A flag without a flagpole is like a suitcase without a handle - unusable. After all, a banner fluttering at a high altitude always evokes a feeling of admiration and pride. Flagpole - what is it? What are flagpoles? And where are the highest of them? You will find answers to all these questions in our article.
Flagpole is… Design features
The role of a flagpole can be performed by an ordinary wooden stick or a steel structure specially made at the factory. In general, a flagpole is a special device designed to fasten and raise the flag. It can be made from a variety of materials: metal, wood, plastic or fiberglass. The term itself comes from two Dutch words: vlag (“flag”) and stok (“stick”).
In simple terms, a flagpole is a vertical post on top of which a flag or banner is attached. Often it is equipped with the simplest mechanism (rope and block), which facilitates the process of lifting and removingcanvases. The flagpole tube is installed in a concrete base, the strength of which depends on the height and total weight of the structure. Some models are equipped with a special horizontal bar - the so-called banner lift. It allows the flag to be fully unfurled regardless of weather conditions and wind direction.
Fastening to the flagpole of the flag cloth, as a rule, is carried out with the help of several strong loops. At the same time, a special weighting agent is attached to the bottom of the shaft. There are models of flagpoles with rotary mechanisms at the base, which helps to adjust the optimal position of the banner, depending on the strength and direction of the wind.
Varieties of flagpoles
Depending on the method and place of installation, flagpoles are of several types:
- Stationary - installed in a permanent place and are large in size.
- Mobile - quickly assembled and dismantled, easily transported from place to place.
- Automotive - mounted on the body of cars and are small in size.
- Interior (cabinet).
Based on the material from which the support for the flag is made, the following types of flagpoles are distinguished:
- plastic;
- wooden;
- aluminum;
- fiberglass.
Flagpoles are distinguished by the type and shape of the mast:
- One-Piece Tapered – The post is tapered at the top.
- Prefabricated - the support consists of several separate parts.
- Telescopic - the mast of such a flagpoleunfolds like a fishing rod.
Street flagpoles
On the main squares of large cities, at the walls of important government agencies or offices of reputable companies, there is always a flag (of a state, locality or corporation). And it flutters, as a rule, on a high and durable mast made of aluminum or another alloy.
Street flagpoles are of considerable height. Most often they are installed at the central and well-visible points of the city in order to ensure maximum visibility of one or another banner. To protect the flagpole mast from the adverse effects of the external environment, it is coated with special atmospheric paints that do not fade in the sun and are not afraid of temperature changes.
The world's tallest flagpoles
The height of the flagpoles varies quite widely - from two or three to several tens of meters. In some record cases, the length of a metal mast exceeds the mark of one hundred meters. Listed below are the five tallest flagpoles in the world. Remarkably, they are all in Asia:
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - 170 meters.
- Dushanbe, Tajikistan - 165 meters.
- Baku, Azerbaijan - 162 meters.
- Kijondong, North Korea - 160 meters.
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - 132 meters.
So, the flagpole-record holder is located in the "economic capital" of Saudi Arabia - the city of Jeddah. Its height is 170 meters. But the weight of the national flag, which is fixed on it,reaches 570 kg!
A few words should be said about the flagpole located in the village of Kijeondong in North Korea. It is located near the demilitarized zone, which divides the Korean Peninsula into two warring states. In the immediate vicinity is the South Korean village of Phanmunjom. At one time, a real “war of flagpoles” broke out between these two settlements. Both sides alternately increased the height of their masts, raising the flag of their country higher and higher. Ultimately, the village of Kijeongdong won with its 160-meter-high flagpole.
In Russia, the highest flagpole was installed in October 2018 in the city of Grozny. The event was timed to coincide with the birthday of Vladimir Putin. The height of the Chechen flagpole is 73 meters.
