The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Central America and the Caribbean
Flag Costa Rica, in 36 editions.
The entry for Costa Rica published Flag in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 12 editions. Each is shown as published. Flag in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 12
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Flag” (1990 to 2025) and “Flag description” (1997 to 2024).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2025 edition
Changed since 2024The same text in 1990 and 1991.
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
The same text in 1992 and 1993.
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue
blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red
band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and
and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of
the red
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white,
white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist
side of
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width),
width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on
the hoist
The same text in 1997 and 1998.
Published as “Flag description”
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double
(double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on
on the hoist side of the red band
Published as “Flag description”
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red
(double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk
disk on the hoist side of the red band
The same text in 3 editions, 2000 to 2002.
Published as “Flag description”
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red
The same text in 7 editions, 2003 to 2009.
Published as “Flag description”
- five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band;
- above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
Published as “Flag description”
- five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band;
- Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added;
- today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverence, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed
Rewritten: too little of the 2009 text remains to mark the changes.
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverence, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
note:
somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed
The same text in 4 editions, 2011 to 2014.
Published as “Flag description”
- five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band;
- Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added;
- today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverence, perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
note:
somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed
The same text in 10 editions, 2015 to 2024.
Published as “Flag description”
- five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk placed toward the hoist side of the red band;
- Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added;
- today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk placed toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
note:
- description:
- five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double-width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk placed toward the left side of the red band
- meaning:
- the blue is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance;
- the white for peace, happiness, and wisdom;
- and the red for the blood shed for freedom, as well as Costa Ricans' generosity and vibrancy
- history:
- Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutions in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors by adding a central red stripe
note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand, but with the blue and red colors reversed
description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), (double-width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk placed toward the hoist left side of the red band; band
meaning: the blue is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance; the white for peace, happiness, and wisdom; and the red for the blood shed for freedom, as well as Costa Ricans' generosity and vibrancy
history: Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity revolutions in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and by adding a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand Thailand, but with the blue and red colors reversed
No edition has those words. Try a shorter word.
Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Costa Rica: Flag.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/costa-rica/flag.