Flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
territoryThe flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands was adopted on February 3, 1992. British Blue Ensign with the territorial coat of arms. It uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and gold. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands |
|---|---|
| Country | South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands |
| Official Country Name | South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands |
| Capital | King Edward Point |
| Continent | Antarctic |
| Region | South Atlantic and Polar Territories |
| ISO Country Code | GS / SGS |
| Internet Domain | .gs |
| Calling Code | +500 |
| Currency | Saint Helena pound (SHP) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | South Georgian South Sandwich Islander |
| Area | 3,903 km² |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | February 3, 1992 |
| First Used | 1985 |
| Current Version Adopted | February 3, 1992 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Red, Gold |
| Design Type | British Blue Ensign with the territorial coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official Territorial Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #012169 | 1, 33, 105 | 99, 69, 0, 59 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #C8102E | 200, 16, 46 | 0, 92, 77, 22 | |
| Gold | #FFD100 | 255, 209, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the ensign field |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the Union Jack and shield |
| Red colour | Represents the Union Jack |
| Gold colour | Represents the shield |
| Lion, fur seal and macaroni penguin | The British link and the wildlife of the islands |
| Motto | “Leo Terram Propriam Protegat” — Let the lion protect his own land |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1985 | The design was first used |
| 1992-02-03 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 34 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | February 3, 1992 |
| Oldest Version | 1985 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Anguilla, Ascension Island, Australia |
| Unique Feature | British Blue Ensign with the territorial coat of arms |
Other british-style ensign flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- The shield carries a lion holding a torch and a fur seal and macaroni penguin as supporters, with the motto Leo Terram Propriam Protegat.
- The reindeer above the shield refers to a herd introduced by Norwegian whalers, which was removed from the island entirely by 2015 — the flag now depicts an animal no longer found there.
- The flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands was officially adopted on February 3, 1992.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1985, 7 years before it was formally made the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
- The flag in its present form is 34 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: British Blue Ensign with the territorial coat of arms.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 55 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and gold.
- The blue on the flag stands for the ensign field.
- The white on the flag stands for the Union Jack and shield.
- The red on the flag stands for the Union Jack.
- Lion, fur seal and macaroni penguin: The British link and the wildlife of the islands.
- Motto: “Leo Terram Propriam Protegat” — Let the lion protect his own land.
- The design belongs to the "British-style ensign" family, shared with 22 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Anguilla, Ascension Island and Australia.
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is a British Overseas Territory with no permanent population, administered by the United Kingdom.
- The capital is King Edward Point. The currency is the Saint Helena pound (SHP).
- It covers 3,903 km².
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
When was the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands adopted?
The flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands was officially adopted on February 3, 1992, though the design had already been in use since 1985.
What do the colours of the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands mean?
Blue for the ensign field, white for the Union Jack and shield, red for the Union Jack and gold for the shield.
Is South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands an independent country?
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is a British Overseas Territory with no permanent population, administered by the United Kingdom.
What do the symbols on the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands represent?
Lion, fur seal and macaroni penguin — The British link and the wildlife of the islands. Motto — “Leo Terram Propriam Protegat” — Let the lion protect his own land.
What are the proportions of the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 55 national flags.
What is the capital of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
The capital is King Edward Point. The currency is the Saint Helena pound (SHP) and the language spoken is English.
Which flags look similar to the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
The closest matches are Anguilla, Ascension Island and Australia, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
It uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and gold.
Can I download the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands for free?
Yes. This page offers the flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in SVG, PNG, JPG and WebP at several sizes. The files are free to use for any purpose and no attribution is required.
How big is South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
The area is 3,903 km².