Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. With hostilities ended and Argentine forces withdrawn, UK administration resumed. In response to renewed calls from Argentina for Britain to relinquish control of the islands, a referendum was held in March 2013, which resulted in 99.8% of the population voting to remain a part of the UK.

geography

location

51.45° S, 59. 0° W
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km east of southern Argentina

area

12,173 sq km
land
12,173 sq km
water
0 sq km

land boundaries

0 km

coastline

1,288 km

climate

cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 60 cm in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate

terrain

rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains

elevation

lowest point
Atlantic Ocean
0
highest point
Mount Usborne
705

natural resources

  • fish
  • squid
  • wildlife
  • calcified seaweed
  • sphagnum moss

land use

  • arable land
  • permanent crops
  • permanent pasture
  • forest
  • other

population distribution

a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley

people

population

  • 3,198
  • 229
    global rank

nationality

  • Falkland Islander(s)
    noun
  • Falkland Island
    adjective

ethnic groups

Falkland Islander
48.3 %
British
23.1 %
St. Helenian
7.5 %
Chilean
4.6 %
mixed
6 %
other
8.5 %
unspecified
2 %

languages

  • English
  • Spanish
  • other

religions

Christian
57.1 %
other
1.6 %
none
35.4 %
unspecified
6 %

birth rate

  • 10.9
    per 1,000 population
  • 181
    global rank

death rate

  • 4.9
    per 1,000 population
  • 199
    global rank

urban population

78.5 %

major urban areas

  • Stanley
    pop. 2,000

life expectancy

  • 77.9
    total population
  • global rank
75.6
male
79.6
female

government

government type

parliamentary democracy (Legislative Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

capital

Stanley
51.42 S, 57.51 W

independence

national holidays

  • Liberation Day
    14 June

legal system

English common law and local statutes

age of suffrage

18

flag description

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

national anthem

Song of the Falklands"

economy

overview

The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but fishing and tourism currently comprise the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees net more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. The waters around the Falkland Islands are known for their squid, which account for around 75% of the annual 200,000-ton catch. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and from the sale of postage stamps and coins. Tourism, especially ecotourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009 and adds approximately $5.5 million to the Falkland’s annual GDP. The British military presence also provides a sizable economic boost. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. In 1993, the British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. Political tensions between the UK and Argentina remain high following the start of oil drilling activities in the waters. In May 2010 the first commercial oil discovery was made, signaling the potential for the development of a long term hydrocarbon industry in the Falkland Islands.

GDP

206,400,000 USD
2015

agriculture products

  • fodder
  • vegetable crops
  • venison
  • sheep
  • dairy products
  • fish
  • squid

budget

  • 67,099,999.99,999,999
    revenue (USD)
  • 75,300,000
    expenditures (USD)

communications

telephones

    fixed lines

  • 2,255
    total subscriptions
  • 212
    global rank

    mobile cellular

  • 4,674
    total subscriptions
  • 217
    global rank

broadcast media

TV service provided by a multi-channel service provider; radio services provided by the public broadcaster, Falkland Islands Radio Service, broadcasting on both AM and FM frequencies, and by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) (2007)

internet

.fk
country code

    users

  • 3,000
    total
  • 98.3
    % of population
  • 218
    global rank

energy

This entry doesn't have any available energy data.

transportation

air transport

    airports

  • 7
    total
  • 2
    paved

roadways

440 km
total length

military

This entry doesn't have any available military data.