Lonely Planet Kids - The Flag Book (Lonely Planet Kids)

CONTENTS What are flags for? ............................................... 4 Speaking in flag ...................................................... 6 Flag designs ............................................................. 8 Coats of arms ........................................................ 10 NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA ............... 28 SOUTH AMERICA ................................................ 28 SOUTH AMERICA ................................................

AFRICA .................................................................... Ships and aeroplanes ..................................... 54 International flag signals .............................. 70 EUROPE .................................................................... The worlds oldest flags ................................. 114 ASIA ........................................................................ 114 ASIA ........................................................................

Flag record breakers ...................................... 136 Flag tales .............................................................. 154 AUSTRALASIA AND OCEANIA ................ Sports flags ......................................................... 170 International flags ........................................... 178 Index ........................................................................ 182

What are flags for? Each flag you see is a picture that has a meaning and sends a message
to everyone who sees it. 182

What are flags for? Each flag you see is a picture that has a meaning and sends a message
to everyone who sees it.

Every country in the world has a flag that
represents it and announces to the world: We are proud of our country .
Regions and cities have flags, too, expressing the same pride. This book will show you every national flag, along with
regional examples. It will explain the colours and pictures
on the flags and the many different things they symbolise. OCEAN-GOING FLAGS: As well as country flags,
learn about the messages sent by the flags you
might see fluttering on ships on pages 54 . FLAGS OF THE PAST:
Discover the bloodthirsty
messages once sent by pirate
flags on pages 28 , and
learn all about the worlds
oldest flags on pages 94 . TYPES OF FLAG Countries might have several different types
of official flags.

NATIONAL FLAG: This is a countrys official flag
the one used at international events. STATE FLAG: Sometimes governments have
a slightly different version of the national flag,
flying outside government buildings. CIVIL FLAG: Some countries have a civil flag
as well as a national flag. The civil flag is used
by non-government organisations. SUBNATIONAL FLAG: These are flags used
by regions or overseas territories. SPORTING FLAGS: Learn to recognise some of
the special flags you might see used at sporting
occasions on pages 170 .

Find out what these colourful
flags mean on pages 70 . The flag of
famous British pirate
Calico Jack Rackham! When the black-and-white chequered
flag waves, it means a racing car has
crossed the finishing line.

When this flag flies at
Buckingham Palace in London, England,
it means the Queen is home! PRESIDENTIAL AND ROYAL FLAGS: Some countries are
ruled by royal families or presidents who have their own
flags, flown on cars and above official residences. UNUSUAL FLAGS: Find out about the worlds
most interesting flags, and some space flags,
too, on pages 154 . A horizontal pole makes this US flag appear
to fly. Flags cant actually fly on the Moon
because there is no atmosphere.

United Nations flag INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS:
The United Nations, the International
Olympic Committee and other
organisations have their own flags.
You can see some on pages 176 . A selection of flags of
the United Nations flying in unison.

SPEAKING IN FLAG The study of flags is called vexillology.
Vexillologists use special words to describe
flag parts and patterns. In this book,
we simplify these labels.

FLAG PARTS THE HOIST
The part of the flag
nearest to the staff. THE FLY
The part of the flag
furthest from the staff. HALYARD
The rope used
to raise or
lower the flag. STAFF
The flag pole. CHARGE
A symbol on
the field of
a flag. THE FIELD
The background colour.

FLAG RATIOS The ratio describes the height compared to
the width of a flag. A flag ratio of 1:2 means
the flag is twice as wide as it is high. FLAG SHAPES Most flags are rectangular and some are
square, but some are more unusual shapes.
These shapes have special names. FANION SWALLOW TAIL BURGEE PENNANT DOUBLE
PENNANT

FLAG PATTERNS Although some flags use unique shapes and patterns, there are a few basic designs that crop up all over the world. SYMMETRIC CROSS
(eg: flag of England) NORDIC CROSS off-centre cross
(eg: flag of Iceland) GREEK CROSS four arms of the
same length (eg: flag of
Switzerland) SALTIRE diagonal cross
(eg: flag of Scotland) PALES three vertical stripes
(eg: flag of Canada) FESSES three equal horizontal
stripes (eg: flag of Austria) CHEVRON triangle coming
in from hoist side (eg: flag of
Czech Republic) PALL Y-shape on its side
(eg: flag of South Africa) BORDER
(eg: flag of Montenegro) CANTON rectangular area at the
top left (eg: flag of the USA) QUARTERLY four quarters
(eg: flag of Panama) BEND diagonal band
(eg: flag of Tanzania)