The flag of the Solomon Islands consists of two diagonal bands that divide the flag into three sections. The upper section is blue (symbolizing the Pacific Ocean). The lower section is green (representing the forests and agriculture of the islands). The diagonal division is marked by a yellow band which represents the country's resources and freedom. In the top-left corner, there are five stars arranged in the shape of the Southern Cross, a prominent constellation visible in the southern hemisphere. This constellation is symbolic of the country's location in the Pacific Ocean. The flag was officially adopted on November 18, 1977, after the Solomon Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom. The colors and symbols represent the country's geography, resources, and its place within the Pacific region.