Falkland Islands (GPS: 51 45 S, 59 00 W) located in Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km east of southern Argentina. The country’s area measurements are total: 12,173 sq km; land: 12,173 sq km, water: 0 sq km. This sovereign state is slightly smaller than Connecticut. The total irrigated land is N/A.
One of the essential features of the Falkland Islands: Deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors. Short growing season.
It’s significant, and at the same time, the principal city, Stanley’s GPS coordinates are 51 42 S 57 51 W. Stanley’s local time is 1 hour ahead of Washington DC during Standard Time. The capital’s time difference: UTC-4.
Google Maps Falkland Islands and Stanley, South America
About the Falkland Islands in detail
Flag of Falkland Islands
Map of Falkland Islands
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 With hostilities ended and Argentine forces withdrawn, the UK administration resumed.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.
Falkland Islands’ names conventional long form: none, conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), etymology: the archipelago takes its name from the Falkland Sound, the strait separating the two main islands; the channel itself was named after the Viscount of Falkland who sponsored an expedition to the islands in 1690; the Spanish name for the archipelago derives from the French “Iles Malouines,” the name applied to the islands by French explorer Louis-Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE in 1764. The archipelago takes its name from the Falkland Sound, the strait separating the two main islands; The channel itself was named after the Viscount of Falkland, who sponsored an expedition to the islands in 1690; The Spanish name for the archipelago derives from the French “Iles Malouines,” the name applied to the islands by French explorer Louis-Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE in 1764.
Falkland Islands’ terrain is typically rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains. The country’s mean elevation: N/A, elevation extremes; lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m, highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m.
The general climate in the country; cold marine: strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid: rain occurs on more than half of days in the year: average annual rainfall is 60 cm in Stanley: occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate.
The total number of border countries is 0; none are the neighboring nations with the indicated border lengths. Falkland Islands’ coastline is 1,288 km, while its marital claims are: territorial sea: 12 nautical miles, continental shelf: 200 nautical miles, exclusive fishing zone: 200 nautical miles. Waterways: N/A. Land use: agricultural land: 92.4%; arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 92.4%; forest: 0%; other: 7.6% (2011 estimate).
The population in Falkland Islands 3,198 (2016 estimate), urban population: 76.2% of total population (2015), central metropolitan area’s population: STANLEY (capital) 2,000 (2014), while the Falkland Islands has a tiny community, with most residents living in and around Stanley. Their spoken languages are: English 89%, Spanish 7.7%, other 3.3% (2006 estimate). Main religions in the Falkland Islands are Christian 66%, none 32%, an additional 2% (2012 estimate). The nation uses English common law and local statutes. It is a(n) parliamentary democracy (Legislative Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK, National holiday(s) Liberation Day, 14 June (1982).
Economic overview for the country: 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, supporting the island’s health, education, and welfare system.
The waters around the Falkland Islands are known for their squid, which accounts for around 75% of the annual 200,000-ton catch. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from high-grade wool shipments to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Especially ecotourism, tourism is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009 and 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 developing a long-term hydrocarbon industry in the Falkland Islands.
Main export partners for the Falkland Islands, South America, are N/A for wool, hides, meat, venison, fish, squid, while the main import partners for the country are: N/A for fuel, food, and drink, building materials, clothing.
When you visit this country in South America, consider the Falkland Islands’ natural hazards: Strong winds persist throughout the year, while infectious diseases are N/A. Also, note that the Falkland Islands faces the following environmental issues: Overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem, Reindeer – introduced to the islands in 2001 from South Georgia – are part of a farming effort to produce specialty meat and diversify the islands’ Economy, This is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster, Grazing threatens important habitats including tussac grass and its ecosystem with penguins and sea lions, Soil erosion from fires.
You may also be interested in the countries next to the Falkland Islands around its 0 km border – No border countries.
