Prominent steep-sided hill of resistant solid rock, such as granite, rising out of a plain, usually in a tropical area. Its rounded appearance is caused by so-called onion-skin weathering (exfoliation), in which the surface is eroded in successive layers.
The Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro harbour in Brazil, and Ayers Rock in Northern Territory, Australia, are well-known examples.
Red recalls the struggle for independence. Blue stands for the Indian Ocean. Yellow expresses hope for a bright future. Green represents agriculture and vegetation. Effective date: 12 March 1968.