Denmark Flags

The flag of Denmark features a red and white cross that is off-centered. Previously, the cross was centered evenly, forming a perfect square. However, it was later expanded in an uneven height to width ratio. The current ratio of its height to its width is 28:37. The flag of Denmark is called the "Dannebrog", which translates to "the cloth of the Danes" or the "red flag". History has it that the flag of Denmark descended from the sky after the Danish King Valdemar II defeated Estonia on June 15, 1219. It was officially used as the state flag in 1625, making it the oldest flag in Europe.

The colors used in the Danish flag are red and white. The flag has a white cross that stretches to the edges of the flag. The white cross represents Christianity. The white cross is also used by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland. Moreover, the white color symbolizes peace and honesty. The red color symbolizes strength, bravery, and hardiness.

Historically, the Danish flag was contested. For instance, the Battle of Lyndanisse of 1219, where King Valdemar II of Denmark took over Estonia. In the Netherlands, from 1370 -1386, the court of arms of Valdemar IV Atterdag was used a red banner as an emblem with an extended white cross. Furthermore, the Roman Empire, Constantine used the flag when he became an absolute monarchy and converted to Christianity.

The flag of Denmark has transformed slightly over the years. The oldest representation of the Danish flag was used in the Gerle Armorial (1370 - 86). It was a short flag with the cross centered throughout. Another version of the flag was the 18th Century Merchant Flag, adopted in 1748. The merchant flag was also identical to the national flag, but with a centered white cross. Other more recent recent versions of the flag include the square flag, the swallow-tailed flag, and the naval flag. The Royal Danish Navy and on-board ships use the naval flag.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Copenhagen
Languages	Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)
Ethnic Groups	Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, Turkish, Polish, Syrian, German, Iraqi (2017 est.)
Religion	Evangelical Lutheran (official) 76%, Muslim 4%, other (denominations of less than 1% each, includes Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Serbian Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Baptist, and Buddhist) 20% (2017 est.)
Government	Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Independance	Ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under HARALD I Gormson); 5 June 1849 (became a parliamentary constitutional monarchy)
Area	43,094.00 km²
Water Area	660.00 km²
Land Area	42,434.00 km²
Population	5,593,785.00 With excellent access to the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and the Baltic Sea, population centers tend to be along coastal areas, particularly in Copenhagen and the eastern side of the country's mainland
Location	Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes several major islands (Sjaelland, Fyn, and Bornholm)
No. Bordering Countries	1
Bordering Countries	Germany 140 km
GDP(PPP)	$265,000,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$46,600.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, and dairy products.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, and chemicals.
Climate	Temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Terrain	Low and flat to gently rolling plains
Learn More	Denmark

Denmark Flags

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