Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
CIA - The World Factbook The World Factbook Home
CIA - The World Factbook
South America :: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
(overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
page last updated on May 4, 2010
Flag of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
 
Navigation Arrow view 3 photos Opens in New Window
of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
51 45 S, 59 00 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12,173 sq km
country comparison to the world: 164
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,288 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Current Weather
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
strong winds persist throughout the year
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
Back to Top
People ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3,140 (July 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 229
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.011% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
British
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
English
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Back to Top
Government ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 January 2009
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
English common law
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006) is the Queen's representative; 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; the governor must obey the rulings of the Executive Council on domestic affairs
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral Legislative Council (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 5 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2013)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none; all independents
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
UPU
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Economy ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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. Foreign exchange earnings come from 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.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$105.1 million (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$105.1 million (2002 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$35,400 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 95%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1996 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,724 (1996) (1996)
country comparison to the world: 224
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)
industry and services: 5% (1996)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $66.2 million
expenditures: $67.9 million (FY98/99 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.6% (1998)
country comparison to the world: 109
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products; fish, squid
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fish and wool processing; tourism
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
16 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14.88 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
271 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$125 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
wool, hides, meat, fish, squid
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$90 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)
note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Back to Top
Communications ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 222
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 213
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: NA
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service) (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders); cable television is available in Stanley (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.fk
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
90 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 200
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 207
Back to Top
Transportation ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 169
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 4
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 440 km
country comparison to the world: 196
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 390 km (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Stanley
Back to Top
Military ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
no regular military forces
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.