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The republic of Uruguay has been represented by a female figure, known as the Efigie de la República (Effigy of the Republic).
Sources: (Slate)
See also: These countries got rid of their monarchies (sometimes violently)
John Bull is another national personification of the United Kingdom. The character first appeared in 18th-century political satire and later during the First World War.
Belgica, or La Belgique, is also female, used as an allegory for Belgium.
Britannia dates all the way back to the Roman Empire. The personification of Britain has mutated over the years to represent the nation. The name Britannia is still used today as a reference to Britain.
Helvetia has been used to represent the Swiss Confederacy since the 17th century.
Moder Svea (Mother Svea or Mother Swea) is the personification of Sweden. She is often depicted as a warrior, a valkyrie (from Norse mythology) or a shieldmaiden (Scandinavian female warrior).
The national personification of Spain has existed since the days of the Roman Empire. Hispania was later used as an allegory of the First and the Second Spanish Republic, and can be found in numerous artworks.
Zé Povinho is a cartoon character of a Portuguese working-class man. It was created in 1875 by artist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro and represents the Portuguese everyman.
Nederlandse Maagd (Dutch Maiden) is the personification of the Netherlands. The Dutch Maiden has been used as an allegory since the 16th century. She's usually depicted with a lion; the Leo Belgicus (a symbol of the former Low Countries).
Zealandia is a Western European woman and as such, serves as a reference to Britain. The national personification of New Zealand was mostly used in the 20th century.
Libertad or Madre Patria, is the allegorical representation of Peru. She's a personification of liberty.
Mexico is represented by the Virgen de Guadalupe and shares a number of iconic elements, such as the Mexican flag.
Both North and South Korea share the founder of Gojoseon, Korea's first dynasty, as an allegory for the Korean people as a whole. The Dangun legend has been around since the 13th century.
Amaterasu, aka Amaterasu Ōmikami or Ōhirume no Muchi no Kami, is the goddess of the sun. It's one of the major deities of Shinto, and used to represent Japan.
Ériu (aka Éire or Erin) is the matron goddess of Ireland and has been used as a personification of the country for many years. Another personification of Ireland, Hibernia, was also used extensively during the 19th century.
Bhārat Mātā (Mother India) is the mother goddess of the nation. She is often depicted wearing a red or saffron-colored sari. Pictured is a painting by artist Abanindranath Tagore, circa 1905.
Mor Norge (Mother Norway) is the national personification of Norway. She has been used as a patriotic symbol since the 1700s.
The Lady of Hungaria is used to represent the liberty of Hungary. She's displayed in many places throughout the country.
Hellas, also known as Ellada, is the personification of Greece. Hellas is one of the oldest personifications of any nation, dating back to ancient Greece.
Fjallkonan (Lady of the Mountain) has been the national personification of Iceland since the 18th century.
The personification of Germany dates all the way back to Roman times. Germania is often depicted as a strong woman wielding the Reichsschwert (imperial sword).
Marianne was introduced as the national personification of France after the French Revolution. Marianne is also used to portray the Goddess of Liberty, and therefore a personification of liberty, equality, reason, and fraternity. Marianne remains a popular republican symbol to this day.
The allegorical representation of Finland is Suomi-neito (Finnish Maiden). Originally known as Aura, this personification of the Finnish nation has been used since the 19th century.
Mor Danmark (Mother Denmark) has been the personification of Denmark since the 18th century, and used as a national symbol in monuments and memorials, among other civil landmarks.
Uncle Sam has been the national personification of the US government since the 19th century. He became very popular during the recruitment campaigns in the run-up to and during the First World War.
The Efígie da República, or Effigy of the Republic in English, is the personification of the Brazilian republic. It has been used in different contexts ever since the proclamation of the republic in 1889.
There are a number of allegorical representations associated with this South American nation. They all revolve around the personification of the republic, like this image which illustrates the May Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.
The personification of the multi-ethnic state of Austria is also called Austria. A female figure is used to represent the country.
Little Boy from Manly began as the personification of New South Wales, and later applied to Australia as a whole. It was created by cartoonist Livingston Hopkin in April 1885.
Columbia, aka Lady/Miss Columbia is the first personification of America. Columbia was depicted as a woman, often wearing national symbols such as the country's flag. The first reference to Columbia as we know her can be traced back to 1776.
Johnny Canuck was originally created as a political cartoon character in 1869. The fictional lumberjack then became a comic book hero and was even used in the logo of an ice hockey team. Canada was also personified as a woman in 19th and early 20th century.
Juan Valdez has been used as a symbol of Colombia since 1958. More specifically, he represents a Colombian coffee farmer.
Italia turrita is the personification of the nation and one of the national symbols of Italy. She's often depicted wearing a mural crown.
National personifications have been used for millennia. In fact, some nations have had in place allegorical representations since antiquity. The vast majority of these personifications are female and used to convey ideals, values, and to represent a particular country. And their origins vary depending on that same country, with some drawing inspiration from mythology and others created as fictional characters for political cartoons, and everything in between.
So, what is the personification of your country? And why is it represented as such? Click through the gallery to find out.
National personifications: who's your country?
National identities embodied by male or female figures
LIFESTYLE Allegories
National personifications have been used for millennia. In fact, some nations have had in place allegorical representations since antiquity. The vast majority of these personifications are female and used to convey ideals, values, and to represent a particular country. And their origins vary depending on that same country, with some drawing inspiration from mythology and others created as fictional characters for political cartoons, and everything in between.
So, what is the personification of your country? And why is it represented as such? Click through the gallery to find out.