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Flag of the Gambia

Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, a narrow strip of land averaging just 50 kilometres wide that runs 300 kilometres along the Gambia River, almost entirely surrounded by Senegal. The Gambia River region was a significant area for the Atlantic slave trade. Today the country is known for its abundant birdlife, attracting birdwatchers from across Europe, and the Kunta Kinteh Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site connected to the history of slavery.

Flag of the Gambia

Population and area are rounded.

What the flag of the Gambia means

Red stands for the sun and the savanna, blue for the Gambia River that runs through the whole length of the country, and green for forests and farming. The thin white stripes stand for peace and unity. The flag was adopted at independence from Britain in 1965 and carries no political party symbols.

More about the flag

The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, a narrow strip of land along both banks of the Gambia River, surrounded by Senegal except for its short Atlantic coast. The flag was first raised at independence on 18 February 1965. From 1982 to 1989 The Gambia and Senegal formed the Senegambia Confederation, but each kept its own flag.

How to recognise it

Horizontal red-blue-green stripes separated by thin white lines.

Did you know?

The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa, a thin sliver of land surrounding the Gambia River.

Easily confused with

The Gambia's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:

Flag of Senegal Senegal Flag of Mali Mali Flag of Guinea Guinea

Flag history of the Gambia

Every flag that has flown over the Gambia, from today back through time.

Flag of The Gambia
1965–present

Flag of The Gambia

Hoisted at independence in 1965 and designed by accountant Louis Thomasi. Its red, blue, and green bands separated by thin white stripes represent the sun and savanna, the Gambia River, and the land's forests.

Colonial Blue Ensign
1889–1965

Colonial Blue Ensign

A British colonial Blue Ensign defaced with a badge bearing an elephant and palm tree, used throughout Gambia's period as a separate British colony.

Neighbouring countries

The Gambia shares a land border with one country: Senegal.

Flag of Senegal Senegal

Other flags in red, blue, green and white

4 other national flags use the same main colours as the Gambia's.

Flag of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Flag of Djibouti Djibouti Flag of Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea Flag of Uzbekistan Uzbekistan
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