The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Europe

Flag France, in 36 editions.

The entry for France published Flag in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 14 editions. Each is shown as published. Flag in every entry.

editions changed the text
14
the first edition with it
1990
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Flag” (1990 to 2025) and “Flag description” (1997 to 2024).

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.

2025 edition

Changed since 2024

Open the 2025 entry

description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (left side), white, and red
history:
  • known as the le tricolore (tricolor), the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution, when the traditional color of white was combined with the blue and red of the Paris militia;
  • for the first four years of the flag's use (1790-94), the order of colors was reversed (red-white-blue)

note 1: serves as the official flag for all French dependencies

note 2: the design and colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Netherlands

description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist (left side), white, and red; red
history:
known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of le tricolore (tricolor), the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution Revolution, when the "ancient French color" traditional color of white was combined with the blue and red colors of the Parisian Paris militia; the official flag for all French dependent areas
note: for
the first four years, 1790-94, years of the flag's use (1790-94), the order of colors was reversed, red-white-blue, instead of reversed (red-white-blue)
note 1: serves as
the current blue-white-red; official flag for all French dependencies
note 2:
the design and/or and colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Netherlands

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “France: Flag.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/france/flag.

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