Flag of Puerto Rico

What the flag looks like

Five equal horizontal stripes alternating red and white, with a blue equilateral triangle at the hoist bearing a large white five-pointed star.

What it means

It was created in 1895 by Puerto Rican independence activists in New York, deliberately reversing the colors of Cuba's flag to show the two islands' shared struggle against Spanish rule.

How to remember it

Puerto Rico is Cuba with the colors swapped: red stripes and a blue triangle, where Cuba has blue stripes and a red triangle.

Fun facts

• Displaying the flag was effectively outlawed by Puerto Rico's 1948 "Gag Law", which was repealed in 1957.
• No shade of blue is fixed by law: the flag has been flown in light, medium and dark blue, and the shade chosen is often read as a political statement.

Puerto Rico at a glance

Status

Unincorporated U.S. territory (commonwealth)

Sovereign state

United States

Capital

San Juan

Region

U.S. territory

Population

3.2 million

Area

9,104 km²

Languages

Spanish, English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Flag adopted

1952

Flags often confused with Puerto Rico

• Cuba: Cuba and Puerto Rico both have five horizontal stripes and a triangle with a white star at the hoist. Cuba has blue stripes and a red triangle; Puerto Rico has red stripes and a blue triangle.