Flag of Cameroon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Cameroon

Use	National flag and ensign
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	May 20, 1972
Design	A vertical tricolor of green, red and yellow, with a yellow star centered on the red band.

The national flag of Cameroon is a colorful symbol of the country. It has three vertical stripes: green, red, and yellow. In the middle of the red stripe, there is a bright yellow five-pointed star. This flag was officially adopted on May 20, 1972.

Understanding the Flag's Design

The flag of Cameroon is a vertical tricolor. This means it has three stripes that go up and down. Each color on the flag has a special meaning:

• Green represents the rich forests and plant life found in the southern part of Cameroon. It also stands for hope for the future.
• Red is the color of unity. It reminds everyone that Cameroon is one country, bringing together its different regions and people. The red stripe is also where the yellow star is placed.
• Yellow symbolizes the sun and the savannas, which are grassy plains found in the northern part of Cameroon. It also represents happiness and prosperity.

The yellow star in the center is known as the "Star of Unity." It shows that Cameroon is a single, united nation. It also stands for the country's bright future.

A Look at Cameroon's Past Flags

Cameroon has had several different flags throughout its history. These flags tell a story about how the country changed over time.

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  Flag of Cameroon (1961–1975)

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  Flag of Cameroon (1957–1961)

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  Flag of British Cameroons (1922–1961)

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  Flag of German Cameroon (Proposed, but never used)

Flags Before Independence

Before Cameroon became an independent country, it was controlled by different European powers.

• From 1884 to 1916, it was a German colony called Kamerun. There was a proposed flag for German Cameroon, but it was never officially used.
• After World War I, the territory was divided between France and Britain. The British part was known as British Cameroons. It used a special flag from 1922 to 1961, which was a British blue ensign with a local badge.

Flags After Independence

Cameroon gained independence in 1960.

• From 1957 to 1961, the French part of Cameroon used a flag with green, red, and yellow stripes, but it had two small yellow stars in the green stripe. These stars represented the two main regions of the country at that time.
• When British Cameroons joined the independent Republic of Cameroon in 1961, the flag changed. It kept the green, red, and yellow stripes but added two larger yellow stars in the green stripe. This flag was used until 1975. The two stars represented the two main parts of the country: East Cameroon (formerly French) and West Cameroon (formerly British).
• The current flag, with a single yellow star in the center, was adopted on May 20, 1972. This change happened when Cameroon became a united, single-state republic, moving away from a federal system. The single star emphasizes the idea of national unity.

Images for kids

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  The flag of Cameroon on a flagpole

See also

In Spanish: Bandera de Camerún para niños