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 national flag with the most distinct colors 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.
