Flag of Papua New Guinea

What the flag looks like

Divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly: the upper fly triangle is red with a yellow bird-of-paradise, and the lower hoist triangle is black with the five white stars of the Southern Cross.

What it means

Red and black are traditional colors in Papua New Guinean art; the bird-of-paradise symbolises the nation's emergence and the Southern Cross its place in the southern hemisphere.

How to remember it

Split diagonally: a golden bird-of-paradise flies in the red half while the Southern Cross shines in the black half.

Fun facts

• The flag was designed by Susan Karike, a 15-year-old schoolgirl, and chosen in 1971.
• Papua New Guinea has over 800 living languages, more than any other country.

Papua New Guinea at a glance

Capital

Port Moresby

Region

Melanesia

Population

11 million

Area

462,840 km²

Languages

English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin

Currency

Papua New Guinean kina (K)

Flag adopted

1971