Page last updated on January 17, 2014
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 With hostilities ended and Argentine forces withdrawn, UK administration resumed.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.
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
total: 12,173 sq km
country comparison to the world: 165
land: 12,173 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
slightly smaller than Connecticut
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
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 typically does not accumulate
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2011)
strong winds persist throughout the year
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 1986 Chornobyl disaster
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island
Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census)
3,140 (July 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 232
0.01% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
urban population: 74% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
STANLEY (capital) 2,000 (2009)
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
name: Stanley
geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, observed all year in 2013
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
previous 1985; latest entered into force 1 January 2009 (2011)
English common law and local statutes
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Nigel HAYWOOD (since 16 October 2010) is the Queen's representative; Chief Executive Keith PADGETT (since 1 February 2012)
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor; the governor must obey the rulings of the Executive Council on domestic affairs
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief executive appointed by the governor
unicameral Legislative Assembly (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; members to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor
elections: last held on 7 November 2013 (next to be held in November 2017)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, the chief justice as an ex officio, non-resident member, and 2 justices of appeal); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice)
judge selection and term of office: all justices appointed by the governor; tenure specified in each justice's instrument of appointment
subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes)
none (overseas territory of the UK)
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
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
name: "Song of the Falklands""
lyrics/music: Christopher LANHAM
note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
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 fish 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. In 2001, the government purchased 100 reindeer with the intent to increase the number to 10,000 over the following 20 years so that venison could be exported to Scandinavia and Chile. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009. The British military presence also provides a sizeable 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 September 2011, a British exploration firm announced that it plans to commence oil production in 2016.
$164.5 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
$164.5 million (2007 est.)
$55,400 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
agriculture: 95%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1996)
fodder and vegetable crops; venison, sheep, dairy products; fish, squid
fish and wool processing; tourism
5,246 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 221
agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)
industry and services: 5% (1996)
4.1% (2010)
country comparison to the world: 33
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
revenues: $67.1 million
expenditures: $75.3 million (FY09/10)
40.8% of GDP (FY09/10)
country comparison to the world: 41
-5% of GDP (FY09/10)
country comparison to the world: 167
1.2% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 19
$125 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
wool, hides, meat, venison, fish, squid
$90 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing
Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar -
19 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
17.67 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
10,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
90% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
10% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 131
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
300 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
312.5 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 138
45,740 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
1,980 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 218
3,450 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 216
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands
international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries (2011)
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)
110 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 206
2,900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 209
7 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 170
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
total: 440 km
country comparison to the world: 198
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 390 km (2008)
major seaport(s): Stanley
no regular military forces
defense is the responsibility of the UK
