Costa Rica Flag
Flag of Costa Rica
Originally
inhabited by the Guaymi people, Costa Rica was visited by Christopher
Columbus in 1502, colonized by Spanish settlers during the late 16th
century and remained under Spanish rule until 1821, when it gained its
independence.
Part of the United Provinces of Central America (with El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) from 1824, Costa Rica declared itself
an independent republic in 1834, but retained the flag of the United
Provinces: three horizontal bands in the order blue-white-blue, with a
central emblem of the federation. In response to revolutionary events
taking place in France, in 1848 it was decided to incorporate the colors
of the Tricolore into a new Costa Rican flag, a central, red stripe being
inserted. The national seal was also created in 1847 and this was added
to the flag in 1906. The arms depict two merchant ships sailing on two
seas - the Pacific Ocean (foreground) and Caribbean Sea (background) -
separated by three volcanoes representing Costa Rica's three main
mountain ranges. Behind is a rising sun and seven stars, one for each of
the provinces. (In 1906 there were only five provinces and therefore five
stars, two stars being added in 1964 to represent two newly incorporated
provinces.) Above is the country's name and a blue ribbon bearing the
words 'America Central', recalling the United Provinces.
