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 2024

Open the 2025 entry

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

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “South Africa: Flag.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/south-africa/flag.

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