Flag of Uruguay

South America

3.5M

1830

UY | 2:3

Official Palette

Symbolism

The nine stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay. The Sun of May represents the May Revolution of 1810 and Inti, the Incan sun god.

History

Adopted on July 11, 1830, shortly after Uruguay's independence from Brazil. Joaquín Suárez, later president, is credited with the nine-stripe layout inspired by the flags of Argentina and the United States, while the Sun of May was added in 1830 to link the new republic to the River Plate revolutionary tradition.

Construction

A 2:3 ratio. Nine equal horizontal stripes of white alternating with blue. A white square canton at the hoist contains the golden Sun of May with 16 rays.

Color Meanings

white: Peace and the clouds of the sky

blue: The sky and the historical House of Bourbon

yellow: The Sun of May representing Incan heritage

Country Facts

Population: 3.5M

0.8% of South America
Capital: Montevideo
Languages: Spanish
Continent: South America
Subregion: Southern Cone
Landlocked: No
Borders: Argentina Brazil
ISO 3166-1: UY

Flag Identification

Adopted: July 11, 1830
Proportions: 2:3 (≈1.500)
Primary Layout: Horizontal bands
Key Symbols: Canton, Emblem

Influences

Flag of Argentina

Stars and Stripes of the United States

Flags with resemblance

Visually close designs — compare colors and emblems, or try similarities mode.

Related flags

Flag Protocol

The Sun of May must be centered in the white canton
Must be treated as a supreme symbol of national pride

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