The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Africa
Flag South Africa, in 36 editions.
The entry for South Africa published Flag in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 16 editions. Each is shown as published. Flag in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 16
- 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.
- actually four flags in one--three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue;
- the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
actually four flags in one--three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
The same text in 1992 and 1993.
- actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue;
- the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
actually four flags in one--three one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center
of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands Netherlands, which has three
equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags
are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal
flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old
Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horozontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isoceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
Rewritten: too little of the 1993 text remains to mark the changes.
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a
central green band which splits into a horozontal Y, the arms of which
end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isoceles
triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the
red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by
narrow white stripes
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horozontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isoceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated
by acentral green band which splits into a horozontal Y, the arms of which
which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isoceles
triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the
red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by
narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one
- three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of
the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal
bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a
vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal
flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of
the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isoceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated
separated by a central green band which splits into a horozontal horizontal Y,
the arms ofwhich end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a
black isocelestriangle from which the arms are separated by narrow
yellow bands; thered and blue bands are separated from the green
band and its arms bynarrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one
one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white
band ofthe former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal
horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature
flags are avertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State
with a horizontalflag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a
horizontal flag ofthe old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other
side
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue
blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y,
Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a
black isoceles isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow
yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the greenband
and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags inone
- three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the whiteband of
the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equalhorizontal
bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniatureflags are a
vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free Statewith a horizontal
flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and ahorizontal flag of
the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the otherside
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one-three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and
blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal
Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a
black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow
yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band
and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one- three one-three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of
of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal
horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags
are avertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal
horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal
flag ofthe old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side, embracing a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one--three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and
and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal
horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist
side, embracing ablack isosceles triangle from which the arms are
separated by narrowyellow bands; the red and blue bands are
separated from the green bandand its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags inone-three one--three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band
of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal
horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags
flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State
with ahorizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal
horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other
side
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side;
- the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top)and blue separated by a central green band which splits into ahorizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are
side, embracingseparated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands areseparated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band
one--threeof the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equalhorizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniatureflags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free Statewith a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and ahorizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the otherside
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side;
- the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which had three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue;
- the miniature flags were a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripesnote: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has had three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are were a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side;
- the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which had three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags were a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which had three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags were a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
The same text in 5 editions, 2003 to 2007.
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side;
- the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
note: prior to 26 April 1994, the flag was actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which had three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags were a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side
The same text in 2008 and 2009.
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side;
- the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
The same text in 2010 and 2011.
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side;
- the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes;
- the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity";
- black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era
note: the South African flag is the only national flag to display six colors as part of its primary design
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era
note:
the South African flag is the only national flag to display six colors as part of its primary design
The same text in 3 editions, 2012 to 2014.
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side;
- the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes;
- the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity";
- black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era
note: the South African flag is one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Sudan's
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era
note:
the South African flag is the one of only two national flag flags to display six colors as part of its primary design design, the other is South Sudan's
The same text in 10 editions, 2015 to 2024.
Published as “Flag description”
- two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side;
- the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands;
- the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes;
- the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity";
- black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era
note: the South African flag is one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Sudan's
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era
note:the South African flag is one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Sudan's
- description:
- two equal-width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y;
- a black isosceles triangle is in the Y, with narrow yellow bands around it;
- the red and blue bands are bordered by narrow white stripes
- meaning:
- the colors have no official meaning, but the Y stands for "the convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"
note: South Africa has one of two national flags that display six colors as part of the primary design -- the other is South Sudan's
description: two equal width equal-width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces Y; a black isosceles triangle from which is in the arms are separated by Y, with narrow yellow bands; bands around it; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms bordered by narrow white stripes; stripes
meaning: the flag colors do not have any no official symbolism, meaning, but the Y stands for the "convergence "the convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era unity"
note: the South African flag is Africa has one of only two national flags to that display six colors as part of its the primary design, design -- the other is South Sudan's
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “South Africa: Flag.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/south-africa/flag.