The Flag of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
The flag of Saint Pierre and Miquelon features a blue field with a yellow ship, said to be the Grande Hermine, on which Jacques Cartier arrived in Saint Pierre and Miquelon in 1536. Above the ship, a yellow scroll bears the name of the islands. The flag is also quartered by a cross composed of a blue and a red stripe, with the upper hoist quarter featuring the Basque flag, the upper fly quarter showing the Breton flag, the lower hoist quarter displaying the flag of Normandy, and the lower fly quarter the flag of France, representing the main groups of settlers and the colonial history of the islands.
History of The Flag of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
The flag of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a relatively recent creation, unofficially adopted in 1982. It was designed to reflect the unique heritage and history of the islands, which have been under French control since 1763, except for brief periods of British occupation. The flag's elements symbolize the islands' historical ties to France and the main regions from which the settlers originated. The ship, the Grande Hermine, acknowledges Jacques Cartier’s exploration, which led to French claims in the New World. The Basque, Breton, and Normandy flags represent the primary groups of settlers who have historically inhabited the islands. Despite its unofficial status, the flag is widely used in Saint Pierre and Miquelon and represents the islands' distinct identity within the French Republic.