This is the national flag and naval Ensign of Guatemala, in Central America. A close-up of the arms can be seen below.
As incredible as it may sound, the details of when Guatemala declared independence from Spain is represented on its national flag. Once you realise where to look on the flag, it even becomes quite easy to tell the date, but it's a skill that comes with practice. For those who cannot find it, Guatemala became independent on the 15th of September, 1821.
Guatemala has the coolest currency name of all nations, the Quetzal. It is named after the national bird of Guatemala, which can also be seen depicted on the national flag if it is examined closely.
In 1901, the United Fruit Company became a major force in Guatemala, controlling 40% of the country's best land and port facilities, as well as influence over the Guatemalan government. In 1931 Jorge Ubico was elected as president, but took dictatorial control until he was overthrown in 1944.
From 1944 to 1954, Guatemala enjoyed a period of peace, free speech, and political and land reform, a period sometimes referred to as the Ten Years of Spring. In 1952 the communist Guatemalan Labor Party gained legal status, which inflamed the United States government, which declared that the Guatemalan government had to be overthrown. In 1954 United States and United Fruit Company backed armed forces invaded from the Honduras and took control of the government.
In 1960, a group of junior military officers revolted and failed, but this marked the beginning of a bloody civil war that would last for the next 36 years. In the late 1990s, United States President Bill Clinton publicaly apologized to the people of Guatemala, recognizing for the first time its interference in Guatemalan politics.
Guatemala's primary exports include coffee, sugar, and bananas.
Guatemala also has a civil ensign, shown below, that is similiar to the national flag but with less details.
You can learn more about Guatemala on Wikipedia.
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