Costa Rica

The flag of Costa Rica comprises five horizontal bands of (from the top of the flag to the bottom of the flag) blue, white, red (double width), white and blue. At the centre of the flag sits the coat of arms of Costa Rica. The flag of Costa Rica is based on a design created in 1848 by Pacifica Fernandez - the country's inaugural First Lady, wife of President Jose Maria Castro Madriz. The flag is said to be inspired by the French Revolution and thus borrows the colours of the French tricolour. The present day version of the flag was officially adopted on 27 November 1906. The flag's ratio is 3:5.