Uruguay is an exotic South American country. What does the flag of Uruguay represent? What does the emblem of the country symbolize?
Uruguay
The state is located in South America, in its southeastern part. The name of the country comes from the name of the main river. Uruguay is adjacent to Brazil and Argentina, its eastern and southern coasts are washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The full name of the country is the Eastern Republic of Uruguay. The flag and coat of arms are its official symbols.
In Uruguay, about 3400 thousand inhabitants live, and only 9% of them are engaged in agriculture. The urbanization is very high, more and more people come to the cities every year. The largest cities are Montevideo, Salto and Paysandu.
The climate in the country is quite pleasant, which makes it popular in the tourism sector. The coast of the ocean is dotted with expensive sea resorts, among which Punta del Este is the most famous.
The cultural and financial center of the state is its capital, Montevideo.
Uruguay flag: type and meaning
The country has a common past with Argentina, so their flags are a bit similar. Like the Argentinean flag of Uruguay has two types of stripes (white and blue) and the image of the sun. Uruguayan flag used to consist of 9 blue and 10 white stripes. Later their number was reduced.
The modern flag of Uruguay was approved in 1830. Four blue stripes alternate with five white. These stripes symbolize nine Uruguayan provinces, just as many of them were when the attribute was approved.
In the upper left corner of the banner is a white square, which shows the "May Sun". Eight straight rays alternate with eight wavy. The sun is a symbol of freedom and independence. It is a prototype of the Incan god of the sun, and also symbolizes the May Revolution that took place in Buenos Aires in 1810.
Other Flags
The flag of Uruguay described above is its official national symbol. However, the government agencies use two other flags of the country.
One of them is called Treinta y Tres, or “Flag of thirty-three.” A group of 33 insurgents contributed to the organization of the revolution in 1810 and the independence of Uruguay. The banner consists of three wide stripes: blue, white and burgundy. On the white strip is the inscription Libertad o Muerte ("Freedom or death").
The second - the Flag of Artigas (the founding father of the state of Uruguay) - is also used as a national symbol. It consists of two horizontal blue and white stripes in the middle. A wide burgundy strip runs along the diagonal of the canvas.
Coat of arms of Uruguay
The coat of arms was approved in 1829. The oval coat of arms is divided into four parts. In the upper right corner there are scales - a sign of justice and equality, a black horse is drawn under the scales, which symbolizes the spirit of freedom.
In the upper left part is Mount Montevideo. At the top of the mountain there is a fortress, at its foot sea waves beating, meaning strength. In the lower left quarter of the shield is the figure of a golden bull - a symbol of abundance and affluence.
“May sun” peeps over the coat of arms - an image that traditionally carries a life-affirming symbolic meaning. On both sides of the shield are framed by olive and laurel branches, tied at the bottom with a blue ribbon.
The emblem symbolizes the invincibility of the Uruguayan people and success in all its endeavors.