Adopted in 1912; The flag of El Salvador has three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band. The coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL. The banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America. The blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity.