River in western Africa, 1,000 km/620 mi long, which gives its name to The Gambia. It rises in Guinea and flows west through Senegal and The Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean.
The flag is modelled on the Stars and Stripes of the United States' flag. The stripes represent the nine provinces at the time of liberation. Blue and white are the colours of Argentina and also of national hero, José Gervasio Artigas. Effective date: 12 July 1830.