 est.) $52.53 billion (31 December 2008)

Slovenia $51.57 billion (30 June 2010) $54.61 billion (31 December 2008)

Solomon Islands $166 million (2004)

Somalia $3 billion (2001 est.)

South Africa $80.52 billion (30 June 2010 est.) $73.84 billion (30 June 2009)

Spain $2.166 trillion (30 June 2010) $2.317 trillion (31 December 2008)

Sri Lanka $17.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $17.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Sudan $37.98 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $35.71 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Suriname $504.3 million (2005 est.)

Swaziland $497 million (31 December 2010 est.) $411 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Sweden $853.3 billion (30 June 2010) $617.3 billion (31 December 2008)

Switzerland $1.19 trillion (30 June 2010) $1.305 trillion (31 December 2008)

Syria $7.682 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.359 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taiwan $91.41 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $75.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Tajikistan $1.997 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.771 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Tanzania $7.576 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $6.879 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Thailand $82.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $70.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Togo $NA (31 December 2010) $1.573 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Tonga $80.7 million (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago $4.303 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.895 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Tunisia $18.76 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $19.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Turkey $270.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $268.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Turkmenistan $5 billion (2009 est.) $1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands $NA

Tuvalu $NA

Uganda $2.888 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.554 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Ukraine $97.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $94.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

United Arab Emirates $122.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $122.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

United Kingdom $8.981 trillion (30 June 2010) $9.041 trillion (31 December 2008)

United States $13.98 trillion (30 June 2010) $13.75 trillion (31 December 2008) note: approximately 4/5ths of US external debt is denominated in US dollars; foreign lenders have been willing to hold US dollar denominated debt instruments because they view the dollar as the world's reserve currency

Uruguay $13.39 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $13.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Uzbekistan $4.236 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.053 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Vanuatu $81.2 million (2004)

Venezuela $55.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $53.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Vietnam $33.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $27.84 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Virgin Islands $NA

Wallis and Futuna $3.67 million (2004)

West Bank $1.04 billion (2010 est.) $1.3 billion (2007 est.)

Western Sahara $NA

World $59.09 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) $62.25 trillion (31 December 2009 est.) note: this figure is the sum total of all countries' external debt, both public and private

Yemen $7.147 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $6.552 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Zambia $3.495 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.091 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Zimbabwe $5.772 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.667 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

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@2080

Field Listing ::

Country

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@2081

Field Listing :: Flag description

This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags. Country

Flag description

Afghanistan three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan; black signifies the past, red is for the blood shed for independence, and green can represent either hope for the future, agricultural prosperity, or Islam note: Afghanistan had more changes to its national flag in the 20th century than any other country; the colors black, red, and green appeared on most of them

Akrotiri the flag of the UK is used

Albania red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Castriota SKANDERBERG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-1478); an unsubstantiated explanation for the eagle symbol is the tradition that Albanians see themselves as descendants of the eagle; they refer to themselves as "Shkypetars," which translates as "sons of the eagle"

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 colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim countries because the Algerians believe the long crescent horns bring happiness

American Samoa blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa

Andorra three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the latter band is slightly wider than the other two so that the ratio of band widths is 8:9:8; the coat of arms features a quartered shield with the emblems of (starting in the upper left and proceeding clockwise): Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto reads VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger); the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show Franco-Spanish protection note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem

Angola two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants

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 a turquoise-blue field below; the white in the background represents peace; the blue base symbolizes the surrounding sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope; the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength

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; the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era, black represents the African heritage of most of the population, blue is for hope, and red is for the dynamism of the people; the "V" stands for victory; the successive yellow, blue, and white coloring is also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand

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; the colors represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes; the sun symbol commemorates the appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810 during the first mass demonstration in favor of independence; the sun features are those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun

Armenia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it

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; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth

Ashmore and Cartier Islands the flag of Australia is used

Australia blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars

Austria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red; the flag design is certainly one of the oldest - if not the oldest - national banners in the world; according to tradition, in 1191, following a fierce battle in the Third Crusade, Duke Leopold V of Austria's white tunic became completely blood-spattered; upon removal of his wide belt or sash, a white band was revealed; the red-white-red color combination was subsequently adopted as his banner

Azerbaijan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in the red band; the blue band recalls Azerbaijan's Turkic heritage, red stands for modernization and progress, and green refers to Islam; the crescent moon is an Islamic symbol, while the eight-pointed star represents the eight Turkic peoples of the world

Bahamas, The three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea

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 note: until 2002 the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag

Bangladesh green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh

Barbados three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Belarus red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red; the red band color recalls past struggles from oppression, the green band represents hope and the many forests of the country

Belgium three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field)

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 of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans

Benin two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Bermuda red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag; it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to settling of Bermuda note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue

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; the dragon, called the Druk (Thunder Dragon), is the emblem of the nation; its white color stands for purity and the jewels in its claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent spiritual and secular powers within Bhutan: the orange is associated with Bhuddism, while the yellow denotes the ruling dynasty

Bolivia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; red stands for bravery and the blood of national heroes, yellow for the nation's mineral resources, and green for the fertility of the land note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; in 2009, a presidential decree made it mandatory for a so-called wiphala - a square, multi-colored flag representing the country's indigenous peoples - to be used alongside the traditional flag

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; the triangle approximates the shape of the country and its three points stand for the constituent peoples - Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs; the stars represent Europe and are meant to be continuous (thus the half stars at top and bottom); the colors (white, blue, and yellow) are often associated with neutrality and peace, and traditionally are linked with Bosnia

Botswana light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony

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; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress); the current flag was inspired by the banner of the former Empire of Brazil (1822-1889); on the imperial flag, the green represented the House of Braganza of Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil, while the yellow stood for the Habsburg Family of his wife; on the modern flag the green represents the forests of the country and the yellow rhombus its mineral wealth; the blue circle and stars, which replaced the coat of arms of the original flag, depict the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of 15 November 1889 - the day the Republic of Brazil was declared; the number of stars has changed with the creation of new states and has risen from an original 21 to the current 27 (one for each state and the Federal District)

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 (the symbols of the territory) centered on the outer half of the flag; the wavy stripes represent the Indian Ocean; although not officially described, the six blue stripes may stand for the six main atolls of the archipelago

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); the islands were named by COLUMBUS in 1493 in honor of Saint Ursula and her 11 virgin followers (some sources say 11,000) who reputedly were martyred by the Huns in the 4th or 5th century; the figure on the banner holding a lamp represents the saint, the other lamps symbolize her followers

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; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion; the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"

Bulgaria three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the pan-Slavic white-blue-red colors were modified by substituting a green band (representing freedom) for the blue note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed

Burkina Faso two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red recalls the country's struggle for independence, green is for hope and abundance,and yellow represents the country's mineral wealth note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Burma design consists of three equal horizontal stripes of yellow (top), green, and red; centered on the green band is a large white five-pointed star that partially overlaps onto the adjacent colored stripes; the design revives the triband colors used by Burma from 1943-45, during the Japanese occupation

Burundi divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below); green symbolizes hope and optimism, white purity and peace, and red the blood shed in the struggle for independence; the three stars in the disk represent the three major ethnic groups: Hutu, Twa, Tutsi, as well as the three elements in the national motto: unity, work, progress

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; red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design

Cameroon three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow, with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; the vertical tricolor recalls the flag of France; red symbolizes unity, yellow the sun, happiness, and the savannahs in the north, and green hope and the forests in the south; the star is referred to as the "star of unity" note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Canada two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width) with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the maple leaf has long been a Canadian symbol; the official colors of Canada are red and white

Cape Verde five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10, yellow, five-pointed stars is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side; blue stands for the sea and the sky, the circle of stars represents the 10 major islands united into a nation, the stripes symbolize the road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort (red)

Cayman Islands a blue field, 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 crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Central African Republic four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band; banner combines the Pan-African and French flag colors; red symbolizes the blood spilled in the struggle for independence, blue represents the sky and freedom, white peace and dignity, green hope and faith, and yellow tolerance; the star represents aspiration towards a vibrant future

Chad three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the flag combines the blue and red French (former colonial) colors with the red and yellow of the Pan-African colors; blue symbolizes the sky, hope, and the south of the country, which is relatively well-watered; yellow represents the sun, as well as the desert in the north of the country; red stands for progress, unity, and sacrifice note: similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France

Chile two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence note: design was influenced by the US flag

China red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner; the color red represents revolution, while the stars symbolize the four social classes - the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie (capitalists) - united under the Communist Party of China

Christmas Island territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes

Clipperton Island the flag of France is used

Cocos (Keeling) Islands the flag of Australia is used

Colombia three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Columbia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valour and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Comoros four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, N'gazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Congo, Democratic Republic of the sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner; blue represents peace and hope, red the blood of the country's martyrs, and yellow the country's wealth and prosperity; the star symbolizes unity and the brilliant future for the country

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; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Cook Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

Coral Sea Islands the flag of Australia is used

Costa Rica five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverence, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed

Cote d'Ivoire three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; orange symbolizes the land (savannah) of the north and fertility, white stands for peace and unity, green represents the forests of the south and the hope for a bright future note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France

Croatia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue - the Pan-Slav colors - superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms; the coat of arms consists of one main shield (a checkerboard of 13 red and 12 silver (white) fields) surmounted by five smaller shields that form a crown over the main shield; the five small shields represent five historic regions, they are (from left to right): Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia

Cuba five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; the blue bands refer to the three old divisions of the island: central, occidental, and oriental; the white bands describe the purity of the independence ideal; the triangle symbolizes liberty, equality, and fraternity, while the red color stands for the blood shed in the independence struggle; the white star, called La Estrella Solitaria (the Lone Star) lights the way to freedom and was taken from the flag of Texas note: design similar to the Puerto Rican flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed

Curacao on a blue field a horizontal yellow band somewhat below the center divides the flag into proportions of 5:1:2; two five-pointed white stars - the smaller above and to the left of the larger - appear in the canton; the blue of the upper and lower sections symbolizes the sky and sea respectively; yellow represents the sun; the stars symbolize Curacao and its uninhabited smaller sister island of Klein Curacao; the five star points signify the five continents from which Curacao's people derive

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 retains the white field of the Cyprus national flag but displays narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which are centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star; the banner is modeled after the Turkish national flag but with the colors reversed

Czech Republic two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side note: is identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia; uses the Pan-Slav colors inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia

Denmark red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality, the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Dhekelia the flag of the UK is used

Djibouti two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center; blue stands for sea and sky and the Issa Somali people; green symbolizes earth and the Afar people; white represents peace; the red star recalls the struggle for independence and stands for unity

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, unique to Dominica, encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes); green symbolizes the island's lush vegetation; the triple-colored cross represents the Christian Trinity; the yellow color denotes sunshine, the main agricultural products (citrus and bananas), and the native Carib Indians; black is for the rich soil and the African heritage of most citizens; white signifies rivers, waterfalls, and the purity of aspirations; the red disc stands for social justice

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 a laurel 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; in the shield a bible is opened to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes

Ecuador three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Columbia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; the yellow color represents sunshine, grain, and mineral wealth, blue the sky, sea, and rivers, and red the blood of patriots spilled in the struggle for freedom and justice note: 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; 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, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band

El Salvador three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity note: 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