Flag of Sao Tome and Principe
countryThe flag of Sao Tome and Principe was adopted on July 12, 1975. Horizontal triband with red hoist triangle and two black stars. It uses 4 colours: green, yellow, red and black. The official proportions are 1:2.
Hoist
Ratio 1:2
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Sao Tome and Principe |
|---|---|
| Country | Sao Tome and Principe |
| Official Country Name | Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Capital | São Tomé |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Middle Africa |
| ISO Country Code | ST / STP |
| Internet Domain | .st |
| Calling Code | +239 |
| Currency | São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN) |
| National Language(s) | Portuguese |
| Demonym | Sao Tomean |
| Area | 964 km² |
| Population | 0.24 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Sao Tome and Principe |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 12, 1975 |
| First Used | 1975 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 12, 1975 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Green, Yellow, Red, Black |
| Design Type | Horizontal triband with red hoist triangle and two black stars |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Sao Tome and Principe |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #12AD2B | 18, 173, 43 | 90, 0, 75, 32 | |
| Yellow | #FFCE00 | 255, 206, 0 | 0, 19, 100, 0 | |
| Red | #D21034 | 210, 16, 52 | 0, 92, 75, 18 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents the lush vegetation of the islands |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents cocoa, the main export crop |
| Red colour | Represents the struggle for independence |
| Black colour | Represents the African people |
| Two black stars | The two islands, São Tomé and Príncipe |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1975 | The design was first used |
| 1975-07-12 | 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 | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Sao Tome and Principe 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 Sao Tome and Principe
| 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 | 51 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 12, 1975 |
| Oldest Version | 1975 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Bahamas, Equatorial Guinea, Jordan |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal triband with red hoist triangle and two black stars |
Other horizontal tricolour with a hoist triangle flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Sao Tome and Principe
- The two black stars represent the two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, and are set in the yellow centre band.
- The red triangle at the hoist and the Pan-African palette were adopted from the liberation movement's flag at independence in 1975.
- The flag of Sao Tome and Principe was officially adopted on July 12, 1975.
- The flag in its present form is 51 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal triband with red hoist triangle and two black stars.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: green, yellow, red and black.
- The green on the flag stands for the lush vegetation of the islands.
- The yellow on the flag stands for cocoa, the main export crop.
- The red on the flag stands for the struggle for independence.
- Two black stars: The two islands, São Tomé and Príncipe.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour with a hoist triangle" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Bahamas, Equatorial Guinea and Jordan.
- Sao Tome and Principe became independent on 12 July 1975 from Portugal.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national anthem is "Independência total".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 12 July, Independence Day.
- The capital is São Tomé. The currency is the São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Sao Tome and Principe
When was the flag of Sao Tome and Principe adopted?
The flag of Sao Tome and Principe was officially adopted on July 12, 1975.
What do the colours of the flag of Sao Tome and Principe mean?
Green for the lush vegetation of the islands, yellow for cocoa, the main export crop, red for the struggle for independence and black for the African people.
When did Sao Tome and Principe gain independence?
Sao Tome and Principe became independent on 12 July 1975 from Portugal.
What is the national sport of Sao Tome and Principe?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Sao Tome and Principe represent?
Two black stars — The two islands, São Tomé and Príncipe.
What are the proportions of the flag of Sao Tome and Principe?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Sao Tome and Principe?
The national anthem is "Independência total".
When is the national day of Sao Tome and Principe?
It falls on 12 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Sao Tome and Principe?
The capital is São Tomé. The currency is the São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN) and the language spoken is Portuguese.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Sao Tome and Principe?
The closest matches are Bahamas, Equatorial Guinea and Jordan, which share both the construction and most of the colours.