World Facts Index
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
Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982.
Geography of the Falkland Islands
|
Location:
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Southern South America,
islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina |
|
Coordinates:
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51 45 S, 59 00 W |
|
Area:
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total: 12,173 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and
about 200 small islands
water: 0 sq km
land: 12,173 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
|
slightly smaller than
Connecticut |
|
Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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1,288 km |
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Maritime claims:
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continental shelf:
200 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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cold marine; strong
westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in
year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow
all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate |
|
Terrain:
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rocky, hilly, mountainous
with some boggy, undulating plains |
|
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish, squid, wildlife,
calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss |
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Natural hazards:
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strong winds persist
throughout the year |
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Environment current issues:
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overfishing by unlicensed
vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001
for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the
world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster |
|
Geography - note:
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deeply indented coast
provides good natural harbors; short growing season
|
Population of the Falkland Islands
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Population:
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3,140 (July 2008 est.) |
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Growth rate:
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2.44% |
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Nationality:
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noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island |
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Ethnic groups:
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British |
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Religions:
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primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United
Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist |
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Languages:
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English
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Government
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Country name:
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conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) |
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK; also claimed
by Argentina |
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Government type:
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NA |
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Capital:
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Stanley |
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Administrative divisions:
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none (overseas territory of the UK; also
claimed by Argentina) |
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Independence:
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none (overseas territory of the UK; also
claimed by Argentina) |
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National holiday:
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Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) |
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Constitution:
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3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 |
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Legal system:
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English common law |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since
6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief
Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008)
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative
Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary),
and the governor |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - two ex officio,
eight elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the
governor. |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident);
Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of
Summary Jurisdiction. |
Economy
The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but
today fishing contributes 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 total more
than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education,
and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming
supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature
shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and
coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British
Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands
in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of
producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been
identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse
licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in
exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is
increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source
of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The
British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost.
|
GDP:
|
purchasing power parity -
$75 million (2002 est.) |
|
GDP per capita:
|
purchasing power parity -
$25,000 (2002 est.) |
|
Labor force:
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1,100 (est.) |
|
Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 95% (mostly
sheepherding and fishing) |
|
Unemployment:
|
full employment; labor
shortage |
|
Budget:
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revenues: $66.2
million
expenditures: $67.9 million, including capital expenditures of
$23.2 million (FY98 est.) |
|
Industries:
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fish and wool processing;
tourism |
|
Agriculture:
|
fodder and vegetable crops;
sheep, dairy products |
|
Exports:
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wool, hides, meat |
|
Export partners:
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Spain 81.5%, US 6%, UK 4.5% (2005) |
|
Imports:
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fuel, food and drink,
building materials, clothing |
|
Import partners:
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UK 72.5%, US 14.7%, Netherlands 8.3% (2005) |
|
Currency:
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Falkland pound (FKP) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |