The flag was officialized in 1965 at the time of independence. Red represents the shining sun and the Savanna grasslands, green, the rich agriculture and forests, blue, the Gambia River which runs through the middle of the country, and the two white stripes, the highway that runs on the both banks of the Gambia River and symbolizes the citizens' unity and peace. The country gained independence as a crown colony of United Kingdom in 1965 and became a republic in 1970, but no changes were made on the flag.