Flag of Denmark

What the flag looks like

A red field with a white Nordic cross extending to the edges, its vertical arm shifted towards the hoist.

What it means

The white cross is a Christian symbol; legend says the flag fell from the sky during a Danish battle in Estonia in 1219.

How to remember it

Denmark is the original Nordic cross: plain white on red, running edge to edge; Switzerland's cross floats, and Norway adds a blue cross inside.

Fun facts

• Known as the Dannebrog, it holds the Guinness record for the oldest continuously used national flag, in use since 1625.
• Every other Nordic country's cross flag was inspired by the Danish design.

Denmark at a glance

Capital

Copenhagen

Region

Northern Europe

Population

6.0 million

Area

43,094 km²

Languages

Danish

Currency

Danish krone (kr)

Flag adopted

1625

Flags often confused with Denmark

• Norway: Denmark and Norway both have an off-center cross on red. Denmark's cross is plain white; Norway's is blue with a white border.
• Switzerland: Switzerland and Denmark both have a white cross on red. Switzerland's flag is square with a short centered cross; Denmark's cross reaches the edges and sits towards the hoist.