NorthStar Flags

Vienna, the capital City in Austria is a world center for the arts, splendid palaces of the Baroque Period adorn the landscape and as such headquarters for many organizations are aplenty. But, what makes Austria really famous were its son’s, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, or Johann Strauss to name a few, all giants in the field of classical music. Tourists can therefore visit the houses of these famous masters and reminisce of the era gone by.

Like Austria’s masters who had lived some 250 years ago, the National Flag of Austria is possibly the oldest national flag design in the world. Considered the oldest flag “in continuous use” is the Danish or Denmark flag, but it is at least a century younger. The Austria flag has three equal horizontal bands of red on the top and bottom, separated at the center by the white band.

Legend has it that the flag was attributed to Duke Leopold V whose white battledress was drenched in blood in one of the fierce fights during the Crusades. When he removed his belt the cloth underneath was still white, and so taken aback by the sight, he adopted the colors and scheme as his banner.

Austria is at the center of Europe and bordered by eight neighbors, it is mountainous in the south and west, fertile lowlands in the east are all part of the Danube River basin. Owing to its terrain, Austria is the most forested country in Europe, and the forest cover is steadily increasing, thanks wholly to the country’s “green lung” project.

Manufacturing as the lifeblood of the country, is powered by hydroelectricity and propel the nation’s export trade.

Mecca and Medina, two of the most-holiest shrines of Islam, and both are in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of the faith. Mecca is where the Prophet Muhammad received the word of Allah, and Medina is the place where the Prophet died in A.D. 632. Saudi Arabia then becomes the keeper of Islam’s two sacred cities and the king is given the official title as Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Abd Al-Aziz bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud (Ibn Saud) waged a 30year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula and founded the modern state of Saudi Arabia in 1932. To this day, a son Ibn Saud Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz rules the country as required by the country’s 1992 Basic Law.

Since 1973, the government had used the official Flag of Saudi Arabia, which is entirely green with white Arabic inscription and a sword. Written on the flag is the Thuluth script, a shahadah or Islamic declaration of faith: “la ilaha ill allah muhammadun rasul allah” (there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his Messenger), and a sword underlines it symbolizing the importance of the inscription.

Although custom green flags with Arabic scripts are quite popular in Islam, it does not bear the symbol sword and should not be confused with the Saudi Arabian National Flag.

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula, but sadly 95% of the land is desert. Mountains run parallel to the Red Sea and slope down to the plains towards the Persian Gulf, but amidst this arid feature, oil is found abundant underneath. Oil production has made this desert kingdom one of the wealthiest nations in the world.

Who can forget Pearl Harbor and the raid and bombing on December 7,1941, that officially marked the involvement of the United States in the Second World War. How the nation rose in unison, to provide the American Military support and logistics to finally emerge victorious. And how after it became a US colony in the 1900, Hawaii was developed and finally regarded as the premier summer destination of American Servicemen and tourists.

Hawaii was once an independent kingdom (1810 – 1893), truth of the matter is it has an existing flag designed at the request of King Kamehameha I, composed of eight white, red and blue stripes representing the eight main islands. On the upper left corner is positioned the flag of Great Britain (the Union Jack) to honor Hawaii’s friendship with the British. It is this original flag of Hawaii that was used even after it became officially the 50th State of the Union.

Due to its strategic location, Hawaii became an important site for the US Military Base at Pearl Harbor, where thousands of military personnel converge as regular employees and those for their short R&R.; In effect pouring in considerable amount in revenues to local coffers. In fact it is believed to be the number one source of revenues for the islands.

Another source of income for Hawaii are the 6million visitors and tourists that come to the islands annually, the majority are from the continental United States and or Japan. They spend over 11billion dollars on the various attractions, resort hotels, entertainment and environmental trips to this tropical paradise.

Films and TV specials were shot on location here, and shown worldwide. The memorable ones include the Elvis Presley concert and Hawaii Five O, to name a few.

A canton is a federal state in Switzerland and overall 26 cantons make up the entire country. Bern has been designated as the seat of the federal authorities, while the global cities of Geneva and particularly Zurich are the country’s economic centers. Switzerland evolved as one of the richest countries in the world as manifested by its per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In terms of quality of life, Zurich and Geneva ranked second highest in the world.

It is interesting to note that Switzerland uses a square sovereign state flag, only two uses this kind of flag, the other being the Vatican. The flag of Switzerland consists of a red square and a bold equilateral white cross at the center.

The Red Cross symbol of the International Committee of the Red Cross has direct reference to the Swiss flag, only in reverse. The Geneva Convention in 1864 used the Red Cross on white background as the original protection symbol and was adopted to honor the founder Henry Dunant.

Switzerland had seen a history of political stability and its expertise on high-end technology and commerce could help explain the Swiss phenomenon; a post war-industrial economy that catapulted the country to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

Switzerland had always advocated permanent neutrality and an elaborate civil defense mechanism and a strong military are behind this Swiss policy. And the Swiss government is firmly committed to world peace, thus it became a member of the United Nations in 2002.

The global market is the target of the nation’s economy, as earnings generated from exports makes up almost 50% of its revenues.

I can’t hide the fact that when Italy is mentioned, supercars come to mind. Italy has been the source of these “super toys for big boys,” the plaything of the rich around the world. So, if you see on the road model cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani and still a lot more, the chance of it being made in Italy is a high 90%. Yes, this supercars have come to symbolize power, speed, the best in aerodynamics and wealth because each is priced at a low 3 to as much as 15million dollars.

If you are a religious lot, then the Vatican City would come next with the mere mention of Italy, simply because the Vatican City is the seat of Catholicism around the world, or as the official residence of the pope. It is here that people around the globe congregate during very special religious celebrations – the season of lent or perhaps the advent, to name a few.

Then perhaps the Italy flag would be next in line as the symbol most sought after. The flag is known as La bandiera d’Italia, is also a tricolor, that features three equally sized vertical bands of green, white and red, the same flag adopted in 1948.

The common interpretation of the colors is that green represents the country’s hills and plains; white is for the snowy Alps; and red is for the blood shed by the heroes of the Italian Wars of Independence.

But for the majority a more religious interpretation of the tricolor is made, green represents hope, white represents faith and red is for charity. This interpretation follows reference to the three theological virtues.

The flag of Sweden or the Sveriges flagga in Swedish has a color combination of blue with a yellow Scandinavian cross that extends the whole breadth of the flag. This color arrangement is believed to have been culled from the present coat of arms of Sweden devised in 1442 that of blue with a cross pattee of gold and patterned after the Danish flag. Blue and yellow has been the color of Sweden, dating back to at least king Magnus Birgersson’s royal coat of arms of 1275.

Sweden has always maintained a policy of armed neutrality that is why it never was drawn into war for the past two centuries. For the moment it has managed to keep unemployment at an all time low; Sweden has probably the lowest birthrate registered among countries in the world; and the lifestyle of its residents has raised life expectancy to be the world’s highest.

Success for Sweden has been attributed to the correct blending of socialism and capitalism, particularly relative peace in the labor front as cooperation between the government and labor union had been maintained. The labor unions in Sweden represents 90% of workers and to address labor unrest, the government levied high taxes to finance advanced social programs from education to health and child care and even subsidizing paternal leave.

But, this has not been always the case, Sweden had also its share of economic problems. During the 80’s, immigrants from Asia, Africa, Latin America joined the Swedish utopia that further put strain to an otherwise expensive social programs that led to cutbacks in 1991. Only stringent economic controls in 1994 eased the situation and by 1998 it has manifested signs of finally having a turnaround.

Easily the most recognizable symbol of France is the Eiffel Tower, a reflection of the French technological edge at a time when most of the world is still grappling with the infusion of new development. In fact it this same technology that was responsible for the building of the Statue of Liberty at the New York City harbor – a gift from the people of France to the citizens of the United States.

France is also known the world over because of the various wine and spirits that come from its various refineries. This is actually possible because at least 70% of the landmass of France is arable land and most likely the most grape varieties are grown here. Besides, the country is dependent on its agricultural products to feed its over 60million inhabitants, while the rest is exported to most of the countries in and around Europe.

Of equal importance is the flag of France, which had its origin from the French Revolution with the final design being adapted in 1794. It consists of vertical bands of blue, white and red associated with liberty, equality, and fraternity, the basic ideals borne out of the French Revolution. Although the colors were probably derived from those of Paris (red and blue) and combined with the one used by the Bourbon Dynasty, which is white.

For the elite, the rich and famous around the world, nothing or nobody beats Paris, the capital City of France, in grandeur, sophistication and style. Fashion trend around the world is dictated to by Paris fashion and the rest simply follow its lead, while maybe by association social sophistication comes natural with the French.

Easily the most recognizable symbol of France is the Eiffel Tower, a reflection of the French technological edge at a time when most of the world is still grappling with the infusion of new development. In fact it this same technology that was responsible for the building of the Statue of Liberty at the New York City harbor – a gift from the people of France to the citizens of the United States.

France is also known the world over because of the various wine and spirits that come from its various refineries. This is actually possible because at least 70% of the landmass of France is arable land and most likely the most grape varieties are grown here. Besides, the country is dependent on its agricultural products to feed its over 60million inhabitants, while the rest is exported to most of the countries in and around Europe.

Of equal importance is the flag of France, which had its origin from the French Revolution with the final design being adapted in 1794. It consists of vertical bands of blue, white and red associated with liberty, equality, and fraternity, the basic ideals borne out of the French Revolution. Although the colors were probably derived from those of Paris (red and blue) and combined with the one used by the Bourbon Dynasty, which is white.

For the elite, the rich and famous around the world, nothing or nobody beats Paris, the capital City of France, in grandeur, sophistication and style. Fashion trend around the world is dictated to by Paris fashion and the rest simply follow its lead, while maybe by association social sophistication comes natural with the French.

“Wir sind ein volk” or we are one people is the song that the crowds enthusiastically sang on November 9, 1989 as East Germans started demolition of the oppressive Berlin Wall (erected in 1961 to stop the refugees crossing to west Berlin), the single most important symbol that separated Germany. Then a year later, just after midnight on October 3, 1990, Germany was once again unified under one German National Flag, one people divided after the end of World War II and after almost five decades.

The flag of the unified Germany is a tricolor consisting of three equal horizontal bands of black, red and gold, the official national colors. This color had played an important role in the history of Germany, and is blessed with various meanings. It signifies among others republican democracy formed after World War II and represents the meaning of German unity and freedom – not only for the country but also for personal freedom of the German people.

Germany has evolved to be Europe’s strongest economic and industrial power, and also ranks as the most populous country outside of Russia. It’s over 82million inhabitants are diverse and occupies the fertile northern plains that stretch to the far south, up to areas bordering the Baltic Sea, to the central highlands and even the rugged and mountainous region of the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) and the Alps.

For years, Germany has become a magnet for foreign workers as some 7.3 million had made it their home. German industry is known the world over, like car giants Daimler Chrysler and Volkswagen, telecommunications pioneer Siemens; or the high-end Transrapid System that uses the maglev railway technology and Nordex wind turbines a new technology developed that is absolutely environment friendly.

The United Kingdom is actually a union of four distinct nationalities, composed of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This union is aptly named as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and flies a unified national flag known locally as the Union Flag or more popularly, the Union Jack.

The current design of the United Kingdom flag was devised during the union of Ireland and Great Britain in 1801. Although the original union of Wales and England (1536) previously was represented by the red cross of Saint George (the patron saint of England), with the white edging and superimposed on the Cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which are then wholly superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland).

In 1922 Ireland freed itself from British rule and seceded from the union leaving the volatile Northern Ireland who opted to remain as a province of the United Kingdom. As of the moment, the United Kingdom has a total land area of 242,910 square kilometers and a population of over 60million, about 49million of which lives in and around England. London the capital is home to over 9million residents.

The word “industrial revolution” was born in Britain in the 18th century, thus making it the first industrialized nation of the world.

The economy of the United Kingdom is dependent on its industry (machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, and ship building); agricultural products (cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables, cattle, fish); and exports (manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverage, and tobacco).

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy and the most important head of state is her royal highness, the Queen.