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GeographyHard

The Great Flag Challenge

Bhutan calls itself Druk Yul (Land of the Thunder Dragon), Liechtenstein's flag changes between peace and war, and 4 sovereign countries still bear the Union Jack. 20 world flags to identify.

20

Questions

4

Minutes

Tip: Use keys 1-4 to answer quickly

The 20 quiz questions

Question 1 : Which country has a thunder dragon on its flag?

Possible answers:

  • Sri Lanka
  • Wales
  • Bhutan
  • Malta

Explanation: The Druk (thunder dragon) on an orange and yellow background. Bhutan calls itself "Druk Yul" (Land of the Thunder Dragon).

Question 2 : This flag is nearly identical to Romania's. It is?

Possible answers:

  • Moldova
  • Chad
  • Guinea
  • Andorra

Explanation: The only difference is the blue: indigo for Chad, cobalt for Romania. Chad protested at the United Nations, without success.

Question 3 : Which is the only country whose flag changes depending on whether it is at war or at peace?

Possible answers:

  • Switzerland
  • Paraguay
  • Israel
  • The Philippines

Explanation: In peace, blue is on top. In war, red (courage/blood) moves to the top. It is unique in the world.

Question 4 : This flag is the most detailed in the world. It belongs to?

Possible answers:

  • Belize
  • Turkmenistan
  • Bhutan
  • Sri Lanka

Explanation: 5 guls (traditional carpet patterns) on a vertical stripe, plus olive branches. Each gul represents a tribe.

Question 5 : How many sovereign countries have the Union Jack in their official flag?

Possible answers:

  • 2
  • 4
  • 6
  • 8

Explanation: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tuvalu. Hawaii has it too but it is a US state, not a country.

Question 6 : Which country is represented by this flag with a frigatebird and a rising sun?

Possible answers:

  • Tuvalu
  • Nauru
  • Kiribati
  • Samoa

Explanation: The golden frigatebird symbolizes freedom and traditional dance. Kiribati is the first country to see each new day.

Question 7 : Purple is the rarest color on flags. How many countries have it?

Possible answers:

  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 5

Explanation: Nicaragua has a rainbow (with purple) on its coat of arms, and Dominica has a Sisserou parrot with a purple chest.

Question 8 : Which country is represented by this flag?

Possible answers:

  • Eswatini
  • Lesotho
  • Botswana
  • Zimbabwe

Explanation: Formerly Swaziland. The Nguni shield and spears represent the protection of the Swazi people. It is the last absolute monarchy in Africa.

Question 9 : Which country has a firearm on its flag?

Possible answers:

  • Eritrea
  • Angola
  • Zimbabwe
  • Mozambique

Explanation: The AK-47 crossed with a hoe symbolizes armed struggle and agriculture. Regular debates attempt to remove it.

Question 10 : Which national flag has the most distinct colors?

Possible answers:

  • South Africa
  • Belize
  • Seychelles
  • Turkmenistan

Explanation: The complex coat of arms of Belize includes over 12 colors: the two woodcutters, mahogany tree, ship and tools create this unique diversity. It is the most detailed national flag in the world.

Question 11 : Which country held a referendum in 2016 to change its flag but ultimately kept it?

Possible answers:

  • New Zealand
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Fiji

Explanation: The Silver Fern proposal lost 56.6% to 43.3%. The cost of the referendum: 26 million New Zealand dollars.

Question 12 : Which country has 4 stars and a crescent on a green triangle?

Possible answers:

  • Mauritania
  • Algeria
  • Pakistan
  • Comoros

Explanation: The 4 stars represent the 4 islands (Grande Comore, Mohéli, Anjouan, Mayotte, although Mayotte is French).

Question 13 : This horizontal blue-white-red tricolor flag belongs to...?

Possible answers:

  • The Netherlands
  • France
  • Luxembourg
  • Russia

Explanation: Classic trick! Russia, the Netherlands and Luxembourg all have this horizontal tricolor. France has it vertically. The shades of blue differ.

Question 14 : The Danish Dannebrog, the oldest flag in the world, is said to have fallen from the sky in...

Possible answers:

  • 1066
  • 1219
  • 1492
  • 1789

Explanation: According to legend, it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse in Estonia, enabling the Danish victory.

Question 15 : Which country has a yellow circle on a blue background?

Possible answers:

  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Palau
  • Bangladesh

Explanation: The circle represents the full moon, a symbol of peace and activity. Slightly off-center like the Japanese sun or the Bangladeshi circle.

Question 16 : Which is the only national flag that is not a quadrilateral?

Possible answers:

  • Nepal
  • Vatican
  • Bhutan
  • Switzerland

Explanation: Two triangular pennants. Switzerland and the Vatican are square (quadrilaterals). Nepal is the only country with a completely irregular shape.

Question 17 : Which country has a bird of paradise on a red and black background?

Possible answers:

  • Angola
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Albania
  • Trinidad and Tobago

Explanation: The Kumul (bird of paradise) and the Southern Cross. Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 languages, a world record.

Question 18 : How many times has Afghanistan changed its flag since 1900?

Possible answers:

  • 3 times
  • 5 times
  • 10 times
  • About 20 times

Explanation: Each regime change (monarchy, communism, Taliban, republic, Taliban again) brought a new flag. This is the world record for flag changes.

Question 19 : Which country has a flag with oblique multicolored rays?

Possible answers:

  • Seychelles
  • Mauritius
  • Comoros
  • South Africa

Explanation: The 5 rays (blue, yellow, red, white, green) symbolize a country looking toward the future. Unique design adopted in 1996.

Question 20 : Paraguay is unique because its flag has different front and back sides. What is on the back?

Possible answers:

  • The map of the country
  • A condor
  • A sun
  • The Treasury seal

Explanation: Front: national seal (star surrounded by palms). Back: Treasury seal (lion guarding a Phrygian cap). Along with Oregon (US state), one of the few two-sided flags.

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