Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. With hostilities ended and Argentine forces withdrawn, UK administration resumed.

Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina

slightly smaller than Connecticut

cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate

rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains

fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss

strong winds persist throughout the year

overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster

deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census)

3,140 (July 2008 est.)

STANLEY (capital) 2,000 (2009)

overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

English common law and local statutes

18 years of age; universal

unicameral Legislative Assembly (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; members to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor

Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction

none; all independents

Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes)

none (overseas territory of the UK)

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming but fishing and tourism currently comprise the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees net more than $40 million per year, which help support the island''s health, education, and welfare system. The waters around the Falkland Islands are known for their squid, which account for around 75% of the annual 200,000 ton fish catch. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and from the sale of postage stamps and coins. In 2001, the government purchased 100 reindeer with the intent to increase the number to 10,000 over the following 20 years so that Falkland could export venison to Scandinavia and Chile. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. In 1993 the British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. Political tensions between the UK and Argentina remain high following the start of oil drilling activities in the waters. In September 2011, a British exploration firm announced that it plans to commence oil production in 2016.

$164.5 million (2007 est.)

$105.1 million (2002 est.)

$164.5 million (2007 est.)

40.8% of GDP (FY09/10)

-5% of GDP (FY09/10)

fodder and vegetable crops; venison, sheep, dairy products; fish, squid

fish and wool processing; tourism

$125 million (2004 est.)

wool, hides, meat, venison, fish, squid

$90 million (2004 est.)

fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing

Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar -

19 million kWh (2009 est.)

17.67 million kWh (2009 est.)

10,000 kW (2009 est.)

90% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

10% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

300 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

313 bbl/day (2008 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

45,780 Mt (2010 est.)

TV service provided by a multi-channel service provider; radio services provided by the public broadcaster, Falkland Islands Radio Service, broadcasting on both AM and FM frequencies, and by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) (2007)

no regular military forces

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks