Denmark is a Nordic nation comprising the Jutland Peninsula and numerous islands, consistently ranking among the world's happiest and most prosperous countries. The Danish flag, the Dannebrog, is the oldest national flag still in use by an independent nation, dating to at least 1370. Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a long maritime trading tradition, and its territories include Greenland, the world's largest island.
Population and area are rounded.
The Dannebrog is said to have fallen from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse in Estonia in 1219, turning the battle for the Danes. Historians date the earliest clear record of it to the 14th century, but it is still regarded as the oldest national flag in continuous use. Its off-centre cross became the model for the Nordic cross flags of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Denmark's flag is flown more widely than in most countries: Danes raise it on birthdays and family celebrations, and it decorates cakes and Christmas trees. A long, swallow-tailed version, the Splitflag, is used by the state and the navy. On 15 June, Valdemarsdag, Denmark marks the legendary fall of the flag from the sky in 1219. The design's off-centre cross gave its name to the Nordic cross used across Scandinavia.
Red with a white Nordic cross. The oldest national flag in the world, dating to 1219.
Denmark consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world.
Denmark's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:
Every flag that has flown over Denmark, from today back through time.
The Dannebrog — a white Nordic cross on red — is the oldest national flag still in continuous use by an independent nation, reliably documented from at least 1370. Legend holds it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219. Whatever its origin, the design has remained essentially unchanged for over 650 years, making it the template for every other Nordic cross flag.
Empires, kingdoms and republics that once covered part of Denmark.
The dynastic union that joined Denmark, Sweden, and Norway under a single monarch for over a century, until Gustav Vasa led Sweden to break away in 1523.
The world's largest island, self-governing since 1979 with a path to full independence. Its red-and-white 'Erfalasorput' is the only Nordic flag without a cross.
A self-governing North Atlantic archipelago between Scotland and Iceland. Its 'Merkið' is a Nordic cross flag, like Denmark's but red-and-blue on white.
The 7 states, provinces and regions of Denmark with their own flags.
North Denmark
Central Denmark
Southern Denmark
Capital Region
Zealand Greenland Faroe IslandsDenmark shares a land border with one country: Germany.
17 other national flags use the same main colours as Denmark's.
Austria
Bahrain
Canada
Georgia
Indonesia
Japan
Latvia
Malta
Monaco
Peru
Poland
Qatar
Singapore
Switzerland
Tonga
Tunisia
Turkey
Norway
Iceland
Germany