Countries
The countries comprising Europe include Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Blank Map of Europe! Digital image. Blank Digital Map of Europe! YourEuropeMap.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016. <http://www.youreuropemap.com/>. Edited by Rebekah Wong on November 17, 2016.
The Flags
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/austria.gif)
Austria
The Austrian flag was said to be inspired by Duke Leopold V. of Austria during the involvement in a battle during the Crusades. After the fight, his white battledress was soaked in blood, but when he removed his belt, the cloth underneath was still white. This reference is where the red and white stripes idea originated from.
The Austrian flag was said to be inspired by Duke Leopold V. of Austria during the involvement in a battle during the Crusades. After the fight, his white battledress was soaked in blood, but when he removed his belt, the cloth underneath was still white. This reference is where the red and white stripes idea originated from.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/1479596962.png)
Belgium
The Belgium flag colors are based on the coat of arms of the province of Brabant. The vertical stripe design was based on the design of France's flag.
The Belgium flag colors are based on the coat of arms of the province of Brabant. The vertical stripe design was based on the design of France's flag.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/france.gif)
France
The French flag is based on a red, white, and blue cockade, or badge of concentric circles, which was worn by King Louis XVI while addressing a revolutionary gathering in Paris. The King had added white as the traditional color of french royalty and blue and red are the traditional livery colors of the Paris, the capital.
The French flag is based on a red, white, and blue cockade, or badge of concentric circles, which was worn by King Louis XVI while addressing a revolutionary gathering in Paris. The King had added white as the traditional color of french royalty and blue and red are the traditional livery colors of the Paris, the capital.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/germany.gif)
Germany
The German flag colors are traced back to the early 19th century volunteers, who fought for the country in the Napoleonic wars. The colors are based on the soldiers' uniforms: black coats with red braid and gold buttons.
The German flag colors are traced back to the early 19th century volunteers, who fought for the country in the Napoleonic wars. The colors are based on the soldiers' uniforms: black coats with red braid and gold buttons.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/liechtenstein.gif)
Liechtenstein
The Liechtenstein flag has blue and red, which are the country's national colors. The gold crown outlined in black is the symbol of princely authority and represents the bond between the Liechtenstein's prince, the state, and the people.
The Liechtenstein flag has blue and red, which are the country's national colors. The gold crown outlined in black is the symbol of princely authority and represents the bond between the Liechtenstein's prince, the state, and the people.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/luxembourg.gif)
Luxembourg
The flag of Luxembourg colors originate from the 13th century coat of arms of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Count Henry VI. The coat of arms featured a red lion on a field of white and blue stripes.
The flag of Luxembourg colors originate from the 13th century coat of arms of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Count Henry VI. The coat of arms featured a red lion on a field of white and blue stripes.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/monaco.gif)
Monaco
Red and white were the heraldic colors of the ruling Grimaldi family. The colors appear as a diamond shaped pattern on the shield family's coat of arms.
Red and white were the heraldic colors of the ruling Grimaldi family. The colors appear as a diamond shaped pattern on the shield family's coat of arms.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/netherlands.gif)
Netherlands
The red stripe that was originally orange, along with white and blue stripes, are based on the coat of arms colors of Prince William of Orange, who led the fight for Dutch Independence.
The red stripe that was originally orange, along with white and blue stripes, are based on the coat of arms colors of Prince William of Orange, who led the fight for Dutch Independence.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/4/6/11468847/switzerland.gif)
Switzerland
The Switzerland flag has a white cross that represents faith in Christianity. In modern times, the flag has been known to represent neutrality, democracy, peace, and refuge.
The Switzerland flag has a white cross that represents faith in Christianity. In modern times, the flag has been known to represent neutrality, democracy, peace, and refuge.