Flags of the Americas

Explanation: The maple leaf has 11 points on a red and white background, adopted in 1965 after a lengthy national debate. Red and white have been Canada's official colors since 1921.

Explanation: 50 stars for the 50 current states. The number has changed 27 times since 1777. The 13 stripes represent the 13 founding colonies.

Explanation: The green-white-red with the eagle devouring a snake on a cactus, an Aztec symbol of the founding of Tenochtitlan.

Explanation: The yellow diamond on a green background with the blue starry globe and the motto "Ordem e Progresso". Each star represents a Brazilian state.

Explanation: The Sun of May (Sol de Mayo) in the center represents the Inca god Inti. The sky blue and white bands were created by Manuel Belgrano in 1812.

Explanation: Looks like the Texas flag! But the Chilean flag (1817) predates the Texas one (1838). The star symbolizes guidance and progress.

Explanation: Yellow-blue-red with yellow taking up the upper half. Created by independence hero Francisco de Miranda in 1801.

Explanation: A golden eagle (aguila real) devouring a snake, perched on a nopal cactus. An Aztec legend of the founding of Mexico-Tenochtitlan.

Explanation: The red triangle symbolizes the blood shed for freedom, the white star represents liberty. The 3 blue stripes represent the 3 colonial departments.

Explanation: The vertical red-white-red bands. According to legend, General San Martin saw flamingos and created these colors to symbolize blood and peace.

Explanation: The 9 stripes (representing the 9 original departments) and the Sun of May like Argentina. Adopted in 1830.

Explanation: Jamaica adopted this green-black-gold saltire flag at independence in 1962. It is one of the very few national flags that contains neither red, white, nor blue.

Explanation: Horizontal blue and red with the coat of arms. Created in 1803 by tearing the white from the French flag, symbolizing the rejection of colonization.

Explanation: The front shows the national seal and the back shows the Treasury seal (a lion). Paraguay and Oregon (US state) are the only ones with this feature.

Explanation: The flag of Suriname consists of five horizontal stripes (green, white, red, white, green) with a yellow star in the center. Adopted in 1975 upon independence from the Netherlands.