The flag of the Central African Republic (CAR) was designed by Barthelemy Boganda, the first president of CAR when it gained autonomy. In creating the flag Boganda borrowed the traditional colors used across Africa and designed this brilliant ensign.
The Central African Republic Flag bears four horizontal equal stripes with a vertical red stripe running down the middle of the flag. The top stripe is blue and is followed by white, green, and yellow. The vertical stripe is red in color. There is a yellow five-point star on the top blue stripe to the left-hand corner of the flag. All the colors used in the flag represent values dear to the country and its people. Red symbolizes the blood shed by the people of the nation to achieve independence while blue represents the sky and freedom. White represents peace and dignity, and green symbolizes hope and faith. The color yellow represents the tolerance and hospitality of the people.
| Official Name: | The central African Republic |
| Flag Proportion: | 3:5 |
| Adopted on: | December 1, 1958 |
| Designed by: | Barthelemy Boganda |
| Location: | Central Africa is bordered by Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, and Cameroon |
| Capital City: | Bangui |
| Major Cities: | Ouaka, Ouham, Lobaye, Kemo |
| Area: | 240,534 square miles |
| Population: | 4,422,000 |
| Currency: | Central African Franc (CFA), Franc (XAF) |
| Official Languages: | French, Sango |
| National Anthem: | The Renaissance |
| National symbol(s): | elephant |
| National colors: | blue, white, green, yellow, red |
| National anthem: | |
| Name: | “Le Renaissance” (The Renaissance) |
| Lyrics/Music: | Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER |
Facts about the Central African Republic flag |
| Country | The central African Republic |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Barthélemy Boganda |
| Adopted | December 1, 1958 |
| Revision | NA |
| Design and Colors | Four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in the center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band. |
| Size Ratio | 3:5 |