The Falkland Islands are an archipelago which is located in the South Atlantic Ocean. The islands comprise two main islands- East Falkland and West Falkland and other 776 smaller islands. Among the smaller islands the major once are the Barren Island, Beaver Island, Bleaker Island, Carcass Island, George Island, Keppel Island, Lively Island, New Island, Pebble Island, Saunders Island, Sealion Island, Speedwell Island, Staats Island, Weddell Island, and West Point Island. The archipelago is surrounded by Argentina, South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territory. The capital Stanley is situated in the East Falkland. The archipelago is an overseas territory of British crown and also claimed by Argentina. Defense affairs are controlled by the British crown. Falkland Islands have no internal military force.
HISTORY:- The first landing on the coasts of Falkland Islands was recorded when English Captain John Strong arrived in the island in 1690. Until 1820, French, Spanish, and British powers claimed the land. Argentina proclaimed its sovereignty in 1820. In 1833, British force expelled Argentine officials. In 1841 British civilian lieutenant-governor was appointed in the Falkland Islands. The islands were granted the Colonial status in 1892. Argentina never reasserted any claim for the Falklands but it never supported British occupation over the region either. In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falklands. United Nations Security Council’ Resolution 502, called Argentina to withdraw the occupation from the Falkland Islands. The Argentine troops surrendered on 14th June to the British, who re-conquered the islands forcibly.
GEOGRAPHY:- The islands consist of two main islands- East Falkland and West Falkland and 776 other smaller islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Falkland Islands are located at 51 45 S, 59 00 W in South of South America. The total area of the islands is 12,173 sq km with no internal water source. The coastline is 1,288 km long along with the South Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Mount Usborne (705 m). The islands are rocky, hilly and mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains.
CLIMATE:- The climate of the islands is cold marine and humid with strong westerly winds. The sky remains always cloudy. The annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley. Rainy season persists almost half of the year with occasional snowfall.
GOVERNMENT:- Falkland Islands are the British overseas territory. The constitution was adopted on 3rd October 1985 and was amended in 1997 and 1998. The legal system is based on English common codes. The governing is carried out by three major branches:
Executive branch comprises the Queen (chief of state), the Governor (head of government), Chief Executive and cabinet. The governor is appointed by the Monarch.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, Magistrates Court and Court of Summary Jurisdiction. The chief justice of the Supreme Court is non-resident.
There is no political party in the islands, as its administration is controlled by the British government. Suffrage is universal at 18. The inhabitants of the islands enjoy full British citizenship and under Argentine Law they are eligible for Argentine citizenship as well.
Head of state Queen Elizabeth II
Governor Alan Huckle
Chief Executive Tim Thorogood
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Falkland Islands are the overseas territory of British crown. It is also claimed by Argentina. The islands have no division.
CULTURE:- Badminton, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Cricket, Football, Golf, Hockey, Netball, rugby union, Sailing, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball are practiced in the islands.
ECONOMY:- From typical agriculture based economy, the Falkland Islands are transforming into a multi-dimensional economy. Fishing is the main among them. Tourism also plays an important role in the economy.
GDP/PPP (2002 est.): $75 million; per capita $25,000.
Real growth rate: n.a.
Inflation: 3.6% (1998).
Unemployment: full employment; labor shortage (2001).
Arable land: 0%.
Agriculture: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products.
Labor force: 1,100 (est.); agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing).
Industries: fish and wool processing; tourism. Natural resources: fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss.
Budget:
Revenues: $66.2 million
Expenditures: $67.9 million (FY98/99 est.)
Exports: $125 million (2004 est.): wool, hides, meat.
Exports - partners: Spain 81.9%, US 6%, UK 4.5% (2006)
Imports: $90 million (2004 est.): fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing.
Imports - partners: UK 72.5%, US 15.1%, Netherlands 8.5% (2006)
Major trading partners: Spain, UK, U.S., France (2004).
Monetary unit: Falkland Island pound
LANGUAGE:- English is the official language.
CITIES:- The capital city is Stanley.
POPULATION:- The estimated population is 3,140 (July 2008 est.) with a growth rate of 0.011%.
RACE:- Only British people reside on the islands.
RELIGION:- Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist believers stays in the Falkland Islands.
HEALTH:- No prominent data are available.
UNICEF:- Not active in the islands.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Airports: 6 (2007); paved runways: total: 2; unpaved runways: total: 4
Roadways: total: 440 km; paved: 50 km; unpaved: 390 km (2003)
Ports and terminals: Stanley
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