Flag of Slovakia

What the flag looks like

Three equal horizontal stripes of white, blue and red, with the coat of arms on the hoist side: a white double cross standing on three blue hills on a red shield edged in white.

What it means

White, blue and red are pan-Slavic colors; the double cross reflects the Christian heritage brought by Saints Cyril and Methodius, and the three hills are traditionally the Tatra, Fatra and Mátra ranges.

How to remember it

Slovakia's large red shield carries a white double cross on three blue hills; Slovenia's smaller blue shield shows a mountain and stars.

Fun facts

• The flag was adopted in September 1992, a few months before Czechoslovakia peacefully split on 1 January 1993.
• Without the shield, Slovakia's flag would be identical to Russia's.

Slovakia at a glance

Capital

Bratislava

Region

Central Europe

Population

5.4 million

Area

49,037 km²

Languages

Slovak

Currency

Euro (€)

Flag adopted

1992

Flags often confused with Slovakia

• Slovenia: Slovenia and Slovakia are both white, blue and red stripes with a coat of arms. Slovenia's is a small blue shield with a mountain, high in the corner; Slovakia's is a larger red shield with a white double cross.
• Russia: Russia and Slovakia are both white, blue and red horizontal stripes. Slovakia has a red shield with a white double cross on the hoist side; Russia's flag is plain.
• Serbia: Serbia and Slovakia both use red, blue and white stripes with a coat of arms. Serbia has red on top and a white eagle; Slovakia has white on top and a white double cross on a red shield.