Uruguay Flags

The flag of Uruguay consists of 9 alternating blue and white stripes of equal measurement. These stripes run horizontally across the flag and begin with a white band at the top. The top lefthand corner is a white square with a symbol of the sun at its center. This sun image is know as the Sun of May. This version of the flag was officially adopted on July 11, 1830. The official name of the flag of Uruguay is The National Pavilion, although informally, it is known as The Sun and Stripes.

The current design of the flag of Uruguay is based on the previous version that was used in 1812. At that time, Uruguay belonged to the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata, which was represented by a blue and white flag used by Manuel Belgrano. Today, the 9 stripes stand for the original 9 provinces of Uruguay. The Sun of May is said to represent Inti, the principal god of the Incas. Another interpretation of the Sun of May is that it represents Uruguay as a new, independent nation.

The current flag of Uruguay was designed by Joaquin Suárez, the first person to serve as Head of State while Uruguay fought for its independence from Spain. Reports indicate that he was inspired by the striped flag of the US and by the Sun of May emblem, which was first used on the flag of Argentina. In his original version, the flag had 9 blue stripes to represent the internal departments. Since 1830, however, the number of blue stripes has been reduced to only 4.

Over the years, Uruguay has had several flag versions. Between 1821 and 1825, for example, the territory was under Brazilian control. During this time, the flag had 3 horizontal stripes in green and white. In the center of the flag, in the middle white stripe, was a globe-like symbol. When the Brazilian occupation ended, the region became known as Provincia Oriental. This flag, used from 1825 to 1828, had 3 horizontal stripes with red at the top, white in the middle, and blue at the bottom. The current version, but with 19 stripes, was adopted between 1828 and 1830.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Montevideo
Languages	Spanish (official), Portunol, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)
Ethnic Groups	White 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)
Religion	Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006 est.)
Government	Presidential republic
Independance	25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
Area	176,215.00 km²
Water Area	1,200.00 km²
Land Area	175,015.00 km²
Population	3,351,016.00 Most of the country's population resides in the southern half of the country; approximately 80% of the populace is urban, living in towns or cities; nearly half of the population lives in and around the capital of Montevideo
Location	Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
No. Bordering Countries	2
Bordering Countries	Argentina 541 km, Brazil 1,050 km
GDP(PPP)	$73,250,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$20,300.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are China, Brazil, and the United States.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, and wheat.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are Brazil, China, and Argentina.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include refined oil, crude oil, vehicle parts, and cellular phones.
Climate	Mostly mid-latitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east
Terrain	Mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Learn More	Uruguay

Uruguay Flags

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