Global InformationFalkland Islands information
Falkland Islands | |
|---|---|
British Overseas Territory | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Motto: "Desire the Right" | |
| Anthem: "God Save the King" | |
| Unofficial anthem: "Song of the Falklands" | |
 Location of the Falkland Islands | |
| Sovereign state |  United Kingdom |
| First settlement | 1764 |
| British rule reasserted | 3 January 1833[citation needed] |
| Falklands War | 2 April to 14 June 1982 |
| Current constitution | 1 January 2009 |
| Capital and largest settlement | Stanley 51°41′43″S 57°50′58″W / 51.69528°S 57.84944°W |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Falkland Islander, Falklander |
| Government | Devolved parliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Charles III |
• Governor | Alison Blake |
• Chief Executive | Andy Keeling |
| Legislature | Legislative Assembly |
| Government of the United Kingdom | |
• Minister | David Rutley |
| Area | |
• Total | 12,173 km2 (4,700 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 0 |
| Highest elevation | 705 m (2,313 ft) |
| Population | |
• 2021 census | 3,662[1] (not ranked) |
• Density | 0.30/km2 (0.8/sq mi) (not ranked) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2013 estimate |
• Total | $228.5 million[2] |
• Per capita | $96,962 (4th) |
| Gini (2015) |  36.0[3]medium |
| HDI (2010) | 0.874[4] very high · not ranked |
| Currency | Pound sterling Falkland Islands pound (£) (FKP) |
| Time zone | UTC– 03:00 (FKST) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +500 |
| UK postcode | FIQQ 1ZZ |
| ISO 3166 code | FK |
| Internet TLD | .fk |
| Website | www |
The Falkland Islands (/ˈfɔː(l)klənd, ˈfɒlk-/ FAW(L)K-lənd, FOLK-;[5] Spanish: Islas Malvinas [ˈislas malˈβinas]) is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 300 mi (480 km) east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and about 752 mi (1,210 km) from Cape Dubouzet at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago, with an area of 4,700 sq mi (12,000 km2), comprises East Falkland, West Falkland, and 776 smaller islands. As a British overseas territory, the Falklands have internal self-governance, but the United Kingdom takes responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The capital and largest settlement is Stanley on East Falkland.
Controversy exists over the Falklands' discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements. Britain reasserted its rule in 1833, but Argentina maintains its claim to the islands. In April 1982, Argentine military forces invaded the islands. British administration was restored two months later at the end of the Falklands War. In a 2013 sovereignty referendum, almost all Falklanders voted in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory. The territory's sovereignty status is part of an ongoing dispute between Argentina and the UK.
The population (3,662 inhabitants in 2021)[1] is primarily native-born Falkland Islanders, the majority of British descent. Other ethnicities include French, Gibraltarians, and Scandinavians. Immigration from the United Kingdom, the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena, and Chile has reversed a population decline. The predominant (and official) language is English. Under the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983, Falkland Islanders are British citizens.
The islands lie at the boundary of the subantarctic oceanic and tundra climate zones, and both major islands have mountain ranges reaching 2,300 ft (700 m). They are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on the main islands due to predation by introduced species. Major economic activities include fishing, tourism and sheep farming, with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports. Oil exploration, licensed by the Falkland Islands Government, remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina.
- ^ a b "2021 Census Report" (XLSX). Policy and Economic Development Unit, Falkland Islands Government. 2022.
- ^ "State of the Falkland Islands Economy" (PDF). March 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "Gini Index coefficient". CIA World Factbook. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ Avakov 2013, p. 47.
- ^ Jones, Daniel (2011). Roach, Peter; Setter, Jane; Esling, John (eds.). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary (18th ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-15255-6.