White solid, slightly soluble in water. A solution of calcium hydroxide is called limewater and is used in the laboratory to test for the presence of carbon dioxide.
It is manufactured industrially by adding water to calcium oxide (quicklime) in a strongly exothermic reaction:
CaO + H2O ® Ca(OH)2
It is used to reduce soil acidity and as a cheap alkali in many industrial processes.
Blue stands for the sea. Green represents agriculture and natural wealth. White symbolizes peace. Red recalls the struggle for independence. Effective date: 21 August 1979.