{{Redirect2|Falklands|Malvinas|other uses of Falklands|Falkland (disambiguation)|other uses of Malvinas|Malvinas (disambiguation)}}

<!--Do not edit this article to include or remove any Spanish names without first discussing it on Talk. Any substantial changes without consensus on Talk may result in an immediate block from editing.-->

{{Infobox country

|conventional_long_name = Falkland Islands

|common_name = Falkland Islands

|demonym = Falkland Islander

|image_flag = Flag of the Falkland Islands.svg

|image_coat = Coat of arms of the Falkland Islands.svg

|symbol = Coat of arms of the Falkland Islands

|image_map = Falkland Islands in its region (globe zoom+inset).svg

|map_caption = Location of the Falkland Islands.

|national_motto = <!--speechmarks (quotation):-->"Desire the right"

|national_anthem = <!--italics (song/music title):-->''[[God Save the Queen]]''{{nbsp|2}}{{small|(official)}}<br/>''[[Song of the Falklands]]''&nbsp;{{ref label|anthem-note|a|}}

|official_languages = [[English language|English]]

|capital = [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]]

|latd=51 |latm=42 |latNS=S |longd=57 |longm=51 |longEW=W

|largest_city = [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]]

|ethnic_groups =

|government_type = {{nowrap|[[British Overseas Territories|British Overseas Territory]]{{ref label|government-type|b|}}}}

|ethnic_groups_year = {{lower|0.4em|<ref>{{cite web |author=Joshua Project |url=http://www.joshuaproject.net/countries.php?rog3=FK |title=Ethnic People Groups of Falkland Islands |publisher=Joshua Project |date= |accessdate=28 February 2010}}</ref>}}

|leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch]]

|leader_name1 = [[Elizabeth II]]

|leader_title2 = [[Governor of the Falkland Islands|Governor]]

|leader_name2 = [[Nigel Haywood]]{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Government"}}

|leader_title3 = [[Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands|Chief Executive]]

|leader_name3 = [[Keith Padgett]]<ref name="Padgett"/>

|leader_title4 = Responsible Minister ([[UK government|UK]])

|leader_name4 = {{nowrap|[[Hugo Swire]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]]}}

|legislature = [[Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands|Legislative Assembly]]

|area_rank = 162nd

|area_magnitude = 1 E10

|area_km2 = 12,173

|area_sq_mi = 4,700 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->

|percent_water = 0

|population_estimate = 2,932<ref name=census2012>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assets/Headline-Results-from-Census-2012.pdf|title=Falkland Islands Census 2012: Headline results |date=10 September 2012 |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=19 December 2012}}</ref>

|population_estimate_rank = 220th

|population_estimate_year = 2012

|population_census = |population_census_year = 2012

|population_density_km2 = 0.26

|population_density_sq_mi = 0.65 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->

|population_density_rank = 241st

|GDP_PPP = $75&nbsp;million

|GDP_PPP_rank = 223rd

|GDP_PPP_year = 2005

|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $55,400<ref name="CIA">2002 estimate. {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fk.html |title=CIA World Factbook 2012 |publisher=cia.gov |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04}}</ref>

|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 7th

|sovereignty_type = [[History of the Falkland Islands|Establishment]]

|established_event1 = [[Reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (1833)|British rule re-established]]

|established_date1 = 1833

|established_event2 = [[Crown Colony]]

|established_date2 = 1841

|established_event3 = [[British Nationality Act 1981|British Dependent Territory]]

|established_date3 = 1981{{ref label|establishment-note|c|}}

|established_event4 = [[British Overseas Territories|British Overseas Territory]]

|established_date4 = 2002

|established_event5 = {{nowrap|[[Constitution of the Falkland Islands|Current constitution]]}}

|established_date5 = 2009

|Gini_year = |Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady--> |Gini = <!--number only--> |Gini_ref =

|HDI_year = |HDI_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady--> |HDI = <!--number only--> |HDI_ref =

|currency = [[Falkland Islands pound]]{{ref label|currency-note|d|}}

|currency_code = FKP

|iso3166code = FK

|time_zone = [[Falkland Islands Summer Time|FKST]]{{ref label|time-note|e|}}

|utc_offset = −3

|drives_on = left

|calling_code = 500

|cctld = [[.fk]]

|footnote_a = {{note|anthem-note}} ''[[Song of the Falklands]]'' is used as the islands' anthem at sporting events.

|footnote_b = {{note|government-type}} [[Parliamentary system|Parliamentary]] [[Representative democracy|democratic]] [[Dependent territory|dependency]] under [[constitutional monarchy]].

|footnote_c = {{note|establishment-note}} Interrupted by [[Occupation of the Falkland Islands|Argentine military government]] in 1982.

|footnote_d = {{note|currency-note}} Fixed to the [[Pound sterling|Pound sterling (GBP)]].

|footnote_e = {{note|time-note}} The Falklands has been on FKST year-round since September 2010.{{big|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2011/03/31/falkland-islands-will-remain-on-summer-time-throughout-2011 |title=Falkland Islands will remain on summer time throughout 2011 |author= |date=31 March 2011 |newspaper=[[MercoPress]] |publisher= |accessdate=4 February 2012}}</ref>}}

}}

<!-- READ THIS FIRST!

The first sentence has been established as a compromise consensus between many editors in a long and difficult discussion (see talk page). Trying to change the sentence will be reverted on sight without discussion by many of the editors part of the discussion. If you have overriding NEW arguments, please bring them to the talk page first!

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The '''Falkland Islands''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|ɔː|l|k|l|ən|d}}; {{lang-es|Islas Malvinas}}) are an [[archipelago]] located in the South [[Atlantic Ocean]] on the [[Patagonian Shelf]]. The principal islands are about {{convert|500|km|abbr=off|disp=flip}} east of the [[Patagonia]]n coast at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago which has an area of {{convert|12173|sqkm|abbr=off|disp=flip}} comprises [[East Falkland]], [[West Falkland]] and 776 smaller islands. As a [[British Overseas Territories|British Overseas Territory]], the islands enjoy a large degree of [[self-governing|internal self-governance]] with the [[United Kingdom]] guaranteeing good government and taking responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The islands' capital is [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]] on East Falkland.

Controversy exists over the Falklands' original discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had [[France|French]], [[Great Britain|British]], [[Spain|Spanish]], and [[Argentina|Argentine]] settlements. Britain [[Reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (1833)|re-established its rule in 1833]], though the islands continue to be [[Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute|claimed]] by Argentina. In 1982, following Argentina's [[1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands|invasion of the islands]], the two-month-long undeclared [[Falklands War]] between both countries resulted in the surrender of all Argentine forces and the return of the islands to British administration.

The population, estimated at 2,932 in 2012, primarily consists of native [[Falkland Islanders]], the majority of British descent. Other ethnicities include French, [[Gibraltarian people|Gibraltarian]], and [[Scandinavia]]n. Immigration from the United Kingdom, [[Saint Helena]], and [[Chile]] has reversed a former population decline. The predominant and official language is English. Under the [[British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983|British Nationality Act of 1983]], Falkland Islanders are legally [[British nationality law|British citizens]].

The islands lie on the boundary of the [[Oceanic climate|subarctic and temperate maritime climate]] zones with both major islands having mountain ranges reaching to {{convert|700|m|ft|disp=flip}}. The islands are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on the main islands because of the effects of introduced species. Major economic activities include [[fishery|fishing]], [[tourism]], sheep farming with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports, and oil exploration. Oil exploration, licensed by the [[Falkland Islands Government]], remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina.

==Etymology==

{{see also|List of Falkland Islands placenames}}

The Falkland Islands are named after the [[Falkland Sound]], a [[strait]] that separates the archipelago's two main islands.{{sfn|Jones|2009|p=73}} The name "Falkland" was applied to the channel by [[John Strong]], the captain of an [[Kingdom of England|English]] expedition that landed on the islands in 1690. Strong named the strait in honor of [[Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount of Falkland]], the [[Treasurer of the Navy]] who had sponsored the long journey.{{sfn|Dotan|2010|p=165}}{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}} The Viscount's title in turn comes from the town of [[Falkland, Fife|Falkland]], [[Scotland]], whose name comes from the term "folkland" (meaning land held by [[Anglo-Saxon law|folkright]]).{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}} Nevertheless, the name would not be applied to the islands until 1765, when [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] admiral [[John Byron]] claimed them for [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]] as "Falkland's Islands".{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}}{{sfn|Paine|2000|p=45}}

The Spanish name for the archipelago, ''Islas Malvinas'', comes from the French ''Îles Malouines'', the name given to the islands by [[Kingdom of France|French]] explorer [[Louis-Antoine de Bougainville]] in 1764.{{sfn|Hince|2001|p=121}} Bougainville, who founded the islands' first settlement, named the area after the port of [[Saint-Malo]], the point of departure for his ships and colonists.{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}}{{sfn|Hince|2001|p=121}} The port, located in the [[Brittany]] region of western France, was in turn named after [[Malo (saint)|St. Malo]] (or Maclou), the Christian [[Evangelism|evangelist]] who founded the city.{{sfn|Balmaceda|2011|p=Chapter 36}}

The [[United Nations]] uses both the Spanish and English names "when referring to the islands";{{sfn|Osmańczyk|2003|p=1373}} its official designation for the territory is "Falkland Islands (Malvinas)".<ref name=std_name>{{cite web | url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49alpha.htm | title= Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications | publisher=United Nations Statistics Division | date=13 February 2013 | accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref>

==History==

{{main|History of the Falkland Islands|Timeline of the history of the Falkland Islands}}

While [[Amerindian]]s from [[Patagonia]] could have visited the Falklands,<ref>{{cite journal |author=G. Hattersley-Smith |year=1983 |month=June |title=Fuegian Indians in the Falkland Islands |journal=Polar Record |volume=21 |issue=135 |pages=605–606 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |doi=10.1017/S003224740002204X |accessdate=1 February 2012 |url=http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=C6D4151001DCF6AE8937B936C8FDCC62.journals?fromPage=online&aid=5400340 |quote=}}</ref> the islands were uninhabited when discovered by Europeans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Falkland-Islands.html |title=Culture of Falkland Islands – history, people, clothing, beliefs, food, life, immigrants, population, religion |accessdate=17 March 2011}}</ref> Controversy exists as to who first discovered the Falkland Islands with competing [[Portugal|Portuguese]], Spanish, and British claims dating back to the 16th century.<ref name=FI-H-00>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2012/feb/02/who-first-owned-falkland-islands? |title=Who first owned the Falkland Islands? |publisher=The Guardian |date= 2 February 2012 |accessdate=11 February 2012}}</ref><ref>[[#Goebel|Goebel, 1971]], pp.&nbsp;xiv–xv</ref> Although the islands may have been sighted and named by English explorers in two independent occasions in 1592 and 1594,{{efn-ua|British toponymist [[Adrian Room]] claims that "[t]he islands' original name was ''Davis Land'', for their discoverer [John Davis] in 1592." He further adds that, in 1594, Sir [[Richard Hawkins]] named them ''Hawkins Maidenland'' "in honor of [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]], the Virgin ('Maiden') Queen."{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}}}} and likely discovered and named "Sebald Islands" (or "Sebaldines") by [[Dutch Republic|Dutch]] seafarer [[Sebald de Weert]] in 1600,{{efn-ua|Historian Bernadette Hince asserts that "[t]he first definite sighting of the islands was in about 1600, by the Dutch navigator Sebald de Weert."{{sfn|Hince|2001|p=121}} Historian [[John Dunmore]] also supports this idea and further contends that "they appeared under this name [Sebald Islands] on Dutch maps, and their existence was confirmed in 1614 by the expedition of [[Willem Schouten]] and [[Jacob Le Maire]]."{{sfn|Dunmore|2005|p=93}}}} no clear consensus exists in [[academia]] "if any of them actually located the Falklands or other south Atlantic islands".<ref>{{cite web | author=Michael White | title=Who first owned the Falkland Islands?| publisher=[[The Guardian]]| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2012/feb/02/who-first-owned-falkland-islands?| date=2 Feruary 2012 |accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref>

In 1690, Captain [[John Strong (mariner)|John Strong]] of the ''Welfare'' en route to [[Puerto Deseado]] was driven off course and reached the Falkland Islands instead, landing at Bold Cove.<ref name="Falklands_Info">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history1.html |title=The Discovery of the Falkland Islands |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> In 1764, [[France|French navigator]] and military commander [[Louis Antoine de Bougainville]] founded the first settlement on Berkeley Sound, in present-day [[Port Louis, Falkland Islands|Port Louis]], [[East Falkland]].<ref>[[#Goebel|Goebel, 1971]], pp.&nbsp;226</ref> In 1765, British captain [[John Byron]] explored and claimed [[Saunders Island, Falkland Islands|Saunders Island]] on [[West Falkland]], where he named the harbour [[Port Egmont]] and a settlement was constructed in 1766.<ref>[[#Goebel|Goebel, 1971]], pp.&nbsp;232,269</ref> Unaware of the French presence, Byron claimed the island group for [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]]. Spain acquired the French colony in 1767, and placed it under a governor subordinate to the [[Governorate of the Río de la Plata#Buenos Aires Province governors|Buenos Aires colonial administration]].<ref name="briefhistory2">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history2.html |title=A brief history of the Falkland Islands Part 2 – Fort St. Louis and Port Egmont |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=8 September 2007}}</ref>

In 1770, Spain [[Capture of Port Egmont|attacked Port Egmont]] and expelled the British presence, [[Falklands Crisis (1770)|bringing the two countries to the brink of war]]. War was avoided by a peace treaty and the British return to Port Egmont.<ref name="briefhistory2">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history2.html |title=A brief history of the Falkland Islands Part 2 – Fort St. Louis and Port Egmont |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=8 September 2007}}</ref> In 1774, economic pressures leading up to the [[American Revolutionary War]] forced Great Britain to withdraw from many overseas settlements.<ref name="briefhistory2"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/timeline.html |title=Falkland Islands Timeline: A chronology of events in the history of the Falkland Islands |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=25 August 2011}}</ref> Upon withdrawal, the British left behind a [[commemorative plaque|plaque]] asserting Britain's continued claim. Spain maintained its governor until 1806 who, on his departure, left behind a plaque asserting Spanish claims. The remaining settlers were withdrawn in 1811.<ref name="briefhistory2"/>

In 1820, storm damage forced the [[privateer]] ''[[Heroína (ship)|Heroína]]'' to take shelter in the islands.<ref name="Tatham pp. 308-309">[[#Tatham|Tatham, 2008]], pp.&nbsp;308–309</ref> Her captain [[David Jewett]] raised the flag of the [[United Provinces of the River Plate]] and read a proclamation claiming the islands.<ref name="Tatham pp. 308-309"/> This became public knowledge in [[Buenos Aires]] nearly a year later after the proclamation was published in the ''Salem Gazette''.<ref name="Tatham pp. 308-309"/> After several failures, [[Luis Vernet]] established a settlement in 1828 with authorisation from the Republic of Buenos Aires and from Great Britain.<ref name="Tatham">{{cite book |chapter=Luis Vernet |last=Peter Pepper |first=Graham Pascoe |editor=David Tatham |title=The Dictionary of Falklands Biography (Including South Georgia): From Discovery Up to 1981 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0D0VNAAACAAJ |year=2008 |publisher=D. Tatham |isbn=978-0-9558985-0-1 |pages=540–546}}</ref> In 1829, after asking for help from Buenos Aires, he was instead proclaimed Military and Civil Commander of the islands.<ref name="Tatham"/> Additionally, Vernet asked the British to protect his settlement if they returned.<ref>{{cite book |author=Mary Cawkell |title=The history of the Falkland Islands |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YG8VAAAACAAJ |year=2001 |publisher=Anthony Nelson |isbn=978-0-904614-55-8 |page=50}} "On this visit he met Woodbine Parish who expressed great interest in his venture and asked Vernet to prepare a full report on the islands to submit to the British government. On his side Vernet expressed the wish that, in the event of the British returning to the islands, HMG would take his settlement under their protection."</ref>

[[File:Lt. Lowcay, View of the Harbor of Port Louis - Berkley Sound, East Falkland.jpg|thumb|250px|left|View of Port Louis, probably 1838 or 1839.<ref>The date of this picture is unknown, but the artist, Lt Lowcay, was the offical British resident in the islands from 1838 to 1839 (see {{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history3.html |work=A Brief History of the Falkland Islands |title=Part 33 - Louis Vernet: The Great Entrepreneur |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=28 November 2012}}).</ref>]]

A dispute over fishing and hunting rights resulted in a raid by the [[United States Navy|US]] warship [[USS Lexington (1825)|USS ''Lexington'']] in 1831.<ref name="Tatham pp. 544">{{cite book |chapter=Luis Vernet |last=Peter Pepper |first=Graham Pascoe |editor=David Tatham |title=The Dictionary of Falklands Biography (Including South Georgia): From Discovery Up to 1981 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0D0VNAAACAAJ |year=2008 |publisher=D. Tatham |isbn=978-0-9558985-0-1 |pages=541–544}}</ref><ref name="briefhistory3">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history3.html |title=A brief history of the Falkland Islands Part 3 |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=14 May 2011}}</ref> The log of the ''Lexington'' reports only the destruction of arms and a powder store, but [[Luis Vernet#Vernet's role in the dispute over the Falkland Islands|Vernet]] made a claim for compensation from the US Government stating that the settlement was destroyed.<ref name="Tatham pp. 544"/> (Compensation was rejected by the US Government of President Cleveland in 1885.) ''Lexington''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> Captain declared the islands "free from all government", and the seven senior members of the settlement were arrested for piracy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ussduncan.org/silas_page13.htm |title=Silas Duncan and the Falklands' Incident |publisher=USS Duncan Reunion Association |year=2001 |accessdate=25 August 2011 |quote=The letters show that the USS Lexington, under the command of Silas Duncan, visited the Falklands in December, 1831, to investigate complaints by American fishermen that a "band of pirates" was operating from the islands. After finding what he considered proof that at least four American fishing ships had been captured, plundered, and even outfitted for war, Duncan took seven prisoners aboard Lexington and charged them with piracy. The leaders of the prisoners was Louis Vernet, a German, and Matthew Brisbane, an Englishman both of Buenos Aries.}}</ref> and taken to [[Montevideo]],<ref name="briefhistory3"/> where they were released without charge on the orders of Commodore Rogers.<ref>[[#Tatham|Tatham, 2008]], pp.&nbsp;117</ref>

In November 1832, Argentina sent Commander Mestivier as an interim commander to found a penal settlement, but he was killed in a [[mutiny]] after four days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Historical_Dates.html |title=Historical Dates |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=20 December 2010}}</ref> The following January, British forces returned and requested the Argentine garrison leave. Don Pinedo, captain of the ARA ''Sarandi'' and senior officer present, protested but ultimately complied. Vernet's settlement continued, with the [[Ireland|Irishman]] [[William Dickson (Falklands)|William Dickson]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irlandeses.org/fmi.htm |title=The Irish in Falkland/Malvinas Islands |publisher=[[Society for Irish Latin American Studies]] |author=Edmundo Murray |accessdate=28 March 2012 |date=1 November 2005}}</ref> tasked with raising the British flag for passing ships.<ref>[[s:Charles Darwin in the Falklands, 1833|Charles Darwin in the Falklands, 1833 (Extracts from Darwin's Diary)]]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=EHBeagleDiary&viewtype=text&pageseq=304|title=Darwin's Beagle Diary (1831–1836) |page=304 |publisher=The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online |accessdate=23 July 2007}}</ref> Vernet's deputy, [[Matthew Brisbane]], returned and was encouraged by the British to continue the enterprise. The settlement continued until August 1833, when the leaders were killed in the so-called [[Antonio Rivero|Gaucho murders]]. Subsequently, from 1834 the islands were governed as a British naval station until 1840 when the British Government decided to establish a permanent colony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history4.html |title=A Brief History of the Falkland Islands, Part 4 – The British Colonial Era |accessdate=2 September 2011 |last=Lewis |first=Jason |coauthors=Alison Inglis |quote=In 1839 a British merchant adventurer, G.T. Whittington, formed the Falkland Islands Commercial Fishery and Agricultural Association and tried to put pressure on the British government to proceed with the colonisation of the Falkland Islands. He published a leaflet entitled 'The Falkland Islands' containing material acquired indirectly from Vernet, and then presented to the government a petition signed by owner a hundred London merchants, shipowners and traders demanding that a public meeting be held to discuss the future of the Falkland Islands. In April 1840 he wrote to the Colonial Secretary, Lord Russell, proposing that the islands be colonised by his Association. In May the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners decided that the Falkland Islands were suitable for colonisation.}}</ref>

[[File:Cfbattlepainting.jpg|right|thumb|Naval confrontation during the 1914 Battle of the Falkland Islands. Painting by [[William Lionel Wyllie]].]]

A new harbour was built in Stanley,<ref>[[#Tatham|Tatham, 2008]], pp.&nbsp;382</ref> and the islands became a strategic point for navigation around [[Cape Horn]]. A [[World War I]] naval battle, the [[Battle of the Falkland Islands]], took place in December 1914, with a British victory over the smaller [[Imperial German]] Asiatic Fleet.<ref>[[#Tatham|Tatham, 2008]], pp.&nbsp;510–511</ref> During [[World War II]], Stanley served as a Royal Navy station and serviced ships which took part in the 1939 [[Battle of the River Plate]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Navy-c4.html |title=CHAPTER 4 — The Battle of the River Plate |publisher=New Zealand Electronic Texts Centre |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref>

Sovereignty over the islands again became an issue in the second half of the 20th century, when Argentina saw the creation of the [[United Nations]] as an opportunity to pursue its claim. Talks between British and Argentine foreign missions took place in the 1960s, but failed to come to any meaningful conclusion. A major sticking point in all the negotiations was that the inhabitants preferred that the islands remain British territory.<ref name="claim">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history5.html |title=A Brief History of the Falkland Islands Part 5 – The Argentine Claim |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref>

A result of these talks was the establishment of the islands' first air link. In 1971, the Argentine state airline [[LADE]] began a service between [[Comodoro Rivadavia]] and Stanley. A temporary strip was followed by the construction of a permanent airfield and flights between Stanley and Comodoro Rivadavia continued until 1982.<ref name="LADE">{{cite web |url=http://www1.hcdn.gov.ar/proyxml/expediente.asp?fundamentos=si&numexp=4812-D-2006 |title=Líneas Aéreas Del Estado, LADE |publisher=Argentine National Congress, Chamber of Deputies |language=Spanish |date=25 August 2006 |accessdate=25 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="Albatross">{{cite web |url=http://www.asociacionatta.com.ar/aviones/avion30.htm |title=Grumman HU-16B Albatross |publisher=Asociación Tripulantes de Transporte Aéreo |language=Spanish |accessdate=25 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="FAA">{{cite web |url=http://www.asociacionatta.com.ar/aviones/avion23.htm |title=Fokker F-27 Troopship y Friendship |publisher=Asociación Tripulantes de Transporte Aéreo |language=Spanish |accessdate=25 August 2011}}</ref> Further agreements gave [[YPF]], the Argentine national oil and gas company, a monopoly over the supply of the islands' energy needs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history5.html |title=A Brief History of the Falkland Islands, Part 5 – The Argentine Claim |accessdate=2 September 2011 |last=Lewis |first=Jason |coauthors=Alison Inglis |quote=In 1974 Britain and Argentina agreed that the islands would be supplied with petrol, diesel and oil by YPF, the Argentine State Oil Company, at mainland rates. Again, Islanders objected, increasingly uncomfortable at their economic dependence on Argentina.}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]'' in its obituary of [[Rex Hunt (governor)|Rex Hunt]] states that it was generally accepted by the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|Foreign Office]] that when Hunt was appointed governor part of his brief was "to ''soften up'' the island's 1800 inhabitants to the idea that British sovereignty could not be taken as given in perpetuity". In his first dispatch back to the Foreign Office he wrote "There is no way we will convince these islanders that they will be better off as part of Argentina".<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |page=53 |title=Obituaries: Sir Rex Hunt |date=13 November 2012}}</ref>

===Falklands War and its aftermath===

{{main|Falklands War}}

[[File:Argentine POWs guarded by 2 Para.jpg|thumb|left|British [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|paratroopers]] guard Argentine [[prisoners of war]].]]

On 2 April 1982, Argentina [[1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands|invaded the Falkland Islands]] and [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|other British territories]] in the South Atlantic. By exploiting the long-standing feelings of Argentines towards the islands, the nation's ruling [[National Reorganization Process|military junta]] sought to divert public attention from Argentina's [[National Reorganization Process#Economic policies|poor economic performance]] and growing internal opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.me.gov.ar/curriform/publica/sirlin_conv_dictadura.pdf |title=Las convocatorias nacionales de la última dictadura |publisher=Ministerio de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología de la Nación |language=Spanish |date=18 September 2006 |accessdate=23 August 2011 |page=6}}</ref> The United Kingdom's reduction of military capacity in the South Atlantic is considered to have encouraged the invasion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guide to the conflict |work=Fight for the Falklands—20 years on |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/uk/2002/falklands/guide2.stm |quote=The Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, and two junior ministers had resigned by the end of the week <nowiki>[following the Argentine invasion]</nowiki>. They took the blame for Britain's poor preparations and plans to decommission HMS ''Endurance'', the Navy's only Antarctic patrol vessel. It was a move which may have lead <nowiki>[sic]</nowiki> the Junta to believe the UK had little interest in keeping the Falklands. |accessdate=18 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Secret Falklands fleet revealed |publisher=BBC News |quote=Lord Owen, who was foreign secretary in 1977, said that if Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government had taken similar action to that of five years earlier, the war would not have happened. |date=1 June 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4597581.stm |accessdate=18 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Casciani |first=Dominic |title=1976 Falklands invasion warning |publisher=BBC News |quote=The Franks Report into the eventual war noted that as tension mounted during 1977, the government covertly sent a small naval force to the islands—but did not repeat the move when relations worsened again in 1981–2. This has led some critics to blame prime minister Margaret Thatcher for the war, saying the decision to plan the withdrawal of the only naval vessel in the area sent the wrong signal to the military junta in Buenos Aires. |date=29 December 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6213121.stm |accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref>

On 3 April 1982, the [[United Nations Security Council]] issued [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 502|Resolution 502]], calling on Argentina to withdraw forces from the islands and for both parties to seek a diplomatic solution.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historycentral.com/HistoricalDocuments/UNReso502.html |title=UN Resolution 502 |publisher=Historycentral.com |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> International reaction ranged from support for Argentina in most of [[Latin America]], to opposition in the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] and most of [[Western Europe]]. Chile was the only Latin American country that provided overt support to the British by allowing ports of call and airport logistics. In contrast, Peru was the only Latin American country that provided war material to the Argentinian military, including [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage]] aircraft, parts, and [[Exocet]] missiles. A divided United States administration, initially publicly neutral, eventually came out in support of the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web1.millercenter.org/poh/falklands/transcripts/falklands_2003_0515.pdf |title=The Falklands Roundtable |publisher=Miller Center, University of Virginia |date=16 May 2003 |accessdate=3 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Peter |last=Gold |title=Gibraltar, British or Spanish? |publisher=Routledge |year=2005 |isbn=0-415-34795-5 |url=http://books.google.es/books?id=u9YH_fLPu1MC&lpg=PA37&vq=Falklands&hl=es&pg=PA39 |page=39}}</ref>

The United Kingdom sent an [[Expeditionary warfare|expeditionary force]] to retake the islands. After short but fierce naval and air battles, the British forces landed at [[San Carlos Water]] on 21 May, and a land campaign followed leading to the British taking the high ground surrounding Stanley on 11 June. The Argentine forces surrendered on 14 June 1982. The war resulted in the deaths of 255 British and 649 Argentine soldiers, sailors and airmen, as well as 3 civilian Falklanders.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/Falklands25BackgroundBriefing.htm |title=Falklands 25: Background Briefing |work=Defence Factsheet |publisher=United Kingdom Ministry of Defence |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref>

After the war, the British increased their military presence on the islands, constructing [[RAF Mount Pleasant]] and increasing the military garrison.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/uk/2002/falklands/guide7.stm |title=Guide to the conflict |work=Fight for the Falklands – Twenty Years On |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=23 August 2011}}</ref> Although the United Kingdom and Argentina resumed diplomatic relations in 1990, no further negotiations on sovereignty have taken place.<ref name="Briefing papers"/> It is believed that 19,000 Argentine [[land mine]]s<ref>[http://en.mercopress.com/2011/12/08/falklands-land-mine-clearance-set-to-enter-a-new-expanded-phase-in-early-2012] ''Falklands' land mine clearance set to enter a new expanded phase in early 2012'', Mercopress, 8 December 2011</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/05/17/falklands-recover-370-hectares-of-stanley-common-made-minefields-in-1982-by-argentine-forces |title=Falklands recover 370 hectares of Stanley Common made minefields in 1982 by Argentine forces |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=17 May 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Merco Press, Montevideo |accessdate=6 January 2013}}</ref> across an area of 13 square kilometres remain from the 1982 war dispersed in a number of minefields around Stanley, Port Howard, Fox Bay and Goose Green.<ref name="Landmine Monitor">{{cite web |url=http://www.the-monitor.org/index.php/cp/display/region_profiles/theme/1785 |title=Falklands/Malvinas |publisher=International Campaign to Ban Landmines |work=Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor |date=19 September 2011 |accessdate=27 July 2010}}</ref> Information is available from the [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal]] Operation Centre in Stanley.<ref name="Landmine Monitor"/> In 2009, mine clearance began at Surf Bay, and clearances took place at Sapper Hill, Goose Green and Fox Bay. Further clearance work was due to begin in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2011/02/12/falklands-minefield-clearance-next-phase-moves-to-the-capital-stanley-common |title=Falklands' minefield clearance next phase moves to the capital Stanley Common |accessdate =28 March 2011 |date=12 February 2011 |publisher=Mercopress}}</ref>

== Government ==

{{main|Politics of the Falkland Islands}}

[[File:Falkland Islands - Governor's House.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Government House, Falkland Islands|Government House]] of the Falkland Islands is the Governor's [[official residence]].]]

The Falkland Islands are a self-governing [[British Overseas Territory]].{{sfn|Cahill|2010|p="Falkland Islands"}} Under the [[Falkland Islands Constitution|2009 Constitution]], the islands have greater democratic autonomy, "while retaining sufficient powers for the UK Government to protect UK interests and to ensure the overall good governance of the territory".<ref name="Constitution">{{cite news |title=New Year begins with a new Constitution for the Falklands |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2009/01/01/new-year-begins-with-a-new-constitution-for-the-falklands |publisher=MercoPress |date=1 January 2009 | accessdate=9 July 2013}}</ref> The [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch of the United Kingdom]] is the [[head of state]], but [[Executive (government)|executive authority]] is exercised on the monarch's behalf by the [[Governor of the Falkland Islands]]. The islands' [[Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands|Chief Executive]], appointed by the Governor, is the [[head of government]].<ref name=constitutiontext>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/2846/pdfs/uksi_20082846_en.pdf|title=The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008 |publisher=The Queen in Council |date=5 November 2008 |accessdate=9 July 2013}}</ref> The islands' current Governor, [[Nigel Haywood]], was appointed on October 2010;{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Government"}} the current Chief Executive, [[Keith Padgett]], was appointed on March 2012.<ref name="Padgett">{{cite news |title=Keith Padgett, first Falklands’ government CE recruited in the Islands |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/03/07/keith-padgett-first-falklands-government-ce-recruited-in-the-islands |publisher=MercoPress |date=7 March 2012 | accessdate=9 July 2013}}</ref>

The Governor acts on the advice of the islands' [[Executive Council of the Falkland Islands|Executive Council]], composed by the Chief Executive, the [[Director of Finance of the Falkland Islands|Director of Finance]], three elected members of the [[Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands|Legislative Assembly]], and the Governor as chairman.<ref name=constitutiontext/> The Legislative Assembly, a [[Unicameralism|unicameral legislature]], consists of the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance, and eight members (five from [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]] and three from [[Camp (Falkland Islands)|Camp]]) elected for four-year terms by [[universal suffrage]].<ref name=constitutiontext/> All politicians in the Falkland Islands are [[Independent (politician)|independents]]; no [[Political party|political parties]] exist in the islands.{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Government"}}

The islands' judicial system, overseen by the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]], is largely based on [[English law|English statutory law]]. Crime control and prisons are under the responsibility of the [[Royal Falkland Islands Police]] (RFIP).{{sfn|Sainato|2010|pp=157-158}} [[Military of the Falkland Islands|Military defense]] of the islands is provided by the United Kingdom.{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Transportation"}} A British military garrison is stationed in the islands, and the Falkland Islands government funds an additional [[company (military unit)|company]]-sized [[light infantry]] [[Falkland Islands Defence Force|unit of defense]].<ref name=timesfidf>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7052002.ece |title=Falklands Defence Force better equipped than ever, says commanding officer |date=6 March 2010 |last=Fletcher |first=Martin |newspaper=The Times |accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>

=== Sovereignty dispute ===

{{main|Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute}}

[[File:Malvinas cartel - Puerto Iguazú.jpg|thumb|left|A sign in Argentina proclaims "The Malvinas are Argentine". Signs like this exist throughout Argentina.]]

The United Kingdom and Argentina both claim ownership for the Falkland Islands. The UK bases its position on continuous administration of the islands since 1833 (apart from [[Argentine occupation of the Falkland Islands|1982]]) and the islanders having a "right to self determination, including their right to remain British if that is their wish".<ref name=FCO>{{cite web |url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/south-america/falkland-islands/ |title=Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory) |publisher=United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office |work=Travel & living abroad |accessdate=17 May 2011}}</ref> Argentina posits that it gained the Falkland Islands from Spain, upon becoming [[Argentine Declaration of Independence|independent]] from it in 1816, and that the UK illegally occupied them in 1833.<ref name=RIS>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.ar/portal/seree/malvinas/homeing.html |title=Argentina’s Position on Different Aspects of the Question of the Malvinas Islands |publisher=Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores}}</ref>

The present dispute began in 1945, shortly after the formation of the United Nations, when Argentina reasserted its claim of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and its [[Falkland Islands Dependencies|dependencies]] (primarily South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands).<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110606073350/http://www.raf.mod.uk/falklands/preface.html |archivedate=6 June 2011 |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/falklands/preface.html |work=The Falkland Islands – A history of the 1982 conflict |title=Preface to a conflict |publisher=Royal Air Force |accessdate=6 February 2012}}</ref> In 1964, the United Nations passed a [[UN General Assembly Resolution|resolution]] calling on the UK and Argentina to proceed with negotiations over the sovereignty dispute.<ref name="UN2065">[http://www.falklands.info/history/resolution2065.html United Nations Resolution 2065, ''Question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)'']. Falkland Islands Information Portal.</ref>

Later that decade, intending to improve its relations with South America by transferring the Falkland Islands (with provisions to protect the islanders' way of life), the United Kingdom secretly discussed the subject with Argentina. However, when the news became public, the Falklanders protested against the plans. As a result, the UK increased its focus on the Islanders' [[self-determination]]; Argentina disagreed, and negotiations effectively remained at a stalemate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1987/CRD.htm |title=<nowiki>The Argentine Seizure Of The Malvinas [Falkland] Islands: History and Diplomacy</nowiki> |last=Chenette |first=Richard D |date=4 May 1987 |publisher=Marine Corps Staff and Command College}}</ref><ref name="GrahamBound">Bound, Graham. ''Falkland Islanders at War'', Pen & Swords Ltd, 2002 ISBN 1-84415-429-7</ref> Subsequent talks between the two nations took place until 1981, but they failed to reach a conclusion on sovereignty.<ref name="Guardian">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/falklands/story/0,,1516277,00.html UK held secret talks to cede sovereignty]. ''The Guardian''. 28 June 2005. Retrieved on 20 November 2011.</ref>

Diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Argentina, which were severed at the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982, were re-established in 1990.<ref name="Briefing papers">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN05602.pdf |title=Argentina and the Falkland Islands |publisher=House of Commons Library |date=22 June 2010 |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref> In 2007, Argentina reasserted its claim over the Falkland Islands, asking for the UK to resume talks on sovereignty.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina Reasserts Claim to Falkland Islands |date=3 January 2007 |publisher=Voice of America |url=http://voanews.com/english/archive/2007-01/2007-01-03-voa29.cfm |work=VOA News |pages= |accessdate=3 January 2009}}{{dead link|date=February 2012}}</ref> In 2009, British prime minister [[Gordon Brown]] met with Argentine president [[Cristina Fernández de Kirchner]] and declared that there would be no talks over the future sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.<ref name="Vinadelmar">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7969463.stm |title=No talks on Falklands, says Brown |publisher=BBC News |date=28 March 2009 |accessdate=11 February 2012}}</ref> As far as the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands are concerned, no pending issue to resolve exists.<ref name="Leonard">{{cite news |title=Falkland Islands: Argentina can't scare us, say islanders |last=Leonard |first=Tom |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/7287195/Falkland-Islands-Argentina-cant-scare-us-say-islanders.html |date=22 February 2010 |accessdate=13 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/28/falkland-islands-sovereignty-argentina |title=Falkland Islands sovereignty talks out of the question, says Gordon Brown |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 March 2009 |accessdate=29 April 2009 |first=Nicholas |last=Watt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/overview.php |title=Falkland Islands Government Overview |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref>

Modern Falkland Islanders continue to reject the Argentine sovereignty claim. In 2010, Falklands [[correspondent]] Tom Leonard of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', wrote that "The 3,000-strong community is already proudly British [...]. The younger islanders may not share the older generation’s memories but there is clearly no love lost with the Argentines among them."<ref name="Leonard"/> On 10 and 11 March 2013, the Falkland Islands held a [[Falkland Islands sovereignty referendum, 2013|referendum]] over its political status, and voters favoured (99.8%) remaining under British rule.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21731760 |title=Falklands referendum: Islanders vote on British status.|publisher=BBC |date=10 March 2013 |accessdate=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="">{{cite news

| last= Brindicci and Bustamante

| first=Marcos and Juan

| url= http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/12/us-falklands-referendum-idUSBRE92B02T20130312

| title=Falkland Islanders vote overwhelmingly to keep British rule

| publisher= Reuters

| date=12 March 2013

| accessdate=12 March 2013}}</ref>

Contemporary Argentine policy maintains the position that modern Falkland Islanders do not have a right to self-determination. Argentina claims that, in 1833, the UK expelled Argentine authorities and settlers from the Falklands with a threat of "greater force" and that the UK afterwards barred Argentines from resettling the islands.<ref name="RIS"/><ref name="Reisman1983">{{cite book |author=Reisman, W. Michael |title=The struggle for the Falklands |url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/ylr93&div=24&collection=journals&set_as_cursor=41&men_tab=srchresults |year=1983 |publisher=The Yale Law Journal |page=306}}</ref> Argentina reiterated its position towards the Falklanders in 2012, after a meeting of the UN Decolonization Committee, when its representatives refused to accept a letter from the Falkland Islands offering the opening of direct talks between both governments.<ref>[http://en.mercopress.com/2012/06/15/summers-invites-argentina-to-sit-down-and-enter-into-a-dialogue-with-the-people-of-the-falklands] Summers invites Argentina to sit down and enter into a dialogue with the people of the Falklands</ref> Moreover, in 2013, Argentina [[Falkland Islands sovereignty referendum, 2013#Announcement and responses|dismissed]] the Falkland Islands' sovereignty referendum. Argentina only recognises the UK government as a legitimate partner in negotiations;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/12/falkland-islands-referendum-votes-yes|title=Falkland Islands: respect overwhelming 'yes' vote, Cameron tells Argentina|publisher=The Guardian|date=12 March 2013|accessdate=12 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://noticias.terra.com/eeuu/malvinas-canciller-argentino-no-acepta-carta-de-los-islenos-afp,f757ebc82ece7310VgnVCM10000098cceb0aRCRD.html| title=Canciller argentino no acepta carta de los isleños |publisher=Terra |date=14 June 2012 |accessdate=27 November 2012}}</ref> and considers the islands, along with [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]], as part of the Islas del Atlántico Sur department of [[Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina|Tierra del Fuego]] province.<ref>[http://www2.tierradelfuego.gov.ar/institucional/provincializacion-tdf/provincializacion-tdf/ Ley Provincial (1990)], Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur</ref>

==Geography==

{{main|Geography of the Falkland Islands}}

[[File:Falkland Islands topographic map-en.svg|thumb|Map of the Falkland Islands.]]

The Falkland Islands are located in the [[South Atlantic Ocean]] on a projection of the [[Patagonian Shelf]] about {{convert|500|km|abbr=off|disp=flip}} east of the [[Patagonia]]n coastline and about {{convert|450|km|abbr=off|disp=flip}} north-east of the southerly tip of [[Tierra del Fuego]]. In ancient geological time, this shelf was part of [[Gondwana]], which, around 400 million years ago, broke from what is now Africa and drifted westwards relative to Africa.<ref name="epk">{{cite web |url=http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/Falkland%20Islands%20State%20of%20the%20Environment%20Report%202008_final_sm.pdf |title=Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 |last1=Otley |first1=Helen |last2=Munro |first2=Grant |last3=Clausen |first3=Andrea |last4=Ingham |first4=Becky |publisher=Environmental Planning Department Falkland Islands Government |date=May 2008 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref>

The Falklands, which have a total land area of {{convert|12173|sqkm|abbr=off|disp=flip}} and a [[coastline]] estimated at {{convert|3500|km|mi|disp=flip}}<ref name="EU">{{cite web |url=http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/maritime-boundaries/inventory_report/inventory_report/at_download/file |title=D2.1.1 Inventory Report |work=European Coastal Erosion database |publisher=European Commission |page=122 |year=2002 |first1=Hervé |last1=Pichon |first2=Nicolas |last2=Rolland |first3=Nadège |last3=Orlova |first4=Stéphane |last4=Lombardo |accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> comprise two main islands, [[West Falkland]] and [[East Falkland]] and about 776 smaller islands. The two principal islands lie between {{nowrap|51°15′ S}} and {{nowrap|52°25′ S}} and between {{nowrap|57°40′ W}} and {{nowrap|61°05′ W}}<ref>Measurements taken from [[Google Earth]].</ref> and are {{convert|220|km|mi|disp=flip}} from east to west and {{convert|140|km|mi|disp=flip}} from north to south.<ref name=IAWF/> They are heavily indented by sounds and [[fjord]]s and have many natural harbours.<ref name="islands">{{cite web |title=The Islands: Location |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Location.html |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> The two main islands are separated by the [[Falkland Sound]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/200784/Falkland-Sound |title=Falkland Sound |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> It is however believed that at times during the [[Pleistocene|Pleistocene era]], the seabed was some {{convert|46|m|ft}} lower than the present time&ndash;sufficient for the sound to be bridged.<ref>{{cite journal |title = New Evidence of Sea-level Changes in the Falkland Islands

|first1 = Raymond J

|last1 = Adie

|id = Scientific Report No 9

|publisher = Falkland Island Dependency Survey, Colonial Office

|year = 1953

|url = http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/documents/scientific_reports/rep009.zip

|at=Introduction

|accessdate = 17 May 2013}}</ref>

East Falkland, which contains the capital [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]] and the British military base at [[RAF Mount Pleasant|Mount Pleasant]], is the more populous of the two main islands.<ref name="Backgroundgeography">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/background/geography.html |title=Geography |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=24 July 2010}}</ref>

Both West Falkland and the northern part of East Falkland have [[mountain range]]s that are underlaid with [[Palaeozoic]] rock, which, as a result of secondary forces associated with [[continental drift]] are at 120° to each other.<ref name="seabirds">{{cite web |url=http://www.seabirds.org/data.htm |author=Mike Bingham |title=Falklands/Falkland Islands |publisher=International Penguin Conservation Work Group |accessdate=24 March 2011}}</ref> The highest point of the islands is [[Mount Usborne]], {{convert|705|m|ft|disp=flip}} on East Falkland, while [[Mount Adam, Falkland Islands|Mount Adam]] on West Falkland is only {{convert|5|m|ft|disp=flip}} lower.<ref name="Backgroundgeography"/>

The southern part of East Falkland, the Lafonia Peninsula, which is connected to the rest of the island by a {{convert|4|km|mi|disp=flip}} narrow isthmus, is dissimilar to the rest of the island. Most of Lafonia is a flat plain underlain by younger [[Mesozoic]] rock, but in the north west is [[Permian]] rock which is similar to that of parts of Ecca Pass in South Africa.<ref name="seabirds"/><ref name="Britlinks">{{cite web |url=http://www.britlink.org/eastfalkland.html |title=East Falkland Island |publisher=Britlink.org |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref>

===Climate===

{{main|Climate of the Falkland Islands}}

The Falkland Islands lie on the transition area between [[Oceanic climate|maritime subarctic]] climates ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''cfc'') and [[Polar climate|polar]] [[tundra climate]] (Köppen ''ET'') zones<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |title=Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification |first1=M. C. |last1=Peel |first2=B. L. |last2=Finlayson |first3=T. A. |last3=McMahon1 |journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. |number=11 |pages=1633–1644 |year=2007 |publisher=Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union |accessdate=18 November 2012}}</ref> that is very much influenced by the proximity of the [[Andes]], the cool [[Atlantic Ocean|South Atlantic]] ocean with its northerly Patagonian current and the [[Antarctic Peninsula]] land mass some {{convert|1100|km|disp=flip}} to the south<ref name=IAWF>{{cite web |url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met/momu/International_Antarctic_Weather_Forecasting_Handbook/7.2_Sub_Antarctic_Islands.php |title=Representative sub–Antarctic Islands: 7.2.1 - The Falkland Islands |work=The International Antarctic Weather Forecasting Handbook |publisher=[[British Antarctic Survey]] |first1=John |last1=Turner |first2=Steve |last2=Pendlebury |date=5 November 2008 |accessdate=12 June 2012}}</ref> giving the islands a narrow annual temperature range. The January average maximum temperature is about 15°C (59°F), and the July maximum average temperature is about 5°C (41°F). The average rainfall in Stanley is {{convert|604|mm}};<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falkland-islands.climatemps.com/ |title=Stanley, Falkland Islands |publisher=climatetemps.com |accessdate=10 July 2012}}</ref> in East Falkland as a whole it is {{convert|534|mm}}; and in West Falkland as a whole it is {{convert|555|mm}}; with the flat areas (and in particular [[Lafonia]], where the average annual rainfall falls to 400&nbsp;mm or lower) being much drier than the mountainous areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/10.0%20FI%20Climate%20Change%20Project.pdf |title=Climate Change in the Falkland Islands – A Project by the United Kingdom Falkland Islands Trust. |first=Jim |last=McAdam |publisher=United Kingdom Falkland Islands Trust |date=15 March 2012 |accessdate=14 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |url=http://www.newportminster.org/canon_stephen_palmer_thesis.php |type=Ph.D. |first=Stephen |last=Palmer |title=An account and appraisal of some aspects of the human involvement with the natural environment of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia |chapter=Section 3. Geography and climate |publisher=University of Portsmouth |date=June 2004}}</ref> [[Humidity]] and winds are however constantly high. Snow and sleet are frequent in winter, although snowfall is rarely deep. Gales are very frequent, particularly in winter.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/country_guides/newsid_9383000/9383965.stm |title=Falkland Islands |publisher=BBC News |date=22 March 2011 |accessdate=18 August 2011}}</ref>

Weather conditions are known to be extremely changeable, with it not being unusual to face all four seasons in one afternoon. The reason for this is the many wind directions resulting in many air masses mixing at the [[Drake Passage]], which is often an area of low pressures.

While being located as far south as the UK is north, the absence of a warming current like the [[Gulf Stream]] means temperatures are considerably colder than comparable areas in North West Europe. Weather forecasts are given by a local branch of the UK's [[Met Office]].<ref>{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3IIAx8hRnA&list=PL2766F789289DB6CA&index=6&feature=plcp |title=The Met Men of The Falkland Islands 13.06.12 – BFBS News |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2012-06-14 |accessdate=2013-01-04}}</ref>

{{clear}}

{{Weather box

|location = Stanley, Falkland Islands

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 29

|Feb record high C = 27

|Mar record high C = 26

|Apr record high C = 27

|May record high C = 18

|Jun record high C = 14

|Jul record high C = 13

|Aug record high C = 15

|Sep record high C = 22

|Oct record high C = 22

|Nov record high C = 23

|Dec record high C = 25

|Jan high C = 15

|Feb high C = 15

|Mar high C = 13

|Apr high C = 9

|May high C =6

|Jun high C = 5

|Jul high C = 5

|Aug high C = 5

|Sep high C = 7

|Oct high C = 10

|Nov high C = 13

|Dec high C = 14

|Jan low C = 7

|Feb low C = 7

|Mar low C = 6

|Apr low C = 4

|May low C = 2

|Jun low C = 0

|Jul low C = 0

|Aug low C = 1

|Sep low C = 1

|Oct low C = 3

|Nov low C = 5

|Dec low C = 6

|Jan record low C = 0

|Feb record low C = 0

|Mar record low C = −1

|Apr record low C = −3

|May record low C = −6

|Jun record low C = −10

|Jul record low C = −10

|Aug record low C = −8

|Sep record low C = −10

|Oct record low C = −6

|Nov record low C = −2

|Dec record low C = −2

|Jan precipitation mm = 56

|Feb precipitation mm = 54

|Mar precipitation mm = 53

|Apr precipitation mm = 48

|May precipitation mm = 45

|Jun precipitation mm = 42

|Jul precipitation mm = 42

|Aug precipitation mm = 28

|Sep precipitation mm = 32

|Oct precipitation mm = 30

|Nov precipitation mm = 29

|Dec precipitation mm = 50

|Jan precipitation days = 24

|Feb precipitation days = 20

|Mar precipitation days = 23

|Apr precipitation days = 24

|May precipitation days = 26

|Jun precipitation days = 22

|Jul precipitation days = 23

|Aug precipitation days = 22

|Sep precipitation days = 21

|Oct precipitation days = 21

|Nov precipitation days = 21

|Dec precipitation days = 23

|source 1 = Weather2<ref name="BBC Weather">{{cite web |url=http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Falkland-Islands/Stanley/climate-profile.aspx |title=Country Overview For Falkland Islands |accessdate=27 November 2012 |publisher=Weather2 |date=June 2011}}</ref>

|date = August 2010

}}

==Biodiversity==

{{main|Wildlife of the Falkland Islands}}

[[File:Necksaundersisland2.jpg|thumb|left|Penguins at [[Saunders Island]].]]

[[Biogeography|Biogeographically]], the Falkland Islands are classified as part of the [[Antarctic ecozone]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/udvardy.pdf |title=A Classification of the Biogeographical Provinces of the World |pages=37–38 |author=Miklos D F Udvardy |publisher=IUCN |year=1975 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> and [[Antarctic Floristic Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.iscv.cl/pdfs/PDFSeminars/BioGeografia/Bibliografia/IIFundamentosteoricosymetodosBiog/2bVicarianzadispersionBiogeograf/BIOGEO2.PDF |title=The biogeographic regions reconsidered |page=518 |author=C Barry Cox |journal=Journal of Biogeography |volume=28 |year=2001 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2012}}</ref> Strong connections exist with the flora and fauna of [[Patagonia]] in South America.<ref name="epk"/> The only terrestrial mammal upon the arrival of Europeans was the [[warrah]], a fox-like canid found on both major islands.<ref name="Britlinks"/><ref name="Darwin1839">{{citation |author=Waterhouse, George R |authorlink=George Robert Waterhouse |chapter-url=http://archive.org/stream/NHM_UK_L_3967751001#page/n255/mode/2up |editor=Darwin, Charles |date=1839. |chapter=The zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832–1836. Part II. Mammalia |title=The zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832–1836. (Pts 1 - 5) |volume=Vol. 1 |url=http://archive.org/details/NHM_UK_L_3967751001 |publisher= Smith, Elder & Co |place=London |accessdate=9 March 2013}}</ref> It became extinct in the mid 19th century.<ref name="Backgroundgeography"/><ref name="Paddle 2000">Paddle, R. 2000. pp.234–235 ''in'' The Last Tasmanian Tiger. The history and extinction of the Thylacine. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.</ref> 14 species of [[marine mammal]]s frequent the surrounding waters.<ref name=BioPlanning>{{cite journal |url=http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/BiodiversityStrategy09.pdf |title=Falkland Islands: Biodiversity Strategy 2008 - 2018 |publisher=The Environmental Planning Department, Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=26 November 2012 |page=8 |year=2008}}</ref> The elephant seal, the fur seal, and the sea lions all breed on the islands, and the largest elephant seal breeding site has over 500 animals in it.<ref name="gov.fk"/> 227 bird species have been seen on the islands,<ref name="epk"/> over 60 of which are known to breed on the islands.<ref name="gov.fk">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk//Environment.html |title=Nature |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> There are two endemic species of bird, and 14 endemic [[subspecies]].<ref name="epk"/> There are five penguin species breeding on the islands, and over 60% of the global [[black-browed albatross]] population also breed in the area.<ref name=BioPlanning/>

There are no native [[reptile]]s or [[amphibian]]s on the islands. Over 200 species of insects have been recorded, along with 43 [[spider]] species and 12 [[worm]] species. Only 13 terrestrial invertebrates are recognised as [[Endemism|endemic]], although information on many species is lacking and it is suspected up to two thirds of species found are actually endemic. Due to the island environment, many insect species have developed reduced or absent wings. There are around 129 freshwater invertebrates, the majority being [[rotifer]]; however, the identification of some species remains in dispute.<ref name="epk"/> Six species of fish are found in freshwater areas, including [[Aplochiton|zebra trout]] (''aplochiton zebra'') and [[Common galaxias|falklands minnows]] (''Galaxias maculatus'').<ref name="epk"/> Different species of [[krill]] are found in Falkland waters, with [[Munida|lobster krill]] inhabiting the warmer waters in the north.<ref name="seabirds"/>

There are no native tree species on the archipelago, although two species of bushes, [[Chiliotrichum|fachine]] (''Chiliotrichum diffusum'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/falklands |title=Falkland Islands |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|Kew Royal Botanic Gardens]] |year=2012 |accessdate=26 November 2012}}</ref> and [[Hebe elliptica|native box]] are found. Other vegetation consists of [[grass]]es and [[fern]]s.<ref name="Backgroundgeography"/> Around 363 species of [[vascular plant]]s, 21 species of ferns and [[clubmoss]]es and 278 species of [[flowering plant]]s have been recorded on the islands. Of the vascular plants, 171 are believed to be native and 13 to be endemic.<ref name="epk"/> Some [[bog]]s and [[fen]]s exist and support some freshwater plant species, but these are not common on the islands.<ref name="seabirds"/> [[Tussac grass]], which averages {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=flip}} in height but can reach up to {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on||disp=flip}}, is found within 300&nbsp;m (1,000&nbsp;ft) of the coast where it forms bands around larger islands. The dense canopies formed create an insulated [[micro-climate]] suitable for many birds and invertebrates.<ref name="seabirds"/> The [[Olsynium filifolium|pale maiden]] (''Olsynium filifolium'') is the islands' proposed national flower.<ref name="gov.fk"/>

There is little long-term data on habitat changes, so the extent of human impact is unclear.<ref name="epk"/> Vegetation such as tussac grass, fachine, and native box have been heavily impacted by introduced grazing animals. Many breeding birds similarly only live on offshore islands, where introduced animals such as cats and rats are not found.<ref name="seabirds"/> Virtually the entire area of the islands is used as [[pasture]] for [[domestic sheep|sheep]]. There is also an introduced [[reindeer]] population, which was brought to the islands in 2001 for commercial purposes.<ref name=cia/> Rats<ref name="Britlinks"/> and [[Grey fox]]es have been introduced and are having a detrimental impact on birds that nest on the shores, as are [[feral cat]]s. 22 introduced plant species are thought to provide a significant threat to local flora.<ref name="epk"/>

==Economy==

{{main|Economy of the Falkland Islands}}

[[File:Aerial photo Port Stanley edit.jpg|thumb|right|[[Port Stanley]] is the main financial center of the Falkland Islands' economy.]]

The earliest economic activity on the islands, from 1770 onwards, was [[whaling]] and [[Seal hunting|sealing]]. From the mid nineteenth century onwards, sheep farming played an important part in the island's economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Part 4 - The British Colonial Era |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history4.html |work=A Brief History of the Falkland Islands |publisher=Falkland Islands Information Portal |accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref> In more recent years [[fishing]], [[oil exploration]] and [[tourism]] have played a leading part in the economy of the islands.

Today, apart from defence, the islands are self sufficient with annual exports of $125&nbsp;million and imports of $90&nbsp;million (2004 estimate).<ref name=cia>{{cite web |title=Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) |work=The World Factbook |publisher=CIA |date=28 February 2011 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fk.html |accessdate=8 March 2011}}</ref> The Falkland Islands use the [[Falkland pound]], which circulates interchangeably with the pound [[Pound sterling|sterling]] and which is backed by the pound sterling on a one-for-one basis.<ref name=NewCoin>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/documents/197-10.pdf |title=Commemorative Coin – Lifetime of Service |date=17 August 2010 |publisher=Executive Council of the Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=31 December 2010}}</ref> Falkland coins are produced in the United Kingdom;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.currencymuseum.net/falklandis.htm |title=The history of the Falkland Islands pound |publisher=Will's online paper money |accessdate=16 July 2010}}</ref> coins are identical in size to the United Kingdom currency but with local designs on the reverse. The Falkland Islands also [[Postage stamps and postal history of the Falkland Islands|issue their own stamps]]. Both the coins and stamps are a source of revenue from overseas collectors.<ref name=NewCoin/>

Farmland accounts for {{convert|1123985|ha|sqmi|abbr=on}}, more than 90% of the Falklands land area.<ref name=Farms>{{cite web |url=http://www.agriculture.gov.fk/publications/farming_statistics/2008-2009.pdf |title=Biennial Report 2008/9 |publisher=Falklands Island Government Department of Agriculture |date=31 May 2009 |accessdate=18 April 2010}}</ref> Since 1984, efforts to diversify the economy have made fishing the largest part of the economy and brought increasing income from tourism.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2004/apr/04/food.business LA, Paris, Port Stanley?], Frank Kane, [[The Observer]], 4 April 2004</ref> [[Domestic sheep|Sheep]] farming was formerly the main source of income for the islands and still plays an important part with high quality wool exports going to the UK. According to the Falklands Government Statistics there are over 500,000 sheep on the islands with roughly 60% on East Falkland and 40% on West Falkland.<ref name=Farms/>

The government has operated a fishing zone policy since 1986 with the sale of fishing licences to foreign countries. These licences have recently raised only [[Falkland Islands pound|£]]12 to 15&nbsp;million a year in revenue, as opposed to £20m to £25m annually during the 1990s. Locally registered fishing boats are also in operation. More than 75% of the annual catch of 200,000 tonnes (220,000 short tons) is [[Squid (food)|squid]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk//Fisheries.html |title=Fisheries |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate =14 July 2010}}</ref>

Tourism has grown rapidly. The islands have become a regular port of call for the growing market of cruise ships with more than 36,000 visitors in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.falklands.info/background/lifearticle31.html |title=Four Seasons and more than 3,000 Tourists in One Day |last=Jaffray |first=Sharon |newspaper=Penguin News |date=22 April 2005 |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref>

A 1995 agreement between the UK and Argentina had set the terms for exploitation of offshore resources including [[oil reserves]]<ref>{{cite news |first=Calvin |last=Sims |title=Britain and Argentina Reach an Accord on Falkland Oil Rights |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/20/world/britain-and-argentina-reach-an-accord-on-falkland-oil-rights.html?pagewanted=1 |work=The New York Times |date=20 September 1995 |accessdate=10 May 2010}}</ref> as geological surveys had shown there might be up to 60&nbsp;billion barrels (9.5&nbsp;billion cubic metres) of oil under the seabed surrounding the islands.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/07/falkland-islands-oil-britain-argentina |title=Falklands oil prospects stir Anglo-Argentine tensions |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 February 2010 |first1=Rory |last1=Carroll |first2=Annie |last2=Kelly |accessdate=23 August 2011}}</ref> However, in 2007 Argentina unilaterally withdrew from the agreement;<ref>{{cite news |first=Sophie |last=Arie |title=Argentina snubs UK over oil deal as anniversary nears |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/29/warg29.xml |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 April 2007 |accessdate=20 October 2007}}</ref> Falklands Oil and Gas Limited then signed an agreement with [[BHP Billiton]] to investigate the potential exploitation of oil reserves.<ref name="Times_Oil_Deal">

{{cite news |first=Carl |last=Mortished |title=BHP Billiton strikes $100m Falklands drilling deal |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article2577806.ece |work=The Times |date=3 October 2007 |accessdate=20 October 2007}}</ref> Due to the difficult climatic conditions of the southern seas exploitation will be difficult, though economically viable; the continuing sovereignty dispute with Argentina is also hampering progress.<ref name="Argentine_response">{{cite news |first=Jude |last=Webber |title=Argentina protests at Falklands oil stake |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aa2294fe-71d7-11dc-8960-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1 |publisher=The Financial Times |date=3 October 2007 |accessdate=20 October 2007}}</ref>

In February 2010 exploratory drilling for oil was begun by [[Desire Petroleum]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8527307.stm |title=Drilling for oil begins off the Falkland Islands |publisher=BBC News |date=22 February 2010 |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> but the results from the first test well were disappointing.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/explorers-fail-to-strike-oil-in-test-sites-off-falklands-1930807.html |title=Explorers fail to strike oil in test sites off Falklands |work=The Independent |date=30 March 2010 |accessdate=9 June 2010 |first=Nick |last=Clark}}</ref> Two months later, on 6 May 2010, [[Rockhopper Exploration]] announced that "it may have struck oil".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10100769.stm |title=Falklands oil firm Rockhopper claims discovery |publisher=BBC News |date=6 May 2010 |accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> Subsequent tests showed it to be a commercially viable find; an appraisal project was launched and on 14 September 2011 Rockhopper Exploration announced that plans were under way for oil production to commence in 2016, through the use of [[floating production storage and offloading]] (FPSO) technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oilonline.com/default.asp?id=259&nid=19869&name=FPSO+wanted+for+Sea+Lion |title=FPSO wanted for Sea Lion |date=14 September 2011 |accessdate=26 November 2012 |publisher=OilOnline |first1=Jennifer |last1=Pallanich}}</ref>

===Telephone===

The first telephones in the Falklands were installed by the Falkland Island Company in 1880, with lines to all settlements in Camp being installed by 1907. In 1911, Marconi built a telegraph office that permitted telegrams to be sent to [[Montevideo]]. In 1950, the fixed line telephone service to Camp was replaced by a radio service;<ref name=C&WHistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.cwfi.co.fk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=53 |title=About us |publisher=Cable & Wireless Falkland Islands |accessdate=11 August 2012}}</ref> the 2006 census showed that of the 307 two-metre radio receivers in the islands, 129 were located in Camp.<ref name=2006Census/> In 1989, Cable and Wireless won the contract to provide the Island's national and international telephone services.<ref name=C&WHistory/> In 2006, a [[GSM|GSM 900]] mobile network was installed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gsmworld.com/ROAMING/GSMINFO/net_fkcw.shtml |title=GSM coverage in the Falkland Islands |publisher=Gsmworld.com |accessdate=11 August 2012}}</ref>

In 2006, broadband was successfully implemented in Stanley and Mount Pleasant Complex and was subsequently rolled out across the islands from 2008 to 2009.<ref name=C&WHistory/> The [[International Telecommunication Union]] figures for 2011 identified the Falkland Islands as having the [[List of countries by number of Internet users|highest proportion of internet users]] in the world – 96.38%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/material/excel/20112/ictwebsite/Internet_users_01-11_2.xls |title=Internet users per 100 inhabitants |publisher=International Telecommunication Union |format=Excel |accessdate =29 October 2011}}</ref>

===Transport===

{{main|Transport in the Falkland Islands}}

In 1982, the Falkland Islands had no roads outside Stanley, only tracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/documents/Falklands%20Focus%20Issue%2081,%20July%2007.pdf |title=Falkland Focus – News from the Falkland Islands Government |date=July/August 2007 |accessdate=29 December 2010}}</ref> By 2007, the Falkland Islands had a road network of {{convert|786|km|mi|disp=flip}} which in 2012 had been extended to {{convert|862|km|mi|disp=flip}} linking to all occupied mainland settlements.<ref name=Transport>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Transport_&_Communication.html# |title=Transport and Communication |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=18 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Priorities for Roads Maintenance, Increased Funding for Grading, Capping and for Surfacing the MPA Road |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/documents/39-12P.pdf |date=25 April 2012 |publisher=Falkland Islands Executive Council |accessdate=16 August 2012}}</ref> Speed limits are 25&nbsp;mph (40&nbsp;km/h) in built-up areas and 40&nbsp;mph (64&nbsp;km/h) elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklandislands.com/product.php/101/8/module_1__local_transport___getting_around |title=Module 1: Local Transport / Getting Around |publisher=Falkland Islands Tourist Board |accessdate =26 November 2012}}</ref> {{As of|2006}}, the Falkland Islands had 67 motor vehicles per 100 people, with 4x4 vehicles accounting for 66% of the total.<ref name=2006Census/>

The Falkland Islands have two airports with paved runways – the main international airport [[RAF Mount Pleasant]], {{convert|27|mi|km|disp=flip}} west of Stanley<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapcrow.info/Distance_between_London_UK_and_Port_Stanley_FK.html |title={{convert|43.28|km|2|abbr=on|2|disp=flip}} in Map Crow Travel Distance Calculator |publisher=Mapcrow.info |date=23 October 2007 |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> opened in 1986 and the smaller [[Port Stanley Airport]] on the outskirts of Stanley, opened in 1979 following the 1971 Anglo-Argentine agreement regarding an air link between the countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stanley Airport Celebrates 25th Birthday |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/histarticle7.html |publisher=Falklands.info |date=March 2004 |accessdate=27 March 2011}}</ref> Mount Pleasant is used for military purposes and for heavy aircraft that require long runways, whereas Stanley is used for internal flights and smaller aircraft.

The [[Royal Air Force]] operates flights from RAF Mount Pleasant to [[RAF Brize Norton]] in Oxfordshire, England, with a refuelling stop at [[RAF Ascension Island]]. RAF flights are on [[Lockheed TriStar (RAF)|TriStars]] although charter aircraft are often used if the TriStars are required for operational flights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2010/01/27/air-seychelles-begins-operating-brize-norton-falklands-air-bridge |title=Air Seychelles begins operating Brize Norton-Falklands Air Bridge |publisher=MercoPress |date=28 January 2011 |accessdate=18 August 2011}}</ref> Local military air support – moving of personnel, equipment and supplies around the islands is carried out under contract by [[British International Helicopters|British International (BRINTEL)]] which operates two [[H-3 Sea King|Sikorsky S61N]] helicopters. The principal civilian air operator at Mount Pleasant is [[LAN (airline)|LAN Airlines]] which operates weekly flights to [[Santiago, Chile]] via [[Punta Arenas]].<ref name=Transport/>

The main operator at Port Stanley Airport is the [[Falkland Islands Government Air Service]] (FIGAS) which operates [[Britten-Norman Islander|Islander]] aircraft which can use the grass airstrips at most settlements. Flight schedules, which are broadcast on the radio every evening, are planned on a daily basis according to passenger needs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklandislands.com/product.php/19/24/air_service__figas_/3264f26f115b88e105590adfbcee300f |title=Internal flights (FIGAS) |publisher=Falkland Islands Tourist Board |accessdate=27 March 2011}}</ref>

Private operators from Stanley include the [[British Antarctic Survey]] who operate an air link to the [[Rothera Research Station]] on the [[Antarctic Peninsula]] and also serve other British bases in the [[British Antarctic Territory]] using a [[de Havilland Canada Dash 7]].

==Demographics==

{{see also|Falkland Islanders|Origins of Falkland Islanders}}

[[File:WhaleboneArchCathedral.JPG|thumb|left|[[Christ Church Cathedral (Falkland Islands)|Christ Church Cathedral]], Stanley, with an arch made of whale bone. One of the earliest economic activities on the islands was whaling.]]

The population of the Falkland Islands is primarily of British descent (about 70 percent of the population), mainly as a result of [[Scottish people|Scottish]] and [[Welsh people|Welsh]] immigration to the islands.<ref>{{cite book |first=Patrick |last=Vincent |title=The Geographical Journal, Vol. 149, No. 1, pp 16–17 |month=March | year=1983}}</ref> In the 2012 census, 59% of residents described their national identity as ‘Falkland Islander’, 29% considered themselves British, 9.8% St Helenian and 5.4% Chilean.<ref name = census2012/> In the 2006 census, some Islanders identified themselves as of [[French people|French]], [[Gibraltarian people|Gibraltarian]], and [[Scandinavia]]n descent.<ref name=2006Census>{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20101216182057/http://www.falklands.gov.fk//documents/Census%20Report%202006.pdf |title=Falkland Islands Census Statistics, 2006 |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=4 June 2010}}</ref> Although the 2006 census indicated that only a third of residents were born on the islands, many people from other countries, including [[Chile]] and [[Saint Helena]], have settled in the Falklands and become assimilated into the local population.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6683677.stm |title=Falklands questions answered |publisher=BBC News |date=4 June 2007 |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> There is also a small number of [[Argentine nationality law|Argentine nationals]] currently residing in the islands,<ref name="mercopress">{{cite news | url=http://en.mercopress.com/2013/06/28/falklands-referendum-voters-from-many-countries-around-the-world-voted-yes | title=Falklands Referendum: Voters from many countries around the world voted Yes | work=MercoPress | date=28 June 2013 | accessdate=29 June 2013|quote="The largest minorities were St Helenians and Chileans, but there were also 18 Argentines on the electoral register."}}</ref> including Maria Strange, wife of the author and historian [[Ian Strange]].<ref name='telegraph 2010-02-28'>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Leonard |title='We must educate the Argentines' |date=28 February 2010 |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100302005501/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/falklandislands/7332262/We-must-educate-the-Argentines.html |work=The Telegraph |accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref>

Residents of the Falklands are often called "[[Kelpers]]"<ref name="Tweedie">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/falklandislands/9176205/How-the-good-life-came-to-the-Kelpers.html |title=How the good life came to the Kelpers |last=Tweedie |first=Neil |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=31 March 2012 |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> or "Islanders".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk//Falklands_Life.html |title=People |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> The legal term for having the right of residence is "[[Falkland Islands status|belonging to the islands]]".<ref name=constitutiontext/> From 1 January 1983, as provided in the [[British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983]], the islanders have been full [[British nationality law|British citizens]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/6 |title=British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 |publisher=The National Archives |accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref>

A population decline leading up to the Falklands War has reversed, with the population bolstered by immigration from the British island of Saint Helena, and Chile<ref name="Tweedie"/> though figures for immigration are skewed by including children born to Falkland Islander women who for medical reasons travelled abroad for their confinement as being "born abroad".<ref name=2006Census/> Historical census figures show that the population rose from an estimate of 287 in 1851 to 2,272 in 1911. The population was 2,094 in 1921 and 2,392 in 1931, but it then declined to 1,813 in 1980.<ref name=2006Census/> However, the population recorded in the 2001 census was higher than at any previous point in history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/background/census2001r.html |title=Summary Report |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> By 2006 the population had increased to 2,955 of whom 2,115 lived in Stanley and 477 in Mount Pleasant, 194 in the rest of East Falkland, 127 in West Falkland and 42 in the other islands. These figures excluded all military personnel and their families, but included 477 people who were present in the Falkland Islands in connection with the military garrison.<ref name="2006Census"/> In 2012, the usual daily population of the Falkland Islands stood at 2,932 (excluding British Ministry of Defence personnel and families based at [[RAF Mount Pleasant]]), the small drop since 2006 being attributed to a decline in the number of contractors associated with the air base. Excluding these contractors, the true population stood at 2,563. A breakdown of the figures showed that Stanley had a population of 2,121, Camp had a population of 351 and contractors at Mount Pleasant made up 369. 91 residents were overseas when the 2012 census was taken.<ref name = census2012/>

The age distribution of the islands residents is skewed towards people of working age {{nowrap|(20–60)}} – 65% as opposed to 21% aged below 20 and 14% aged above 60. Males outnumber females by 53% to 47% with the deviation being most prominent in the {{nowrap|20–60}} age group.<ref name=2006Census/> In the 2006 census, 67.2% of the islanders identified themselves as being [[Christian]]s, 31.5% either declined to answer or had no religious affiliation and the remaining 1.3% (39 individuals) identified themselves as adherents of other faiths.<ref name=2006Census/> The islands have three churches, one for each of the [[Church of England]], [[Roman Catholic]] and [[United Free Church]] communities.<ref name=FCO/>

== Culture ==

[[File:Chapkanov-Saint-Nicholas.jpg|thumb|right|Metal icon depicting [[Saint Nicholas|St Nicholas]], the patron saint of [[fishermen]]. The [[icon]] is located at the premises of the Falklands Legislative Assembly at Gilbert House in Stanley, Falkland Islands]]

===Media===

The islands have two weekly newspapers, the ''The Penguin News'' which is funded by the Falklands Media Trust and the ''Teaberry Express'' which is published by the Falkland Islands News Network.<ref name=pressreference>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressreference.com/Co-Fa/Falkland-Islands.html |title=Falkland Islands |publisher=Press Reference |accessdate=4 April 2011}}</ref>

Falkland Islands technical standards for radio and television are identical to those in the United Kingdom or, in the case of [[Medium Wave]] broadcasts, the Americas. There are approximately 1000 television sets and 1000 radio receivers on the islands.<ref name=pressreference/> Five terrestrial television are broadcast by the [[British Forces Broadcasting Service|British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS)]], [[BBC One#Availability outside the UK|BBC One]], [[BBC Two#Availability outside the UK|BBC Two]], [[ITV (TV channel)#Availability outside the UK|ITV]], [[British Forces Broadcasting Service#BFBS Television|BFBS Extra]] and [[Sky News]]<ref>[http://www.bfbs.com/radio/article/bfbs-tv-set-for-a-makeover-on-27th-march BFBS TV SET FOR A MAKEOVER ON 27TH MARCH]</ref> while [[KTV Ltd.]] relays a number of satellite services such as [[BBC World News]], [[BBC Entertainment]], [[CNN International]], [[HBO]], [[ESPN]] and [[Discovery Channel]] via [[cable television|cable]] to subscribers in Stanley.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktv.co.fk/ |title=KTV Ltd (Home Page) |publisher=KTV Ltd. |accessdate=4 April 2011}}</ref> Radio broadcasting is supported by seven FM radio stations and one AM radio station. The first broadcasting service, the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Service, established in 1929 used landlines connected to a speaker in people's homes. This was upgraded to wireless in 1942 and a 5&nbsp;kW medium wave transmitter installed in 1954. VHF was introduced in 1999. In 2005 the service was privatised and renamed [[Falkland Islands Radio Service]] (FIRS).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firs.co.fk/station_history.php |title=Station History |publisher=Falkland Islands Radio Service |accessdate=4 April 2011}}</ref>

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==See also==

* [[Outline of the Falkland Islands]]

* [[Index of Falkland Islands-related articles]]

<!-- *[[List of people from the Falkland Islands]] -->

<!-- *[[List of places in the Falkland Islands]] -->

{{Subject bar|portal1=Latin America|portal2=United Kingdom||portal3=Argentina|portal4=Geography}}

== Notes ==

{{notelist-ua}}

== References ==

{{reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==

{{refbegin|30em}}

* {{cite book | last = Balmaceda | first = Daniel | title = Historias Inesperadas de la Historia Argentina | year = 2011 | publisher = Editorial Sudamericana | location = Buenos Aires | ref = harv | language=Spanish | isbn = 978-950-07-3390-8 }}

* {{cite book | last = Cahill | first = Kevin | title = Who Owns the World: The Surprising Truth About Every Piece of Land on the Planet | year = 2010 | publisher = Grand Central Publishing | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-446-55139-7 }}

* {{cite book | author = [[Central Intelligence Agency]] | title = The CIA World Factbook 2012 | year = 2011 | publisher = Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-61608-332-8 }}

* {{cite book | last = Doltan | first = Yossi | title = Watercraft on World Coins: America and Asia, 1800-2008 | volume=2 | year = 2010 | publisher = The Alpha Press | location = Portland | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-898595-50-2 }}

* {{cite book | last = Hince | first = Bernadette | title = The Antarctic Dictionary | year = 2001 | publisher = [[CSIRO Publishing]] | location = Collingwood | ref = harv | isbn = 0-9577471-1X }}

* {{cite book | last = Jones | first = Roger | title = What's Who? A Dictionary of Things Named After People and the People They are Named After | year = 2009 | publisher = Matador | location = Leicester | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1848760-479 }}

* {{cite book | last = Osmańczyk | first = Edmund | authorlink=Edmund Osmańczyk | title = Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements | year = 2003 | volume = 2 | edition = 3rd | editor = Anthony Mango | publisher = Routledge | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 0415939224 }}

* {{cite book | last = Paine | first = Lincoln | title = Ships of Discovery and Exploration | year = 2000 | publisher = [[Mariner Books]] | location = New York| ref = harv | isbn = 0-395-98415-7 }}

* {{cite book | last = Room | first = Adrian | authorlink=Adrian Room | title = Placenames of the World | edition=2nd | year = 2006 | publisher = McFarland & Company, Inc. | location = Jefferson | ref = harv | isbn = 0-7864-2248-3 }}

* {{cite book | last = Sainato | first = Vincenzo | editor1= Graeme Newman | editor2= Janet Stamatel | editor3= Hang-en Sung |title=Falkland Islands | encyclopedia= Crime and Punishment around the World | volume=2 | year = 2010 | publisher = ABC-CLIO | location = Santa Barbara | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-313-35133-4 }}

{{refend}}

* {{cite book |author=Julius Goebel |title=The struggle for the Falkland Islands: a study in legal and diplomatic history |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=V_lNAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=17 March 2011 |date=August 1971 |publisher=Kennikat Press |isbn=978-0-8046-1390-3 |ref=Goebel}}

* {{cite book |author=David Tatham |title=The Dictionary of Falklands Biography (Including South Georgia): From Discovery Up to 1981 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0D0VNAAACAAJ |accessdate=17 March 2011 |date=1 June 2008 |publisher=D. Tatham |isbn=978-0-9558985-0-1 |ref=Tatham}}

==Further reading==

{{refbegin|30em}}

*{{cite book |year=1846 |author=Darwin, Charles |title=On the Geology of the Falkland Islands |journal=[[Journal of the Geological Society|Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society]] |volume=2 |pages=267–274 |doi=10.1144/GSL.JGS.1846.002.01-02.46 |url=http://www.umag.cl/investigacion/dpa/docs/267-a.pdf |accessdate=9 March 2013 |postscript=&nbsp;&nbsp;}}

* L.L. Ivanov et al. [[s:The Future of the Falkland Islands and Its People|''The Future of the Falkland Islands and Its People''.]] Sofia: Manfred Wörner Foundation, 2003. Printed in Bulgaria by Double T Publishers. 96 pp.&nbsp;ISBN 954-91503-1-3.

*{{es icon}} Carlos Escudé and Andrés Cisneros, eds. ''Historia de las Relaciones Exteriores Argentinas''. Work developed and published under the auspices of the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI). Buenos Aires: GEL/Nuevohacer, 2000. ISBN 950-694-546-2.

* {{cite web |first1=Graham |last1=Pascoe |first2=Peter |last2=Pepper |url=http://www.falklandshistory.org/false-falklands-history.pdf |title=False Falklands History at the United Nations - How Argentina misled the UN in 1964 – and still does |date=May 2008 |publisher=Falklands History |accessdate=26 November 2012}}

* [http://www.samueljohnson.com/falklands.html Thoughts on the Late Transactions Respecting Falkland's Islands] by Samuel Johnson, 1771.

* Greig, D.W. [http://www.austlii.com/au/journals/AUYrBkIntLaw//1978/2.pdf Sovereignty and the Falkland Islands Crisis.] ''Australian Year Book of International Law''. Vol. 8 (1983). pp.&nbsp;20–70. ISSN: 0084-7658.

* César Caviedes. [http://lasa-2.univ.pitt.edu/LARR/prot/search/retrieve/?Vol=29&Num=2&Start=172 Conflict Over The Falkland Islands: A Never-Ending Story?] ''Latin American Research Review''. Vol. 29 (1994) No. 2. pp.&nbsp;172–187.

{{refend}}

==External links==

{{Sister project links|commons=Falkland Islands}}

* {{Wikiatlas|Falkland Islands}}

* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Falkland Islands}}

* {{CIA World Factbook link|fk|Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)}}

* {{dmoz|Regional/South_America/Falkland_Islands/}}

* [http://www.falklands.gov.fk/ Falkland Islands Government] (official site).

* [http://www.visitorfalklands.com/ The Falkland Islands Tourist Board]

* [http://www.falklandislands.com/ Falkland Islands Tourism]

<!-- * [http://www.falklands.gov.fk/FI_Development_Corporation.html Falkland Islands Development Corporation] TEMP link in case the official site link below stops working - Paine Ellsworth -->

* [http://www.fidc.co.fk/ Falkland Islands Development Corporation] (official site).

<!-- NOTE: The above link for FIDC's "official site", as of 1 March 2010, sometimes works and sometimes does not. It is not really a "dead link", so please don't remove it. The commented link above it can be used if the "official site" link stops working altogether. – Paine Ellsworth -->

* [http://www.falklandnews.com/ Falkland Islands News Network] (official site).

* [http://www.falklands.info/ Falkland Islands Information Portal]

* {{cite web | url = http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Historical_Dates.html | title = Historical Dates | accessdate =17 March 2011 | publisher = The Falkland Islands Government}}

* {{cite web | url = http://www.falklands.info/history/history2.html | title = A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS, Part 2 – Fort St. Louis and Port Egmont | accessdate =17 March 2011 | last = Lewis | first = Jason | coauthors = Alison Inglis | publisher = Falkland Islands Information Portal}}

* {{cite web | url = http://www.falklands.info/history/timeline.html | title = FALKLAND ISLANDS TIMELINE A Chronology of events in the history of the Falkland Islands | accessdate =17 March 2011 | last = Lewis | first = Jason | coauthors = Alison Inglis | publisher = Falkland Islands Information Portal}}

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