Flag of Peru
Officially Republic of Peru
Locally Perú
What the flag looks like
Three equal vertical bands of red, white and red; the state flag adds the coat of arms in the center of the white band.
What it means
Red is commonly said to represent the blood shed for independence and white peace; tradition says José de San Martín was inspired by a flock of red and white flamingos.
How to remember it
Peru
is red-white-red standing up with three equal bands; Canada's
white center is twice as wide and holds a maple leaf.
Fun facts
- The coat of arms shows a vicuña, a cinchona tree and a cornucopia spilling coins, representing the animal, plant and mineral riches of the country.
- Lake Titicaca, on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is often described as the highest navigable lake in the world.
Peru at a glance
- Capital
- Lima
- Region
- South America
- Population
- 34 million
- Area
- 1,285,216 km²
- Languages
- Aymara, Quechua, Spanish
- Currency
- Peruvian sol (S/)
- Flag adopted
- 1825
Flags often confused with Peru
- Canada: Canada and Peru both have vertical red-white-red bands. Peru's three bands are equal with no maple leaf; Canada's white center is twice as wide and holds a red maple leaf.
- Lebanon: Lebanon and Peru are both red and white with white in the middle. Lebanon's bands are horizontal with a green cedar tree; Peru's are vertical.
- Austria: Austria and Peru are both red-white-red. Austria's stripes are horizontal; Peru's are vertical.