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Paulo Ramos, Maranhão (Brazil)

image by Dirk Schönberger, 18 May 2010
image based on http://www.pauloramos.ma.gov.br

About the Flag

About the Flag

An off-centered white cross on a green field, a white disk over the intersection of the cross, bearing the municipal arms.

Official website at http://www.pauloramos.ma.gov.br. The flag is shown on the official site, at http://www.pauloramos.ma.gov.br/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=160&Itemid=283.
Dirk Schönberger, 18 May 2010

The municipality of Paulo Ramos (20,087 inhabitants in 2010; 927 sq. km) is located in western Maranhão, 350 km of São Luis.

Paulo Ramos was founded in 1935 by immigrants from Ceará. The place was originally named Bacabinha; according to the local legend, two hunters found a "bacaba"* tree in a lake located on the today's site of the downtown. The municipality of Bacabinha was established by State Law No. 2,949 of 10 December 1968, seceding from Lago de Pedra, and was renamed Paulo Ramos** by State Law No. 3,174 of 30 September 1971.

* a "bacaba" (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) is a palm native to the Amazon rainforest.
** Paulo Martins de Sousa Ramos, aka Paulo Ramos, was Governor of Maranhão in 1936-1945.

The flag of Paulo Ramos shall be manufactured in 1.00 m x 0.70 m, 1.30 m x 0.90 m and 2 m x 1.40 m sizes. Green represents serenity, the natural environment, health, work, freshness, abundance, growth and fertility. White, stimulating and expressive, represents economy, distinction and clearness, the sum of all colors, bringing clarity and joy.
http://www.pauloramos.ma.gov.br/site/-simbolos-/nossa-bandeira.html - Municipal website

The coat of arms of Paulo Ramos show the guts and courage of its inhabitants. The shield is flanked on the left by a maize plant, representing the agricultural resources, and on its right by a "bacaba", a main resource in Maranhão. The shield is surmounted by a mural crown charged with a dove representing the highness of our religious feelings and the protection conferred by God to the population. The shield shows on the left a farmer working under the sun; the furrows symbolize the courage required to work and triumph. On the right is symbolized [by a white bovine head on a green field] cattle-breeding, common in the region. In the base of the shield is shown a landscape with a blue sky and a mountain range representing the beauty of the municipality and the topography of the Middle Mearim area. The landscape also includes river Grajaú, the emblem of the municipality and one of its main natural resources. The name of the municipality and its foundation date are written on a [yellow] scroll. The motto "DEO GRATIA" is written between the shield and the scroll.
http://www.pauloramos.ma.gov.br/site/-simbolos-/nosso-brasao-.html - Municipal website

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2012