🇬🇲 The colours of the Gambia

The Gambia’s flag features red, blue, green and white. Blue stands for the Gambia River, red for the sun and savanna, green for forests and agriculture, and white for unity and peace. These colours reflect the country’s geography and aspirations since independence in 1965.

Where no official value is given, the swatch shows the colour family, not the exact shade.

• Blue stands for the Gambia River, central to the country.
• Red symbolises the sun and savanna near the Equator.
• Green represents forests and agriculture.
• White stripes mean unity and peace.
• The flag was designed by accountant Louis Thomasi in 1965.

The colours of the flag of the Gambia

The Gambian flag is made up of three horizontal stripes: red at the top, blue in the centre, and green at the bottom, with thin white stripes separating them. Each colour has a specific meaning. Blue represents the Gambia River, which is central to the country's geography and identity. Red symbolises the sun and the savanna, reflecting the nation's location near the Equator. Green stands for the forests and agriculture that support the Gambian people. The white stripes are said to represent unity and peace. These meanings are officially recognised.

How the colours were chosen of the Gambia

Before independence, The Gambia used a British Blue Ensign with a badge showing an elephant, palm tree, hills, and the letter 'G'. This changed in 1965 when the country became independent and adopted its current flag, designed by Louis Thomasi. The design is notable for not using the colours of any political party, making it unusual among African flags. The flag remained unchanged during the confederation with Senegal in the 1980s.

Official shades and rules of the Gambia

The flag consists of three main horizontal bands separated by two thin white stripes. The order is red, white, blue, white, and green from top to bottom. The sources do not specify exact shades or proportions, but the arrangement and symbolism are officially defined.