The design with the cross placed on the left side is called the "Scandinavian Cross" and is common in Scandinavian countries. From 1897, when under the control of Denmark, a flag based in blue and with a white Scandinavian cross was used unofficially, but in 1915, three years before the country became an independent kindgdom under the control of Denmark, red from the Danish flag was added. The flag was then made official in 1944 when the country became a republic.