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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Like most African countries, the Mali Flag adopted the Pan-African motif espoused by Ethiopia, probably to promote better unity among its neighbors, a tricolor with three vertical stripes of green near the hoist, gold and red. It was in 1959 as part of the Mali Federation that the world flag was conceived, following the French tricolor and similar to the Flag of Ghana, a black human figure known as the "kanaga" was added at the center of the gold band, obviously to break the points of similarity. However when the federation disbanded in 1961, the state of Mali retained the original flag but with the kanaga omitted because of Islamic aniconism (a belief against making pictures of the human figure). Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa and geographically is mostly desert or semi-desert, one on the leg of the Trans-Saharan caravans that once made prosperous Timbuktu and Gao, the trading centers on the Niger River. Originally the country came under French rule but was granted independence in 1960. During the 80's, Mali experienced severe economic woes brought by drought and famine that prompted the government to impose deregulation and privatization. The condition forced nomadic herders to flee south and engage in subsistence farming. But once gold mining operations started, Mali has become a major gold exporter and with it comes economic relief. Mali had been subjected to a series of brutal dictatorship and only a military coup in 1991 stopped the vicious cycle of human rights abuses. Then, democratic processes took shape as the first presidential elections was held in 1992. To date, Mali is emerging as one of the strongest democracies on the continent.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The United States Armed Forces is probably one of the most respected and prominent service organizations in the country. It is structured into five branches namely the United States Army, primarily preserves peace and security and defending the nation as well; United States Marine Corp, provides marine troops for defense and seizure of advanced bases also conducting land and air operations; United States Navy, defends the nation at sea and maintains security on the seas wherever the country's interest extend; United States Air Force, primarily responsible for air defense, air warfare and military space research; and United States Coast Guard that enforces military, civilian law and humanitarian policies in the maritime regions (international waters, United States coastal waters, ports and inland waterways); all under the control of the President, who serves as commander-in-chief. Considering the different branches in the United States Armed Forces and the trainings imposed by these, all Americans in the country are assured for their security. That is why most of us feel safe whenever we see uniformed men lurking around. But with the number of branches, how can we identify one group from another? Well, you can check out the differing uniforms; or you can familiarize the respective military flags that each branch has. The latter is much easier since you almost always see patches of military flags on the uniforms of the personnel. Besides military uniforms oftentimes change that's why you'll end up confused if you make that as a differing mark.
by: The Flagman
Monday, December 29, 2008
Whenever we roam around European countries such as Poland, we almost always see family crests engraved on the front gates and statues; we even see the Poland flag, side by side with a crest flag raised outside houses and commercial buildings in the city. And one cannot help but wonder why does it seem that these crests are very important. Probably it has played a big part of their history as a country; or it might have influenced what they have become today. Crests, also known as coat of arms and armorial bearings, has been a worldwide tradition dating back in the 12th century. In Europe, it was used as a symbol belonging to a particular person or group of people; and was usually used in various ways such as a seal to a legal document wherein authorities only has to look over the seal and recognize the owner. But what makes it different from a seal and emblem, you may ask? Well it has a formal description that is expressed as a blazon. Although most of us think that crests are the property of the whole family and all members can make use of it, this was not the case during the earlier years of England and Scotland, only one person in the family can make use of crests. It is considered a legal property handed over from father to son; and descendants of the original bearer who so willingly would like to bear the crest, must modify the appearance by changing the color or adding a new feature.
by: The Flagman
Friday, December 26, 2008
If you are one of the more than nine million visitors that come to Maine annually, then you must be really smitten by the lobster's delicacy that abounds in the state. In fact, because of the demand 50 million pounds of lobsters have to be hauled from the sea yearly just to meet the increasing need of dining facilities. Although sea products does not only dictate the economy of the state but also agricultural yields, like timber-based products from Maine's forests, potatoes, apples, and blueberries from the land that are found supplied around the country. As development continues to move north, conservationist are now buying pristine lands to avert disruption of the ecology and maintain the balance required by the environment of the state. As residents enjoy the bounty of Maine, it regards its emblem as truly reflective of the sentiment of the state, but it somehow was dealt some kind of setback because the flag had been selected in surveys as one the worst in design among 72 states in the U.S. and Canada. Like Kentucky, the State Flag of Maine features a coat of arms in the center of a blue field. The coat of arms features a moose resting under a tall pine tree, together with a farmer and a seaman that projects the state's reliance on agriculture, and a north star that is reflective of the state motto "Dirigo," I Lead. However, the state did not officially specify the colors of the coat of arms, so colors vary depending on the flag manufacturers that supply the flags. But, the state is specific on the blue field to be similar to the United States of America.
by: The Flagman
Thursday, December 25, 2008
While growing up, me, my mom and dad used to frequent the KFC joint a stones-throw from the movie theater in our community. My memory speaks of weekends where we usually spend some time in the supermarket and movies, then dine at the KFC before calling it a day. So, it helped me create an opinion that Kentucky is simply fried chicken. While in college, I learned a lot more about Kentucky, particularly the contribution it made to the union, the products it shares with other states and the sights that tourists frequent. Also as I mature, I've developed a liking to racehorses and it brought me closer to Kentucky simply because of the thrill of the Kentucky Horse Derby happening at Churchill Downs. Kentucky is not just fried chicken, but a thousand times more and like its residents I have come to recognize the Kentucky State Flag, the emblem of a people who brought the "fastest two minutes in sports." The state flag consists of the commonwealth's seal placed against a navy blue field, a form that has served the state since 1928. In detail the seal shows two friends in an embrace, one in buckskin on the left and the other in suit on the right. The popular belief is that of Daniel Boone who was responsible for the exploration of much of Kentucky and Henry Clay, the state's most famous statesman. Official explanation does not refer to the two gentlemen, but that it represents all frontiersmen and statesmen. The words "Commonwealth of Kentucky" surrounds the figures above and sprigs of goldenrod, the state flower below, and encircling is the state motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."
by: The Flagman
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Have you heard of the Rastafari movement? It is the belief of those members of the sect that wherever they are in the world, their stay is only temporary because eventually they will be herded back to their New Zion (that is Ethiopia), a phenomenon much like the exodus of the Jews back to the Promised Land. Ethiopia is the spiritual homeland of the Rastafari movement, but as a nation it is landlocked in the northeastern region known as the Horn of Africa. The country rests on a high plateau and mountains at elevations over 4,000meters and the Great Rift Valley cuts the plateau diagonally. The western part gets summer rainfall, while the eastern side is mostly hot and dry, so naturally people flock to the western side. The majority of Ethiopians are farmers and herders, but deforestation, drought, and soil degradation resulted in crop failures and the possibility of famine ensued in the past few decades. The country is experiencing a high birthrate, plus refugees coming from Somalia, and defeat at the 30year war with Eritrea, all strained whatever economic resource it had. Through it all the people of Ethiopia endured and still pay homage to the Ethiopia flag. Composed of three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a pentagram and single yellow rays emanating between the points on a light blue disk placed on the center of the three bands. The flag is intended to project both the diversity and unity of the country. Being the oldest country in Africa, the color of the flag of Ethiopia was often used by other African nations, that later it became known as the Pan-African colors.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Does nakfa and gabbi ring a bell? If you are familiar with Eritrea, then you will know that nakfa is the country's currency in use; while gabbi are traditional shawls worn by villagers in the rural communities. In 1952 Eritrea existed along side Ethiopia as part of a federation, then ten years later it was annexed as a province of Ethiopia, which started the 30year struggle for independence. By 1991 the war ended with the Eritrean rebels winning against the government forces of Ethiopia, and independence was overwhelmingly voted in a 1993 referendum. Then again a border dispute in 1998 erupted, which only ended with the intervention of the U.N. peacekeeping forces. Relative peace is now being maintained through the auspices of the U.N. by monitoring the 25km-wide Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) on the border with Ethiopia. The hard earned independence may have strengthened the resolve of the residents as clearly shown on their almost cult-like respect for the National Flag of Eritrea. The current flag is dominated by a red triangle starting from the hoist all the way to the fly, with complimentary green and blue triangles above and below. A gold leaf is added at the center of the red triangle encircling a gold olive branch. Green on the flag stands for abundance in agriculture; blue is for the ocean; while red signifies for blood spilled in the fight for freedom; and the yellow wreath on the red triangle is a symbol with 14 leaves. It is also interesting to note that the red triangle geometrically serves as a fissure that divided the country from the start and diminishes, that would only signify peace and blood will no longer be shed in the end.
by: The Flagman
Monday, December 22, 2008
We are all familiar with Egypt and the contribution it made to modern civilization, the monuments that accounts for a great kingdom are still around us. Who would forget the Pyramids at Giza, of the temples and elaborate hypostyle hall, the obelisks, mastaba's and ornaments like the lotus bud or the kheker cresting, designed as a tribute to the deities and man's passage to the afterlife. Egypt flourished as a nation because of the Nile River, and that its annual inundation brought fertility to the soil and thus maintained its agricultural potential. The arts that developed thereafter were all organic or copied from trees, plants, animals and bugs that thrived near the banks of the Nile River. Having known the country, can we do the same with the current Egypt flag? The distinguishing feature of the flag of Egypt is the Eagle of Saladin (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist and above a scroll with the name of the country in Arabic) and placed at the center of the white band. The flag actually is a tricolor of horizontal bands of equal width, red on top, white at the center, and black. Red refers to the era before the Revolution, where a group of army officers rose to power after deposing King Farouk, the King of Egypt. White symbolizes the time before the 1952 Revolution that ended monarchy without bloodshed. And black symbolizes the end of oppression experienced by the people at the hands of the Monarchy and British colonialism. Today Egypt is at the center of the Arab world as it controls the Suez Canal (the shortest sea link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea).
by: The Flagman
Friday, December 19, 2008
Should you be in Djibouti try wandering along salty lake Abbe and a surprise awaits, especially as the moon rises and serves as backdrop to the travertine (calcium carbonate) chimneys, which were created by deposits from hot springs. Djibouti had ceased to be a French territory in 1977 and later under an authoritarian one-party state, Hassan Gouled Aptidon ruled until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority led to a civil war in the 90's, until a peace agreement with the Issa-dominated government was signed. Also in 1999, the first multi-party presidential election was held and Ismail Omar Guelleh was installed as president and again re-elected to second and final term in 2005. Being at the mouth of the Red Sea, Djibouti serves as the transshipment point for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The presence of France Naval Base and garrison generate as much as half of the country's revenues. It also is home to the only US military base in the region and is the front-line state in the global war on terrorism. Since its independence, the citizens recognize the Djibouti flag that features two horizontal bands of sky blue (top) and green (lower half) with a white isosceles triangle on the hoist that bears red five-pointed star (representing the settlement of the Somali's in the region). Green symbolizes the earth; sky blue refers to the sea and sky; while white is for peace; and the red star representing unity. Despite being capital starved and an underdeveloped poor nation, Djibouti developed into a regional banking center, blessed with a free port and modern air transport facilities.
by: The Flagman
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The "Pambansang Bandila," the Filipino word for the National Flag of the Philippines, is a horizontal bicolor of equal width of blue and red. It has an equilateral triangle at the hoist with a yellow golden sun at the center that project eight primary rays, each ray having three individual rays. At each corner of the triangle is a five-pointed star, also golden yellow in color. The first flag was conceptualized and sewn together by a group of women in Hong Kong and was officially used during the declaration of the first Philippine Republic in 1896. The white triangle is a symbol associated with equality and fraternity; the blue field signifies peace, truth and justice; and the red field is for patriotism and valor. The eight rays of the sun represent the eight provinces that originally revolted against Spain, while the three stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country. The Philippines is an Archipelago, in Southeast Asia consisting of 7,107 islands located between the China Sea and Pacific Ocean. The country just lies north of the world's largest Muslim state, Indonesia and is the only Christian country in this part of the globe, with 94% Roman Catholic. 5% of Filipinos are Muslims, mostly living in the coastal plains of Mindanao and Palawan. The government of the Philippines is a thriving democracy, with elections held every six years for the President and members of the Senate, while three years for members of Congress and other Local Government units. Unlike its neighbors, the Philippines lag behind economically due to widespread poverty andpolitical instability or perhaps the country may have not found a leader more committed to economic development.
by: The Flagman
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Officially the "Taegeukgi" is the South Korea National flag and it refers to the red (top) and blue (bottom) yin-yang symbol in the center. This used to be the flag of a unified Korea, but with North Korea being a Communist country, it replaced the "taegeukgi" with a white disk and on it is the red five-pointed star the symbol for Communism. The Flag of Korea is composed of three parts; a white field; a red and blue taegeuk (taijitu or yin- yang) in the center; and four black trigrams on each corner of the flag. The origin of the trigrams is the Chinese book I Ching (Book of Changes) that represents the four Chinese philosophical ideas about the universe (harmony, symmetry, balance, circulation). The overall concept of the custom flag is based on the traditional use of the tricolor (red, white, blue), which had been in use since the early part of Korea's history. White as the field symbolizes cleanliness of the people; the taegeuk represents the origin of all things in the universe, that describes the two principles of eum; yin in blue being negative and yang in red positive, coexisting together in harmony. All aspects together in a flag embody a never-ending motion within infinity and the two finally merging as one. After the Korean War (1950-53) that divided the nation, the South Korean side and a capitalist bastion developed into the world's 12th largest trading nation, becoming a major exporter of cars, consumer electronics, and computer components. A decade in the 90's saw South Koreas growth at 10% a year, three times that of the U.S. and double that of Japan. Even after the Asian financial crises, economic growth continues to perform well.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
It had been an independent country for much of its history, but following 1905, Korea was annexed by Japan. During the Second World War, Korea was split in two with North Korea under the Soviet sponsored Communist domination and South Korea a U.S. backed republic. Then North Korea attacked attempting to unite the two countries. Thus the Korean War (1950-53) ensued and with the aid of the U.N. backed U.S. forces, South Korea was able to hold the invading forces on the 38th parallel. The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) came into effect, it serves as a buffer zone. The war alone cost over three million casualties. A strip of land across the Korean Peninsula, 248 kilometers long and approximately 4 kilometers wide, the DMZ is U.N. monitored and the most heavily armed border in the world. North Korea's failure to win the war and unite with the south and under Communism, it responded by discarding the traditional Korean flag, and later revised it to reflect more closely with that of the USSR. The North Korea National flag contains three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (that is three times the width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; and on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a five pointed star. Although the Communist state retained the colors, they gave prominence to the color red and added a red star on the disk. The red stripe expresses revolutionary traditions while the red star is for Communism. The two blue stripes on the other hand stands for sovereignty, peace and friendship, the white stripe is for purity and red obviously is for revolutionary patriotism and Communism.
by: The Flagman
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Hinomaru or the "sun disc," also known, as the Nisshoki or the "sun flag' is the National Flag of Japan. Although the flag had been in use during the 15th and 16th century Sengoku (Warring States) as military banners, the flag was officially adopted on February 27, 1870 during the Meiji Restoration Period. However, not until August 13, 1999 did the flag became nationally proclaimed as an emblem. The history of Japan had been embroiled in wars, military conflicts and even between the various shoguns that ruled Japan during the early period. To protect the territory of each shogun, the Samurai were hired, and thus it became a social class much higher in status than the merchants and farmers. In 1603, Tokugawa a shogun himself solidified his rule (military dictatorship) over Japan and imposed the policy of isolation, particularly from foreign influence. For two centuries this policy gave Japan stability and development of its indigenous culture. In 1854, during the Meiji Restoration Period, Japan opened its doors to the world and started to modernize and industrialize. In so short a time, Japan became a military power and invaded Korea, China, and most of the countries in Southeast Asia. It even enticed the United States in a protracted war by bombing the American Military Base in Hawaii (Pearl Harbor). The Second World War came to an end abruptly when atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Then the American occupation started and under General Douglas McArthur, a new parliamentary constitution was drafted. With the aid of the Americans, the infrastructure of Japan was restored and for the next five decades, the economy bloomed and grew to a point second only to that of the United States.
by: The Flagman
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The residents of Kansas prefer their state be called the Sunflower State, because the native wildflower grows abundantly throughout and has been adopted as the state official flower. Kansas is located on the American Heartland, the mid-western central region of the United States of America. The name Kansas was probably derived on the Kansas River that flows through it; and Kansas River had its named coined after the Kansa tribe that inhabited the area. The tribes name is often referred to as "people of the wind" or "people of the south wind," although early pioneers could just have carried this description. As all states had their flags, Kansas could not be denied the satisfaction of designing one. And officially the Kansas state flag had the state seal and sunflower, but the original design had been modified in 1961 to include the name of the state. The State Flag of Kansas was adopted in 1927 it is represented as a dark blue silk rectangle that has been designed to appeal horizontally with the state seal at the center. On top of the seal is a sunflower placed over a twisted bar of gold and light blue. And right below the seal is the name of the state. In the past, Kansas was home to over 50million buffaloes, but by incessant hunting the population had dwindled to less than 1,000 bison. Cattle had once become the main activity of the residents, but it has long been taken over by manufacturing centers. In fact, the state supplies 70% of all aviation aircraft produced in the U.S.; also manufactures automobiles; is one of the top oil-producers of the country; and on it is the nations largest natural gas field.
by: The Flagman
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Hawkeye State is the official name of Iowa, though it is also known as "the tall corn state." A state located in the Mid-western region of the United States of America, it was named after the Ioway people of the Siouan tribe of Native Americans, the original settlers of the locality. It is the 29th state of the Union having joined on December 28, 1848. As a state it has its own emblem, the State Flag of Iowa composed of three vertical stripes of blue, white and red, a reflection of the state's history having been a part of the French Louisiana Territory. The central white stripe is wider and the design is symmetrical, a design arrangement that classifies the state flag as a Canadian pale. An image of the bald eagle is placed at the center of the white stripe that carries a long ribbon with the inscription "our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain," a phrase taken from the state seal. While the word Iowa is placed directly in red, just below the image of the bald eagle. The official emblem was first approved in May 1917 based on the design of Mrs. Dixie Cornell Derhardt and was adopted in 1921. The Mississippi river forms the eastern boundary and separates the state from Illinois and Wisconsin, while the west edge of the river borders Nebraska. On the northwest corner is the Big Sioux River, and forms part of the north/south boundary of the state with South Dakota. 92% of the present heartland of Iowa is blessed with fine fertile soil and is devoted solely to corn and soybean production, of which it topped the nations demand for this staple grain.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The "People of Han" as what ethnic Chinese refer to themselves, constitute 92% of the country's population. For several centuries China is at the forefront of civilization, leading the world in the field of arts and sciences but had experienced civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation in the 19th and early 20th century. Then the communists took over and under Mao Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that assures China's sovereignty, but imposed strict controls over everyday life that costs the lives of over ten million people. After 1978 though, successive leaders focused instead on the market-oriented economic development, thus by the year 2000 the climate had appreciated considerably and revenue output had quadrupled. For most of the over 1.5 billion people, living standards have improved significantly and personal choice had expanded, yet political rights remain thwarted. Despite the limited access granted to the people, they remained committed to the China National flag. A custom flag that is red with one large and four smaller five pointed star and appears in a vertical arc towards the middle of the flag, right in the upper hoist side corner. The flag was formally unveiled in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1949, the founding of the People's Republic of China. Red in the flag symbolizes the blood of the heroes; yellow is for the glorious history and culture of the Chinese people and also refers to the brightness of the communist future. In a more historical interpretation, the four smaller stars represent the traditional social divisions of the workers, the farmers, the intellectuals, and the businessmen. The biggest star refers to the Chinese Communist Party, which claims to be the leader of all.
by: The Flagman
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Qizilqum Desert in Uzbekistan eats up at least 80% of the nation and citizens inhabit the remaining 20% of the land. Population density is so high it is still classified as the most populous in Central Asia. Northeast and southeast of the country are all mountain ranges with the Fergana Valley as the most fertile region, and on it sits various cities and industries. The majority of the population is of ethnic Uzbeks and of Turkic descent are deeply rooted in the Sunni Muslim faith. The rural areas are home to most of the population, where cotton crops grow making Uzbekistan one of the world's top five producers. Even as topnotch producer of cotton, Uzbekistan's economic growth and living standards are among the lowest of the countries of the former USSR. Even the presence of the largest open-pit gold mine in Muruntau in the Qizilqum Desert (geologist claim as the Earth's largest gold deposit) may not be enough to raise the economic barometer of the country. However some quarters claim that Uzbekistan's economic woes comes from a smoldering government control, since being authoritarian it imposes rigid economic and severe laws to counter the threat posed by Islamic groups. Out of this malady, the National Flag of Uzbekistan flew proud as it was officially approved at the Seventh Extraordinary Session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan on November 18, 1991. Blue in the flag represents the Turkic influence of the Uzbek people, white symbolizes holy peace, green is allied with the nature of Islam, and the red stripes represents the power of life. The inclusion of the crescent has historical and religious undertones; the 12 stars represent spiritual and divine symbols, particularly the development of Islamic astronomy and scientific thoughts.
by: The Flagman
Friday, December 5, 2008
The homeland of the Turkmen is the desert nation Turkmenistan it has the lowest population density among the countries in Central Asia. A former republic of the USSR it gained independence in 1991. It is only after its independence that the Turkmenistan flag came out, but it was born with a bang as it was described as the most detailed national flag in the world. It features a green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side that contains five carpet guls (designs used in rugs) placed above two crossed olive branches, similar to the one used on the United Nations flag. In the upper corner of the green field just after the red stripe, a white waxing crescent moon (a Turkic symbol) and a white five pointed star is added, as a symbol for the hope and shining future of the country and the star represents the five provinces. The red and green color had been with the Turkmen for centuries. The five traditional carpet design represents the five major tribes or houses that are incorporated as motif in the country's flag. The addition of the wreath on the red stripe broke the carpet pattern as it was made a symbol of permanent neutrality, which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 12, 1995. Turkmenistan is rich in hydrocarbon and natural gas and could be a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery could be expanded and harnessed to its full potential. For the moment, the government is looking for alternative petroleum transportation routes, in hopes of breaking Russia's pipeline monopoly.
by: The Flagman
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tajikistan was once a part of the USSR and is formerly referred to as the "Tadzhik SSR" and the last republic to reveal the design of a new flag. The current National Flag of Tajikistan consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white, and green, a direct association to the flag of Iran, although red and green are reversed. The choice of the colors may have reference to Tajikistan's highly visible Persian culture. The white stripe at the center, which is one and a half times the width of the red and green stripes, has a crown emblem surrounded by seven stars. The red tint represents the unity of the nation, white is for the country's cotton industry and the unity of the people, and green is suggestive of the nature of the country. 90% of the country is covered by mountain and the majority of the people inhabit the river and valleys. Over 65% of the population is ethnic Tajiks, while 25% is of the Uzbek stock and the rest are groupings of various minorities. At the break-up of the USSR, Tajikistan declared independence in 1991 and right after, civil war erupted between the Moscow-backed government and the Islam led opposition. The internal conflict lasted for seven years, until a peace agreement was signed in 1997. The political turmoil of the 90's left the nations economy depressed, and to survive marginally Tajikistan relies heavily on Russian assistance. Russian troops are stationed at the border as deterrent against the entry of weapons, drugs and Islamic extremists. Tajikistan is blessed with sufficient water resources, and it is being harnessed to supply renewable energy to the country.
by: The Flagman
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Indus Valley civilization is one of the oldest in the world (dating back to as much as 5,000years) spread much of its influence to what is now Pakistan. Subsequent invasions by stronger and larger nations plagued the region, until the British took control of the state in the 18th century. In 1947 the British partitioned the region and granted autonomy to the Muslim state of Pakistan and the predominantly Hindu India. Becoming independent, the Muslim state of Pakistan designed its own emblem, patterned after the original flag of the Muslim League, and became official on August 11, 1947 just days before its independence. The Pakistan flag is referred to in the national anthem as Parchara-e-Sitara-o-Hilal or literally the flag of the crescent and star. The flag has vertical white stripe at the hoist and dark green at the fly. The dark green field represents the Muslim majority in Pakistan, while the white stripe is for the religious minorities. In the center of the flag is a white crescent moon that symbolizes progress, and a white five pointed star that is for light and knowledge. Further the flag is a direct symbol for Pakistan's commitment to Islam, the Islamic world, and the rights of religious minorities. Pakistan sits on the northwest of South Asia, the Indus River and its tributaries lies on the south and east of the country, while west is arid and mountainous. The North of the Country is dominated by great mountain, the Hindu Kush, the Karakoram, including the K2, the world's second highest peak after Mount Everest at 28,250feet. Owing to its terrain, most of the Pakistani's live along the banks of the great Indus River.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The soyombo and the tajitu are not normally heard words or maybe out of this world, but the fact is, these are part of the national emblem of Mongolia. Soyombo, describes the columnar preparation made on the abstract and geometric depiction of the elements fire, sun, moon, earth, water; while the tajitu is more popular as the yin-yang symbol. These national symbols are found in the National Flag of Mongolia, being at the center of the red band at the hoist side and shown in yellow. The flag has three equal vertical bands of blue flanked by two red bands on both sides, similar to the flag of 1949, except that the socialist star had been omitted. The flag became official or legal on February 12, 1992. Mongolia is one of the highest countries in the world, with elevation reaching an average of 1,580meters, contains mountains and plateaus. It is located sandwiched between two larger countries - Russia and China. Owing to its geographical setting, Mongolia experiences temperature extremes. The Gobi Desert dominates the southern part of Mongolia. The Mongol horsemen of Genghis Khan conquered most of Asia and Europe during the 13th century, a testament to the far-reaching influence of this heady race. Mongolia became a communist country in 1924, but evolved democratically as multi-party elections were held in 1990. Poverty still haunts country wide as agriculture production cannot sustain the needs of the population, and is a major concern for the new government. The economy for the moment relies heavily on the export of copper, livestock, animal products, wool, hides, cashmere, and gold to keep the standard of living tolerable.
by: The Flagman
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Kyrgyzstan National Flag is a red field with a striking yellow sun at the center that radiates forty rays and that it represents the forty Kyrgyz tribes. Or in some interpretations it suggests the forty warriors of the mythical hero Manas. In detail, the center of the sun had a red ring with crossed two sets of three lines, a visual representation of the crown or tunduk (a traditional Kyrgyz yurt), and a familiar symbol shown in the various rendition of Kyrgyz Architecture. The red of the flag represents peace and openness of the nation. Geographically, Kyrgyzstan is a rugged mountainous country that covers some 75% of the land. The nomadic Kyrgyz, Turkic-speaking tribes with close ties to Islam inhabit the high places and bred horses, cattle and yaks for centuries. Most of the citizen's standard of living is measured by the amount of horses and livestock in possession, considering that these animals are essential in the rugged terrain. A nation in central Asia shares border with China and was under the reign of the Tsar of Russia during the 19th century, which brought in thousands of Slavic farmers to the region. Although the Krygyz make up over 66% of the population, there is a large concentration of Uzbeks and some Russian minority that calls the country home. The country gained independence in 1991, raising livestock continues to dictate the agricultural based economy today. While revenues could also be attributed to the industry like small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs and as well as exports that covers cotton, wool, meat, tobacco, gold, mercury, uranium and also natural gas.
by: The Flagman
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