The Answer:

The national flag of Nepal is indeed unique, shaped like two right triangles stacked one above the other and slightly overlapping. The unusual shape is apparently owed to the fact that the flag was derived from two pennants that were used by separate branches of the Rana family, members of which served as prime minister from 1846 until 1951.

The white moon in the upper, smaller triangle represents the royal house, and the white sun represents the Rana family. Adopted as the official flag of Nepal in 1962, the double pennant actually dates back to the 19th century.

Finally, although all the other countries of the world have rectangular flags, it should be noted that they do differ in proportion. Qatar has the longest flag, with a width to length ratio of 11:28, while the flags of Switzerland and the Vatican are square.

To see more flags of the world, click here.

—The Editors