National Flag of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (1979)

The country of Equatorial Guinea is situated on the west coast of Africa and comprises five islands and a province on the coastline of the African continent.

Equatorial Guinea achieved independence from Spain on the 12th of October 1968 and adopted its current national flag on the same day.

The flag's original coat of arms were removed in the 1970s and for a short time replaced with a different emblem, they were again returned on the 21st of August 1979. 

The Symbolic Meaning

Green represents the country's lush vegetation and agricultural wealth. White symbolises peace, red represents the struggle for independence and blue symbolises the sea, which links the different parts of the nation together.

The coat of arms consists of six yellow five-pointed stars representing the different areas that make up the nation: the islands of Bioko, Annobon, Corisco, Elobey Grande, Elobey Chico and the territory (on the African mainland) of Rio Muni.

In the centre of the coat of arms is a plaque with a silk cotton or god tree, which represents the country's historical link to Spain. It was under a similar tree that a treaty was signed with the Spanish at the time of colonisation.

Beneath the plaque are the words, UNIDAD PAZ JUSTICA, which translates to 'Unity Peace Justice'.