Basque Country
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The Ikurrina, the flag of the Basque Country, features a red field with a green saltire (diagonal cross) overlaid by a white cross. Designed in 1894 by the brothers Sabino and Luis Arana, the red background represents the Basque people, the green saltire symbolizes the Oak of Guernica and traditional law, and the white cross represents Christianity.
The Ikurrina was illegal during Franco's dictatorship and its display could result in imprisonment; it was legalized after Spain's transition to democracy.
Adopted: 1979
