Adopted in 1828. The flag of Uruguay has nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue. A white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy. The stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay. The sun symbol evokes the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was first declared from Spain (Uruguay subsequently won its independence from Brazil). (ref: CIA World Factbook)