National flags change over time and it is difficult for flag books to stay current. New flags of the past few years are shown below. All artwork is by Ralph Kelly unless otherwise stated.
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Tokelau
Tokelau is a dependent territory of New Zealand. In May 2008 the General Fono (legislature) agreed on the design for a new flag for Tokelau, though formal adoption requires notification to New Zealand. The flag features a stylised outrigger canoe (vaka) and the Southern Cross, and was the result of a national symbols competition held in 2006 - 07. An October 2007 referendum on Free Association with New Zealand failed to achieve the necessary 67% majority by 18 votes. |
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Kosovo - Republic of Kosovo
Independence declared 17 February 2008. Independence has been recognised by the United States and several EU nations, but is not recognised by Serbia, Russia and China. Kosovo was a province of Serbia, but has been under United Nations administration since 1999 after NATO intervention to protect the Albanians ethnic population. The Albanian flag, without differencing, is widely used by the Albanians of Kosovo, who are the ethnic majority. |
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Iraq - Republic of Iraq
New flag 29 January 2008 with stars removed. Script reads: Allahu Akbar - “God is Great” - The Takbir. Form of flag from 1963 with three green stars, Takbir added 1991 and calligraphy changed to Kufic script in 2004. |
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Lesotho - Kingdom of Lesotho
New flag 4 October 2006. Central emblem is a Basotho hat, (mokorotlo) which had appeared on the Lesotho flag from 1966 - 1987. |
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Montenegro - Republika Crna Gora
Independent 3 June 2006, 192nd member of United Nations on 28 June 2006. Flag dates from 12 July 2004 and is similar to the Royal flag of 1861-78 and 1910-18. |
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Venezuela - Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
New flag 7 March 2006 with revised coat of arms and addition of 8th star. Form of flag from 16 April 1836 and colours of flag from 1811. |
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Congo - Kinshasa - Democratic Republic of the Congo
New flag 18 February 2006. Similar flag in use 1963 - 1971. |
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Afghanistan - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
New flag 18 February 2006 and is similar to the flags used 1931-73 and 2002-04. A number variants are in use, including a flag with 1x2 proportions where the arms do not overlap the black and green stripes. |
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Timor-Leste - República Democrática de Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Independent 20 May 2002, 191st member of United Nations on 27 September 2002. Flag dates from 22 March 2002 and is similar to the East Timor flag from 28 November 1975, when independence was unilaterally declared. |