FlagAndMap Weblog » Latest News

2014 Winter Olympics

mapster — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 04:21:04 +0000

Congratulations to all who took part in the Winter Olympics at Sochi and especially to those from the Russian Federation who pulled off a memorable national team performance. Indeed that nation can be said to have won, no matter how you look at the medals table. As to which nation came second, opinions may differ. We don’t, however, calculate a GDP adjusted ranking for the Winter Olympics as we do for the Summer Olympics because of the rather hard to measure ‘arctic’ or ‘alpine’ factor that impacts performance more than GDP. If a GDP adjustment were made, Norway would clearly be big winners, and they certainly benefit from the ‘arctic’ factor. So for the Winter Olympics we just sit back and enjoy our favorite events, like boardercross.

Wrap up the year with a gift

mapster — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 12:00:42 +0000

The year end is a great time for giving gifts. FlagAndMap products with global designs based on national flags and maps make ideal gifts for friends or colleagues around the world. Listed below are some specific national celebrations that occur in December prior to the end of the year when everyone welcomes a token of appreciation.

Dec 1: Great Union Day in Romania
Dec 2: National Day in Laos and the United Arab Emirates
Dec 5: The King’s Birthday in Thailand
Dec 6: Independence Day in Finland
Dec 12: Jamhuri Day in Kenya
Dec 16: Independence Day in Kazakhstan; National Day in Bahrain
Dec 17: National (Coronation) Day in Bhutan
Dec 18: National Day in Qatar
Dec 21: Independence Day in Nepal
Dec 25: Christmas celebrated by Western Christian communities

November Lights

mapster — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 07:00:52 +0000

This year on November 3 the start of the Hindu festival of Diwali coincides with a solar eclipse. It’s appropriate perhaps that this ‘festival of lights’ will begin with the concealing and revealing of our brightest light. Regrettably most Hindus will not see this as the eclipse will occur mainly over the Atlantic and West Africa. Meanwhile Islamic communities welcome in a new year and several other countries celebrate national days in November, as listed below.

Nov 1: State Day in Antigua and Barbuda
Nov 3: Independence Day in Micronesia and Dominica; Separation Day in Panama
Nov 4: New Year in the Islamic calendar; National Day in Tonga
Nov 9: Independence Day in Cambodia
Nov 11: Independence Day in Angola and Poland
Nov 15: Independence Day in Palestine
Nov 18: Independence Day in Latvia and Morocco; National Day in Oman
Nov 19: National Day in Monaco
Nov 22: Independence Day in Lebanon
Nov 25: Independence Day in Suriname
Nov 28: Independence Day in Mauritania and Albania
Nov 30: Independence Day in Barbados; St. Andrew’s Day in Scotland

A Dot On The Map

mapster — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 06:03:46 +0000

What’s going on with our latest t-shirt designs? … they might drive you dotty! Take a look at the examples below. The images begin as just a few enlarged dots, which gradually multiply as the resoluton increases, until you get … a map of whichever US state you choose. Underneath is a ‘. . .’ followed by the name of the state. We think that text sounds good but it’s editable, so if you prefer a personalized slogan just go ahead and type it in before checkout. This apparel is available through our Famusa online store.

… and here’s a close up of the Texas design:

October around the world

mapster — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 15:00:27 +0000

Several countries have interesting names for their national days but one of our favorites is that of Taiwan – Double Ten Day – which occurs (surprise!) on October 10. Get ready for festivities in October with Croatians, Germans, Nigerians, Ugandans and many more on the dates listed below.

Oct 1: Independence Day in Cyprus, Nigeria, Palau and Tuvalu; National Day in China
Oct 2: Independence Day in Guinea-Conakry
Oct 3: Independence Day in Iraq; Unity Day in Germany
Oct 4: Independence Day in Lesotho
Oct 8: Independence Day in Croatia
Oct 9: Independence Day in Uganda
Oct 10: Double Ten Day in Taiwan; Fiji Day in Fiji; Independence Day in Cuba
Oct 12: Independence Day in Equatorial Guinea; National Day in Spain
Oct 15: Eid al-Adha celebrated by Islamic communities
Oct 19: Constitution Day in Nuie
Oct 23: Liberation Day in Libya
Oct 24: Independence Day in Zambia
Oct 26: National Day in Austria
Oct 27: Independence Day in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Turkmenistan
Oct 28: Independence Day in Czechia
Oct 29: Republic Day in Turkey

September Beginnings

mapster — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 09:00:34 +0000

By September, as year end in the western calendar approaches, a new year is about to be celebrated in Jewish communities (from September 4). Perhaps the end of summer is indeed a good opportunity to start afresh and renew those global connections that may have been neglected all year. Contacts from countries listed below may well appreciate a timely greeting on their national day.

Sep 1: Constitution Day in Slovakia; Independence Day in Uzbekistan
Sep 2: Independence Day in Vietnam
Sep 4: Rosh Hashana celebrated by Jewish communities
Sep 6: Independence Day in Swaziland
Sep 7: Independence Day in Brazil
Sep 8: Independence Day in Macedonia; Our Lady of Meritxell Day in Andorra
Sep 9: Independence Day in North Korea and Tajikistan
Sep 15: Independence Day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
Sep 16: Grito de Dolores (Independence Day) in Mexico; Independence Day in Papua New Guinea
Sep 18: National Day in Chile
Sep 19: Independence Day in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Sep 21: Independence Day in Armenia, Belize and Malta
Sep 22: Independence Day in Bulgaria and Mali
Sep 23: National Day in Saudi Arabia
Sep 24: Independence Day in Guinea-Bissau
Sep 30: Independence Day in Botswana

Many nations celebrate in August

mapster — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:23:17 +0000

August has numerous national holidays around the world (see below) but is also designated a ‘holiday month’ in many European countries. If you’re lucky enough to be lounging in the sun this August share the warmth with any expat friends who might be celebrating on one of the dates listed below.

Aug 1: Independence Day in Benin; National Day in Switzerland
Aug 3: Independence Day in Niger
Aug 5: Independence Day in Burkina Faso
Aug 6: Independence Day in Bolivia and Jamaica
Aug 7: Independence Day in Cote d’Ivoire
Aug 8: Eid al-Fitr celebrated by Islamic communities
Aug 9: National Day in Singapore
Aug 10: Independence Day in Ecuador
Aug 11: Independence Day in Chad
Aug 13: Independence Day in Centrafrique
Aug 14: Independence Day in Pakistan
Aug 15: Independence Day in Congo-Brazzaville and India; Liberation Day in South Korea; National Day in Liechtenstein
Aug 16: Restoration Day in the Dominican Republic
Aug 17: Independence Day in Gabon and Indonesia
Aug 19: Independence Day in Afghanistan
Aug 20: St. Stephen’s Day in Hungary
Aug 24: Independence Day in Ukraine
Aug 25: Independence Day in Uruguay
Aug 27: Independence Day in Moldova
Aug 29: National Uprising Day in Slovakia
Aug 30: Constitution Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Aug 31: Hari Merdeka in Malaysia; Independence Day in Kyrgyzstan and Trinidad and Tobago

North America celebrates in July

mapster — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:20:30 +0000

Much of North America that is. Canada Day is on July 1 while the USA celebrates its independence on July 4 and even the Bahamas have their independence day on Jul 10. So if you know people in or from North America, July would be a good month to party with them. Additionally, as listed below, several other nations enjoy special occasions in July – timely opportunities to keep in touch with friends from those countries with a FlagAndMap postcard.

Jul 1: Canada Day in Canada; Independence Day in Burundi and Rwanda; National Day in the British Virgin Islands
Jul 3: Independence Day in Belarus
Jul 4: Independence Day in the United States
Jul 5: Independence Day in Algeria, Cape Verde and Venezuela
Jul 6: Independence Day in the Comoros and Malawi
Jul 7: Independence Day in the Solomon Islands
Jul 9: Ramadan observed by Islamic communities; Independence Day in Argentina
Jul 10: Independence Day in the Bahamas
Jul 11: Naadam Holiday begins in Mongolia
Jul 12: Independence Day in Kiribati and Sao Tome and Principe
Jul 14: Bastille Day in France
Jul 20: Independence Day in Colombia
Jul 21: Independence Day in Belgium; Liberation Day in Guam
Jul 23: Revolution Day in Egypt
Jul 25: Constitution Day in Puerto Rico
Jul 26: Independence Day in Liberia
Jul 28: Independence Day in Peru
Jul 30: Independence Day in Vanuatu

Revamped FlagAndMap Store at Spreadshirt

mapster — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:06:02 +0000

FlagAndMap designs are used to create distinctive products that are available through a number of print on demand manufacturers. One such outlet is Spreadshirt whose platform mainly offers apparel such as t-shirts and sweatshirts. We have recently revamped the FlagAndMap store at Spreadshirt to include a refreshed selection of t-shirts and sweatshirts. Design examples are shown below, including designs with editable text that can easily be altered to a message of your choice. Designs are available for every nation, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, China to the Pitcairn Islands, so no matter which part of the world interests you there’s sure to be a suitable product available in the store.

When is the Summer Solstice not in June?

mapster — Sun, 26 May 2013 11:00:59 +0000

Simply when you are south of the equator – in that case the June solstice is actually the winter solstice. Nevertheless, in either hemisphere the mid-year solstice will occur at 05:04 UTC on June 21 this year and is a worldwide event that you can celebrate with friends regardless of nationality. For more nationally specific opportunities in June to strengthen your global connections see our list of key world events listed below.

Jun 1: Independence Day in Samoa
Jun 2: Republic Day in Italy
Jun 5: Constitution Day in Denmark
Jun 6: National Day in Sweden
Jun 10: Portugal Day in Portugal
Jun 12: Independence Day in the Philippines; Russia Day in the Russian Federation
Jun 14: Liberation Day in the Falkland Islands
Jun 17: National Day in Iceland
Jun 18: National Day in the Seychelles
Jun 21: Ullortuneq in Greenland
Jun 23: National Day in Luxembourg
Jun 25: Independence Day in Mozambique; Statehood Day in Slovenia
Jun 26: Independence Day in Madagascar
Jun 27: Independence Day in Djibouti
Jun 30: Independence Day in Congo-Kinshasa