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Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Background: Discovered in the 16th century and settled in the mid-18th century, 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.
Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area:
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims:
Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Elevation extremes:
Natural resources: fish, wildlife Land use:
Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
Population: 2,826 (July 2000 est.) Age structure:
Population growth rate: 2.44% (2000 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth:
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality:
Ethnic groups: British Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English
Country name:
Data code: FA Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina Government type: NA Capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: 3 October 1985; amended 1997 Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch:
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is a nonresident Political parties and leaders: none; all independents International organization participation: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is 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
Economy - overview: 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 Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to 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. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. 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. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector:
Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1998) Labor force: 1,100 (est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) Unemployment rate: full employment; labor shortage Budget:
Industries: wool and fish processing; sale of stamps and coins Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - production: 12 million kWh (1998) Electricity - production by source:
Electricity - consumption: 11 million kWh (1998) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998) Agriculture - products: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products Exports: $7.6 million (1995) Exports - commodities: wool, hides, meat Exports - partners: UK, Japan Imports: $24.7 million (1995) Imports - commodities: fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing Imports - partners: UK, Japan Debt - external: $NA Economic aid - recipient: $1.7 million (1995) Currency: 1 Falkland pound = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound per US$1 - 0.6092 (January 2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Telephones - main lines in use: NA Telephones - mobile cellular: NA Telephone system:
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998) Radios: 1,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service) (1997) Televisions: 1,000 (1997) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
Railways: 0 km Highways:
Ports and harbors: Stanley Merchant marine: none (1999 est.) Airports: 5 (1999 est.) Airports - with paved runways:
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Military branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Disputes - international: claimed by Argentina Please click here for a guide to the country profiles Click here for all other countries
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