The national flag of Belize depicts two woodcutters, a shield and a mahogany tree in its coat of arms.
Belize’s flag is unusually detailed because its central emblem is the country’s coat of arms. The shield contains tools, a ship and a mahogany tree, reflecting the historical importance of forestry and mahogany exports. Two men support the shield: one holds an axe and the other holds a paddle.
The flag was adopted on 21 September 1981, the date Belize became independent from the United Kingdom. A narrow red stripe was added at the top and bottom after independence, while the central field remained blue with a white disk.
Belize is sometimes confused with other Central American countries because many regional flags use strong blue or red fields. Its large circular coat of arms, however, makes it one of the most recognizable national flags in the Americas.