Flag of the Ivory Coast

After its colonization by European countries,Ivory Coastwas home to kingdoms that include the Gyaaman, Baoule and the Kong Empire. There were the Anvi Kingdoms of Indenie and Sanwi which attempted to retain their separation from the French colonial period and after Ivory Coast’s independence. A treaty was made for Ivory Coast dating from 1843 to 1833 making them a protectorate of France.

In 1893, it became a French colony included as a part of the European scramble for Africa. It is perhaps better known asCôte d’Ivoire. The official language of Ivory Coast is French though many of the local dialects are widely used including Dioula, Baole, Dan, Anyin and Cebaara Senufo. In addition, the main religions that are used in the nation are Islam and Christianity along with other various indigenous religions.

The flag of Ivory Coast features three equal vertical bands of orange with white alongside the color green. After Ivory Coast’s Independence, the country formed a loose alliance of West African states. The flags of the states that were included on the alliance were influenced by both the Pan-African colors first used by Ghana and also by the French Tricolor flag of the former colonial power.

The chosen colors for the flag of Ivory Coast were also used by Niger, one of the alliances of the country. They were meant to symbolize the following: orange stands for the land, the northern savannah and its fertility; the white represents solemnity, and green represents hope and the surrounding environment. The flag was adopted in 1959 after its independence.

The flag of Ivory Coast can be hard to be determined if paired up, side by side with other nation’s flag because of the simplicity of it. However, one factor than can separate them is the use of the color orange on one of its bands.