Flag of Gabon

Meaning and history of the flag of Gabon

Gabon's flag was adopted on August 9, 1960, when the country gained independence from France. It consists of three equal horizontal stripes of green, yellow, and blue. Unlike many African flags, Gabon's colors don't follow the standard pan-African palette; instead they reflect the country's distinctive geography, incorporating blue.

The green represents the vast tropical forests covering roughly 85 percent of Gabonese territory, making it one of the most heavily forested countries on Earth. The yellow symbolizes the equatorial sun that shines on a country straddling the equator itself. The blue stands for the Atlantic Ocean along Gabon's western coast, which has been central to the nation's history and economy.

Gabon's flag is distinguished by its 3:4 proportions, more square than most national flags. Its combination of green, yellow, and blue clearly sets it apart from neighboring flags, which tend to favor red, green, and yellow. The simple, balanced three-stripe design, with no shield or additional emblem, lends it a quiet elegance reflecting the stability Gabon has enjoyed since independence.

You can view the flag of Gabon in high resolution above and download it in several sizes for personal, educational or reference use. To explore more, visit the full Gabon profile, its map, or the current local time in Libreville.