Flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

What the flag looks like

A Blue Ensign with the territory's coat of arms in the fly: a shield with a golden lion holding a torch, supported by a fur seal and a macaroni penguin, with a reindeer standing on top and the motto below.

What it means

The lion stands for Britain and the torch for exploration; the seal, penguin and reindeer are animals of South Georgia, where reindeer were brought by Norwegian whalers.

How to remember it

South Georgia's Blue Ensign carries a whole sub-Antarctic zoo: a fur seal and a penguin hold up the shield while a reindeer stands on top.

Fun facts

• The motto "Leo Terram Propriam Protegat" means "Let the lion protect its own land".
• The explorer Ernest Shackleton is buried at Grytviken on South Georgia.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands at a glance

Status

British Overseas Territory

Sovereign state

United Kingdom

Population

No permanent residents; about 20 officials and scientists

Capital

King Edward Point

Region

British Overseas Territory

Area

3,903 km²

Languages

English

Currency

British pound (£)

Flag adopted

1999

Flags often confused with South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

• Falkland Islands: The Falklands and South Georgia are both South Atlantic Blue Ensigns with a coat of arms in the fly. The Falklands' shield shows a ram above a sailing ship; South Georgia's has a lion with a torch, held up by a seal and a penguin with a reindeer on top.
• Tristan da Cunha: South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha are both Blue Ensigns whose shields are held up by animals. South Georgia's supporters are a fur seal and a penguin with a reindeer on top; Tristan's are two red rock lobsters with a longboat on top.
• Ascension Island: South Georgia and Ascension are both Blue Ensigns whose shields are held up by animals. South Georgia's supporters are a fur seal and a penguin; Ascension's are two green sea turtles.