Falkland Islands Information

South Atlantic.

GMT - 3 (GMT - 4 from third Sunday in April to first Saturday in September).

12,173 sq km (4,700 sq miles).

3,140 (2008).

0.3 per sq km.

Stanley. Population: 2,115 (2006).

The Falkland Islands are located 560km (350 miles) off the east coast of South America and consist of two main islands and hundreds of small outlying islands, amounting to approximately 1.2 million hectares (3 million acres). Generally, the main islands are mountainous, with low-lying and undulating terrain in the south of East Falkland. The highest mountain is Mount Usborne at 712m (2,312ft).

British Overseas Territory since 1833, which is not recognised by Argentina, as it considers the Falkland Islands to be part of Argentina. Existing constitution adopted in 1985.

Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Alan Huckle since 2006.

Chief executive Tim Thorogood since 2008.

Until the war of 1982, the rainy, windswept Falkland Islands were a forgotten remnant of the old British Empire. First occupied by the French in 1764, the islands were quickly ceded to Spain, which then ruled the adjacent territory in Latin America. However, the Spanish only established themselves on West Falkland and, in 1765, the British took control of the eastern island.

By 1816, both powers had removed their respective garrisons and the Falkland Islands had no permanent inhabitants. A vessel from newly independent Argentina was sent in 1820 to establish a permanent settlement but was driven out by a British expedition in 1832. The British declared full sovereignty over the Falkland Islands the following year.

Argentina refused to recognise British sovereignty and has maintained a consistent claim to sovereignty ever since. This claim was pursued periodically through diplomatic channels until 1982, when an Argentine force overran the British garrison and established a military base on ‘Islas Malvinas', a name derived from the original French settlers, who named the islands after their home port of St Malo.

After various attempts at negotiation and mediation had failed, a British task force, which had been dispatched at the start of the crisis, was ordered to continue its journey and engage the Argentines. Argentina formally surrendered on 14 June, 10 weeks after the invasion. In the subsequent contact between the two governments, it has become apparent that the issue of sovereignty is a stumbling block and that the Falkland Islands' issue will remain a key aspect of Argentine foreign policy in the foreseeable future.

English.

Christian, with Catholic, Anglican and United Reformed Church of Stanley denominations.

240 volts AC, 50Hz.

The lifestyle in the Falkland Islands resembles that of a small English or Scottish village/town and communities on the Falkland Islands are highly self-contained. The influx of the British Forces has obviously had an effect on the Islands. More people now visit for a variety of reasons. The islanders themselves have benefited from the additional amenities offered by the Forces. The population is very keen to remain under British sovereignty.