Why Do All CENTRAL AMERICAN Countries Have Such Similar Flags?

▶ In this video I talk about Central American Flags. Pointing out their similarities. Namely those of colours - using blue and white (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras), and blue white and red (Costa Rica, Panama and Belize); only changing in the tones of blue. These countries declared independence from the Spanish Empire, having been part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala during colonial times. In 1821 they declared independence, many of them alone, but perhaps due to the expansion of the Mexican Empire to their North (who had also recently achieved independence), they chose to join up together in 1823 and created the Federal Republic of Central America (or the United Provinces of Central America) which joined up the modern countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Panama was left out due to belonging to Gran Colombia, and Belize still being a British Colony. The flag they chose for this Central American Union was inspired in that of Argentina, a horizontal three-stripped flag of light blue and white. Upon the dissolution of this Federal Republic due to its internal struggles, many of the newly independent countries kept on using the same flag on their own, later adapting them and slightly changing the tone of blue or orientation of the stripes (sometimes adding a new color) as well as adding their coat of arms to differentiate themselves from their neighbours, but choosing to maintain the similarity in most cases. Although there were a few exceptions in some cases where these countries tried using completely different flags, but then reverting to a version of the original one.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:56 Federal Republic of Central America
03:41 NordVPN
05:07 Guatemala
05:55 El Salvador
06:48 Honduras
07:34 Nicaragua
08:36 Costa Rica
09:24 Panama
10:38 Belize
11:51 Summary

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[General.Knowledge]

*Which other regions of the world use similar flags?*

[ElIncognito]

As a Guatemalan i feel no shame but rather proud that our flags are similar, it shows that desire to be together again. Instead of fighting against one's brother we should be fighting together. La Unión hace la fuerza

[szbszig]

There was also a sixth, albeit short-lived state in the Federal Republic of Central America. The state of Los Altos (Spanish for 'The Highlands') broke away from Guatemala, while the Federal Republic was still active. At the dissolution of the Federal Republic, Los Altos became a sovereign country. However, in a few years Guatemala occupied it, and incorporated the territory once again. The flag of Los Altos was of course similar to all the other Central American flags, although it's worth noting that it had a red stripe at the bottom. It's also worth noting that the bird in the Guatemalan flag, the quetzal came from the Los Altos flag. Los Altos' capital, Quetzaltenango and Guatemala's current national currency, the quetzal all got their names from the bird.

[SeamlessWaste]

I love how the flag of Honduras arranges the stars in a way that it looks like the letter 'H'. Not sure if it's intentional but it looks nice

[AitorDM]

To add to the video: The inspiration was not born for no reason, but rather it was thanks to Hipólito Bouchard who made successful incursions in Central America, where Royalist forces were located, until ending in Florida. Where the Argentine flag still flies today on coast of California.

[cesarrivera]

Love how you say "Ni'aragua"

[Carlos_AM]

The main reason the Union failed was the isolation and difficult communication between the provinces. During the spanish rule the naval force and the threat of an english attack were the only things that kept the territory together. It is interesting to see that despite not been able to forge a nation there is something of an identity visible in the flags. I’m from Guatemala btw.

[o_s-]

Learning these flags was a nightmare. El Salvador and Nicaragua are pretty much indistinguishable except for the small coat of arms

[pelusooso]

The reason why all 5 of the original nations keep similar designs is that many of their citizens don't see their neighbors as neighbors but as brothers or sisters. Even today there's still a desire to go back to the federation. As independent nations, they are too small and not powerful enough in the world stage; but together they are stronger than their parts. Yes, there a conflicts and even now there are some disagreements amongst these nations - with the Honduran government being somewhat hostile towards El Salvador, and Nicaragua being communist friendly. It is mostly the political parties and leaders who have the most disagreements. The general public really doesn't feel strongly anti-anyone else. Some borders are completely open amongst neighbors and people commute from one side to the other for work on the daily. Some border towns even accept the other country's currency since they are so intertwined. In other words, these nations aren't trying to display that they have a common ancestry. They are displaying that they are like a fragmented family seeking to reunite again; despite this, they are still brethren. - Reminds me of something many families say (including my grandmother): No matter how thin the blood gets, family is family and love is never any less.

[AloneSitoYTTM]

I love seeing foreign people taking about our countries :)



hi from an Honduran :) 🇭🇳

[D_Rre]

The way he says “hondurash.” I love it ❤

[Superfrio]

Great video! I want to point out something, though. Panama was a part of Gran Colombia (just Colombia at the time but now we name it that way to distinguish itself from present-day Colombia). Colombia (then known as Nueva Granada) was a part of Gran Colombia too, and when this union was dissolved (1831), the current Colombia was established, with Panama (the Istmo) being still a part of this country. Panama was a part of both the Gran Colombia and the modern Colombia, not just the first one.

I hope you keep making videos like this, they're awesome!

[ZaKRo-bxlp]

The Panamanian flag is easily the most recognizable flag design from them

[memoterro]

I think that the fact the flags remain similar to each other is great. As Central-americans we do have a common identity, we celebrare our independence together and most of our traditions as well. Whenever we are abroad, we tend to feel safe when we see any of our flags, regardless it’s our contry or not.

[joaquinurielrosenfeld]

It is true that the flag of the Federal Republic of Central America was inspired by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, but not for any reason. The United Provinces, after the declaration of independence in 1816, hired multiple corsairs and pirates of French and English nationality to raid trade routes and attack Spanish ports throughout the continent. One of the most well known, Hipólito Bouchard, ventured to the Pacific coast weaving the flag of the United Provinces. When he arrived in Central America, people mistook the flag for a "Pan American Revolutionary Symbol", so they used it as well...

[ΚώσταςΛιατήρης]

World: Why do you guys have similar flags?
Central America: Yes

[brunobisio]

You know how in some languages blue and green are different shades of the same colour? In spanish we "blue" split into different colours, so changing a flag from light blue to dark blue is, to us, as big a change as it would be changing a flag from red to pink

[bababababababa]

Not gonna lie I had no idea Honduras changed their flag that recently, I assumed it was always that colour lol

[josueveguilla]

Esa es una excelente pregunta.
Translation
That is an excellent question.

[franktomasreynoso]

People often get confused with the flags of El Salvador & Nicaragua. 🇸🇻 🇳🇮