The Uruguay flag was officially adopted on July 11, 1830. The flag consists of nine horizontal alternating blue and white stripes and a gold sun with 16 straight and curved fins in the top left corner. The nine stripes represent the nine original provinces of Uruguay. The golden sun is a representation of the ‘Sun of May’, a symbol of freedom and independence. The colors of the Uruguay flag are inspired by the flag of Argentina, whereas the striped design of the Uruguay flag is adapted from the national flag of the U.S.A.