The flag of Gambia celebrated its 50th anniversary on Wednesday 18 February 2015.
The date also marks the golden jubilee of Gambian independence from the United Kingdom.
Gambia’s flag was designed by accountant Louis Thomasi.
A blue stripe flows through the centre of the flag, just as the river Gambia bisects the country.
The red stripe symbolises the savannah and the sun.
Given its proximity to the equator, Gambia’s capital, Banjul, enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.
The green stripe symbolises Gambia’s agriculture and forests, while the two white stripes denote unity and peace.
The flag has remained unchanged since Gambia’s independence, including the seven-year period (1982-9) of its confederation with Senegal.
Bonus fact: After the 2013 general election, Luxembourg was governed by a three-party ‘Gambia Coalition’, so named after the colours of the Democratic Party (blue), Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (red) and the Greens.
Author: Alex Crouch, Flag Institute accredited journalist (2015/16).
