Flag of Malta
Europe
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Valletta
- Flag adopted
- 1964
- Population
- 574,250
- Area
- 316 km²
- Languages
- English, Maltese
- Currency
- euro (€) — EUR
- Demonym
- Maltese
- Government
- parliamentary republic
- Subregion
- Southern Europe
- Driving side
- Left
- Timezones
- UTC+01:00
- Independence
- 1964
Religions
- Roman Catholic 90%
About This Flag
The flag of Malta consists of two equal vertical bands of white on the hoist side and red on the fly side, with a representation of the George Cross edged in red in the upper-left corner of the white band. The white and red are the traditional colors of Malta, said to have been given to the Maltese by the Norman Count Roger I of Sicily in 1091, when he reportedly tore a corner from his red-and-white checkered banner.
The George Cross was awarded to the entire population of Malta by King George VI of Britain on April 15, 1942, in recognition of the island's extraordinary bravery during the sustained Axis bombardment in World War II. The flag with the George Cross was adopted on September 21, 1964, upon independence from Britain.
What the colors & design mean
White represents peace and purity. Red symbolizes the courage and sacrifice of the Maltese people. The George Cross in the upper corner commemorates the award given to the entire island by King George VI for heroism during World War II.
Pattern: Vertical Stripes
Fun Facts
- Malta is the only nation whose entire population was collectively awarded a military decoration — the George Cross — for their bravery during World War II, when the island endured over 3,000 bombing raids.
- The George Cross on Malta's flag is unique in world vexillology — no other national flag features a military award granted by a foreign sovereign.
- Malta was ruled by the Knights of St. John (Knights Hospitaller) from 1530 to 1798, and the distinctive Maltese Cross associated with the order remains a globally recognized symbol.
- Despite being only 316 square kilometers, Malta has one of the highest population densities in the world and has been continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years.
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