Flag of Mauritania
countryThe flag of Mauritania was adopted on August 15, 2017. Green field with a gold crescent, star and two red bands. It uses 3 colours: green, gold and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Mauritania |
|---|---|
| Country | Mauritania |
| Official Country Name | Islamic Republic of Mauritania |
| Capital | Nouakchott |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| ISO Country Code | MR / MRT |
| Internet Domain | .mr |
| Calling Code | +222 |
| Currency | Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU) |
| National Language(s) | Arabic |
| Demonym | Mauritanian |
| Area | 1,030,700 km² |
| Population | 5.0 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Mauritania |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 15, 2017 |
| First Used | 1959 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 15, 2017 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, Gold, Red |
| Design Type | Green field with a gold crescent, star and two red bands |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Mauritania |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #006233 | 0, 98, 51 | 100, 0, 48, 62 | |
| Gold | #FFC400 | 255, 196, 0 | 0, 23, 100, 0 | |
| Red | #CD2A3E | 205, 42, 62 | 0, 80, 70, 20 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents Islam and a bright future |
|---|---|
| Gold colour | Represents the sands of the Sahara |
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed by those who resisted colonisation |
| Crescent and star | Islam |
| Red bands | Added in 2017 to honour the sacrifice of those who defended the country |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1959 | The design was first used |
| 2017-08-15 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Mauritania Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Mauritania
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 9 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 15, 2017 |
| Oldest Version | 1959 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Aruba, Bangladesh, Belize |
| Unique Feature | Green field with a gold crescent, star and two red bands |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Mauritania
- Two red bands were added to the flag by referendum in 2017, in honour of those who died resisting colonial rule — one of very few flag changes anywhere decided by direct national vote.
- The crescent and star point upward rather than sideways, which is unusual, and the crescent is drawn as a shallow bowl.
- Green and gold on Mauritania's flag carry both Islamic and Pan-African associations, sitting at the meeting point of the two traditions.
- The flag of Mauritania was officially adopted on August 15, 2017.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1959, 58 years before it was formally made the flag of Mauritania.
- The flag in its present form is 9 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Green field with a gold crescent, star and two red bands.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, gold and red.
- The green on the flag stands for Islam and a bright future.
- The gold on the flag stands for the sands of the Sahara.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed by those who resisted colonisation.
- Crescent and star: Islam.
- Red bands: Added in 2017 to honour the sacrifice of those who defended the country.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Aruba, Bangladesh and Belize.
- Mauritania became independent on 28 November 1960 from France.
- Football is the most popular sport.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Mauritania
When was the flag of Mauritania adopted?
The flag of Mauritania was officially adopted on August 15, 2017, though the design had already been in use since 1959.
What do the colours of the flag of Mauritania mean?
Green for Islam and a bright future, gold for the sands of the Sahara and red for the blood shed by those who resisted colonisation.
When did Mauritania gain independence?
Mauritania became independent on 28 November 1960 from France.
What is the national sport of Mauritania?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Mauritania represent?
Crescent and star — Islam. Red bands — Added in 2017 to honour the sacrifice of those who defended the country.
What are the proportions of the flag of Mauritania?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Mauritania?
The national anthem is "National Anthem of Mauritania".
When is the national day of Mauritania?
It falls on 28 November, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Mauritania?
The capital is Nouakchott. The currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU) and the language spoken is Arabic.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Mauritania?
The closest matches are Aruba, Bangladesh and Belize, which share both the construction and most of the colours.