Kiribati

The flag of Kiribati consists of the upper half — red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half — blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean.Flag of Kiribati CIA World Factbook
==Symbolism==
* The wavy lines represent the Pacific Ocean and the group of Gilbert, Phoenix and Line islands.
* The seventeen rays signify Banaba and other sixteen Gilbert Islands.
* The Sun symbolises that the islands are located close to the 180 degree meridian and equator.
* The Frigate bird (Fregat Aquilla) symbolises power, poise and freedom. To the natives it is a sign of sovereignty and kingly birth, and highly regarded as such.Kiribati at Flags of the World
The design is based on the coat of arms of Kiribati.
==History==
The British acquired extensive colonies and protectorates in the Pacific Ocean during the 19th century, including the Gilbert Islands, with their Micronesian population, and the nearby Ellice Islands, which were dominated by Polynesians. In anticipation of independence from Britain, a referendum was held and the two territories were separated in 1976. The former Gilbert Islands were proclaimed the independent Republic of Kiribati, the name being simply the local spelling and pronunciation of "Gilberts". The new flag, hoisted at independence on July 12, 1979, was based on the coat of arms granted to the islands in 1937.Kiribati, flag of. (2009). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 10, 2009, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online
File:Abemama 1884-04.png|Abemama kingdom, April 15, 1884 – June 28, 1884 
File:Abemama 1884-06.png|Abemama kingdom, June 28, 1884 – 1889
File:Abemama 1889.png|Abemama kingdom, 1889-1895
File:British Gilbert Islands 1895.png|British Gilbert Islands, 1895-1937
File:Gilbert and Ellice Islands.svg|Gilbert and Ellice Islands, May 1937 – October 1, 1975
File:British Gilbert Islands 1975.png|British Gilbert Islands, October 1, 1975 – July 12, 1979
File:Kiribati (1979-2020).svg|Republic of Kiribati, 1979 - 2020
File:Kiribati.svg|Republic of Kiribati, since 2020
==References==
Category:Kiribati
Category:Proportions 1-2
Category:Oceania
Category:Birds