Aries Time covers the island nation of Cape Verde. The colours of the flag are red, white, and black. The single red star indicates that it one step off of UTC Zulu Time. Aries was chosen for this time zone since it is the first sign of the Western Zodiac and this is the first time zone of the Western Hemisphere. Thus Cape Verde is the first nation of the Western Hemisphere and only nation to exist detached in between the continents by longitude.
The flag for the UTC +1 Time Zone uses the colours white, red, and black. It features a red star in the lower white fly region to represent an addition of one hour to Greenwich Mean Time. In the upper fly is the first symbol of the Eastern Zodiac - the Rat. Note that Year of the Rat symbol is the Westernized symbol for the Year of the Rat.
This time zone has many names which lends many names to this flag: GMT +1 Time Zone Flag, West Africa Time Zone Flag, Western European Summer Time Flag, British Summer Time Flag, Irish Standard Time Zone Flag, Swatch Internet Time Zone Flag, Romance Standard Time, and finally the Central European Time Zone Flag.
Nations that fall under the Rat Time Zone all year round include most of Central Atlantic Africa: Angola, Western Greater Congo, Little Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Benin, and Tunisia.
During the Fall and Winter much of the EU falls under Rat Time: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Bosnia, Albania, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Spain, Gibraltar, Andorra, San Marino, the Vatican, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Montenegro, Malta, Macedonia, Czech, and of course France.
But during the Spring and Summer, much of the UK, Portugal, and Ireland switch to the Rat Flag. Likewise during the same time frame - yet on opposite seasons - Namibia fall under the Rat Flag at nearly the same time as the British Isles.
The time zone that passes though Greenwich, England is the key tuning time fork for our planet. Nowadays it, UTC Time or Coordinated Universal Time, is the standard which artificial times zones have been aligned with.
The flag for "Zero or ZULU" 0:00 UTC/GMT uses the colours black, white, green and yellow. Green in the central stripe as Greenwich was the original coordinated time keeper of Earth before UTC. Likewise the symbol for an Ox was chosen as both Eastern and Western cultures include oxen in their mythical zodiac. The Ox is the second sign of the Greek Zodiac while the Bull is the second sign of the Chinese Zodiac.
This flag can be flown anywhere in UK, Portugal, and West Africa since these nations are all United in Time to Zero-UTC:GMT.
So which state has the largest internal area that does not have an international border or coastline? The answer: Nevada. Thus this flag is for 'states' that have the largest area without private access to a foreign areas.
The central square represents that this state had no direct international connections by land or sea, as it surrounded by red striped barriers. The triangles reinforce that this state is disconnected from the sea and a land boarder.
But Nevada was not always the Biggest State with inside connections. From 1861 until 1864 Kansas was the largest inside state. From 1821 until 1861 Missouri had the biggest internal organ of America. But the first state to become the best insider was Tennessee, after Jefferson purchased Louisiana Territory rights from the Napoleon in 1803.
In Mexico, Durango holds the title of largest internal state without a border by land or sea. In contrast with Canada, no province or territory is completely internal. I suppose that's why most Canadians have a keen international awareness.
The flag for the state with the largest maritime area is composed of the colours red, white and blue. Along the fly is a trident which represents the powers of the sea. On the field are lines of latitude, which are important in seafaring.
Alaska is a state of many superlatives - biggest, tallest, coldest, most northern, most western - and it also holds the title of Largest Area of Maritime Waters under its jurisdiction. But this wasn't always so. Ten other states had once laid claim the America's Trident.
Previously Michigan was the Sea King from 1837 until 1959. Michigan reigned for 122 years, and is still the Sea King for the UCF - United Contiguous 48.
Before Michigan, Louisiana was Sea Queen from 1812 until 1837. Louisiana sailed as The Water Lord of America for 25 years, beating out New York's record by one year.
Before Louisiana, New York had the biggest pool from 1788 until 1812. New York's position as the Prince of American Pools lasted for 24 years.
Before New York, Virginia was the Princess of American Pools. Virginia's reign lasted a solid month from June 25, 1788 until July 26, 1788.
Before Virginia, Massachusetts was the Dominant Duck of American Seas. Massachusetts' reign dominated the entire duration of America's "first" spring, from February 6, 1788 until June 25, 1788.
Before Massachusetts, Georgia was the Crabby King of American waters. Georgia's reign lasted for a complete month with a little extra from January 2, 1788 until February 6, 1788.
Before Georgia, New Jersey was the American Salty Dog. New Jersey's reign was short one month, from December 18, 1787 until January 2, 1788.
Before New Jersey, Delaware was the biggest Prince of Prawns. It may seem unfair but Delaware holds all claims, including this one. But only for a week and a half from December 7, 1787 until December 18, 1787.
Since these states no longer hold the title of the State with the Largest Maritime Area, they can fly the flag with the years or year listed when their were the largest water rulers of American Seas, or the most powerful "Waterbender" of the nation.
Flags on book covers are a popular motif. Especially for non-fiction international expositions and opinions, and secondly for espionage thrillers. But every once and a while really snappy and original flags are created.
Here on the cover of Superfusion 2009 by Zachary Karabell the flags of China and United States have been fused. To the average person they may just look like some strange nation, but after a moment the crossing of cantons becomes obvious.
This book delivers as its covers suggests, "How China and America become one economy and why the world's prosperity depends on it."
Note if you dig directly under the United States you won't hit China. However the US has small antipodal parts that are directly underneath a portion of Antarctica and Africa - Nigeria, Namibia; and the remote islands of the South India Ocean - Kerguelen.
Likewise if you are in China - parts of South America are directly underneath, notably Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru and a remote part of the UK.
Here the United States canton is superimposed on the red field of China.
In contrast we have the field of American stripes overtaking the flag of China.
