Kosovo is one of the world's newest countries, having declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following a period of international administration after the 1998-99 conflict. It is recognised by over 100 UN member states and is a predominantly Albanian-populated territory with significant Serbian Orthodox cultural heritage, including medieval monasteries that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Pristina is its rapidly developing capital and largest city.
Population and area are rounded.
Kosovo's flag was chosen in 2008 at independence from a design competition, and it avoids the national symbols of both Albania and Serbia. It shows the country's outline in gold on blue, colours chosen to echo the flag of Europe. The six white stars stand for the main communities living in Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma and Bosniaks.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, and about half of the member states of the United Nations recognise it; Serbia does not. The flag was designed by Muhamer Ibrahimi. Many Kosovo Albanians also fly the red flag of Albania with its black eagle, especially on Albanian Flag Day, 28 November, while the official flag appears on government buildings and at international events.
Blue field with a golden map of Kosovo and six white stars above it.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and is recognised by over 100 UN member states.
Kosovo's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:
Every flag that has flown over Kosovo, from today back through time.
Adopted on 17 February 2008 with the declaration of independence — one of the world's newest national flags. It deliberately avoids Albanian and pan-Slavic colors, using a blue field with a gold map and six white stars for the main ethnic groups.
Empires, kingdoms and republics that once covered part of Kosovo.
The blue-white-red Pan-Slavic tricolor symbolized the union of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, flown by the Kingdom until the Axis invasion of 1941.
Tito's Partisans added a red, gold-bordered star to the tricolor; it marked the country's communist character until the federation's violent breakup in the 1990s.
The 6 states, provinces and regions of Kosovo with their own flags.
Pristina
Peja
Gjakova
Prizren
Ferizaj
GjilanKosovo shares a land border with 4 countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
4 other national flags use the same main colours as Kosovo's.
Play Globalio and learn Kosovo's flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Albania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Serbia
Argentina
Nauru
Uruguay