National Flag of Malta

Proportions: 2:3 Maltese Flag Description:
The flag of Malta consists of two vertical halves - the left half is white and the right half is red. In the top corner of the left side there is a grey King George Cross which is outlined in red.

Maltese Flag Meaning:
King George VI of Great Britain awarded the George Cross, a military award for gallantry, to Malta in 1942, in recognition of Maltese heroism during the early years of World War II.

Maltese Flag History:
The Maltese flag was adopted on September 21, 1964, the day Malta gained independence from Britain. The vertical white and red base of the Maltese flag has its official origins in the badge of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798. The colors have also been attributed, without any historical evidence, to Count Roger I, who seized the island from the Muslims in 1090.

Interesting Maltese Flag Facts:
There is often a reference to the "Maltese Cross" this, however, is in reference to Malta's merchant flag which has a different shaped cross than the national flag which has a King George Cross on it.