Flag of Bougainville

What the flag looks like

A dark blue field with a central black disc showing a red-and-white upe headdress, ringed by green and white triangles and an outer white circle.

What it means

The upe is a woven hat worn by young men during initiation, and the ring around it is a kapkap, a carved shell ornament worn by chiefs.

How to remember it

Bougainville is a red-and-white striped hat inside a toothed green ring, floating on deep blue.

Fun facts

• The flag was designed by the Havini family and first used in 1975, the year Bougainville's leaders declared the short-lived Republic of the North Solomons.
• In a 2019 referendum 97.7% of voters chose independence; the result is non-binding and must be ratified by Papua New Guinea's National Parliament before it can take effect.

Bougainville at a glance

Status

Autonomous region of Papua New Guinea

Sovereign state

Papua New Guinea

Capital

Buka

Region

Autonomous region of Papua New Guinea

Population

367,093

Area

9,384 km²

Languages

English, Tok Pisin

Currency

Papua New Guinean kina (K)

Flag adopted

1975