Adopted in 1959. The flag of Niger has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk centered in the white band. The orange band denotes the drier northern regions of the Sahara, white stands for purity and innocence, green symbolizes hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River;, and the orange disc represents the sun and the sacrifices made by the people. (ref: CIA World Factbook)