Listed alphabetically and fully illustrated, the flags of every sovereign state are displayed in this guide, with accompanying statistics on the flag's ratio, its use, date of adoption and date of last amendment. The flags are fully up-to-date for 2003 and are presented in full and correct colours for each flag to help with identification, along with an explanation of its symbolism. Accompanying the flag text is a concise history of each nation and flag, and a panel of statistics and facts (such as national anthem, motto, population size, religious and ethnic groups). Carefully chosen stamps convey further information about each nation and a colour 16-page political map section helps readers to locate the nations. In addition to the national flags there are the state flags of the United States of America and the provinces of Canada, flags of international organizations, signal flags and ensigns, rules on the display and use of flags (when to fly a flag, when to fly a flag at half mast, when to fly upside down and so on), a history of flags and a glossary of flag terms.