The stories of nations as told through their flags. The Firefly Guide to Flags of the World is an authoritative and brightly illustrated guide to 193 national flags of every sovereign state and territory. Organized alphabetically by nation, each flag is shown with accompanying statistics on the flag's ratio, its use, date of adoption, and date of its most recent amendment. The fascinating explanation of a flag's design and symbolism, and the story of how it came into being presents the history and aspirations of the country it represents. A sample stamp from each country adds further insight. The book also features: Brief history of flags Anatomy of flags Illustrated directory of flag styles State flags of the United States Provincial flags of Canada Flags of the United Kingdom Flags of international organizations Signal flags and ensigns World map Quick-reference fact files include the geographical area, population, capital city, languages, religions, ethnic groups, national anthem title and national motto. Compiled by a team of international experts and endorsed by the Flag Institute, Firefly Guide to Flags of the World touches on the geography and history while also being a guide to a country's most important symbol.