The flag of Iceland features a blue field with a red cross outlined in white, extending to the edges. The colors symbolize various aspects of Iceland's natural landscape: the blue represents the Atlantic Ocean surrounding the island, the white represents the snow and glaciers, and the red symbolizes the volcanic activity that is prominent in the country. The design is inspired by the Nordic cross, similar to flags of other Scandinavian countries, reflecting Iceland's cultural and historical ties to Scandinavia. The flag was officially adopted on June 19, 1915, and became the national flag when Iceland gained full independence in 1944