The 15 quiz questions
Question 1 : What is the smallest island state in the world, whose flag is shown here?
Possible answers:
- Nauru
- Tuvalu
- Palau
- Monaco
Explanation: 21 km² and ~10,000 inhabitants. The yellow stripe = the equator, the 12-pointed star = the 12 original tribes. Former tax haven.
Question 2 : This flag with 9 stars representing 9 islands belongs to?
Possible answers:
- Marshall Islands
- Tuvalu
- Nauru
- Micronesia
Explanation: One of the countries most threatened by rising sea levels. ~11,000 inhabitants on 26 km². The 9 stars = the 9 inhabited atolls.
Question 3 : Which country is represented by this flag?
Possible answers:
- Nauru
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
Explanation: The diagonal orange and white stripes symbolize the Ralik (sunset) and Ratak (sunrise) atoll chains. Site of American nuclear tests (Bikini).
Question 4 : Which small African island country is represented?
Possible answers:
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Mauritius
- Comoros
- Cape Verde
Explanation: The two black stars represent the two main islands. Former Portuguese colonies in the Gulf of Guinea, independent since 1975.
Question 5 : Which Pacific country has a boar's tusk in a Y shape on its flag?
Possible answers:
- Fiji
- Vanuatu
- Samoa
- Tonga
Explanation: The circular boar's tusk symbolizes prosperity (boars are traditional currency). The cycas leaves = peace.
Question 6 : Which Southeast Asian sultanate is represented?
Possible answers:
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Brunei
Explanation: The royal parasol and hands symbolize the benevolence of the government. Brunei is one of the richest countries thanks to oil.
Question 7 : Which landlocked African country is represented by this flag with a traditional hat?
Possible answers:
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Botswana
- Malawi
Explanation: The Mokorotlo (Basotho conical hat) is a national symbol. Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa.
Question 8 : Which South American country is represented?
Possible answers:
- Suriname
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Belize
Explanation: The yellow star symbolizes the unity of 5 ethnic groups. A former Dutch colony, Suriname is the only Dutch-speaking country in South America.
Question 9 : Which small country in the Horn of Africa is represented?
Possible answers:
- Ethiopia
- Eritrea
- Somalia
- Djibouti
Explanation: Blue (Issas) and green (Afars) represent the two main ethnic groups. The red star symbolizes unity.
Question 10 : Which West African country is represented?
Possible answers:
- Guinea
- Senegal
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
Explanation: The Pan-African black star on the vertical red stripe. Independent from Portugal since 1974 after a long independence war.
Question 11 : Which Pacific country has 4 stars on a blue background?
Possible answers:
- China
- New Zealand
- Micronesia
- Somalia
Explanation: The 4 stars = the 4 states (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae). Former US trust territory, independent since 1986.
Question 12 : What is the youngest country in Asia (independence 2002)?
Possible answers:
- South Sudan
- Montenegro
- Kosovo
- East Timor
Explanation: Independent from Indonesia in 2002 after a referendum. Red = struggle, black = colonial obscurantism, yellow = colonialism, white = peace.
Question 13 : Which Indian Ocean archipelago is represented?
Possible answers:
- Mauritius
- Comoros
- Seychelles
- Maldives
Explanation: The 4 stripes and 4 stars represent the 4 islands (Grande Comore, Anjouan, Mohéli and Mayotte, which remained French).
Question 14 : Which small Caribbean state has an endemic parrot on its flag?
Possible answers:
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Dominican Republic
- Dominica
- Grenada
Explanation: The Sisserou (Amazona imperialis) is critically endangered. Dominica is one of only two national flags with purple.
Question 15 : Which country is the first in the world to see the sunrise each day?
Possible answers:
- Tonga
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Japan
Explanation: Kiribati's 33 atolls span 3.5 million km² of ocean. The golden frigatebird and sun reflect the perpetual sunrise on the date line.
