Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Introduction

Background

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 With hostilities ended and Argentine forces withdrawn, UK administration resumed. In response to renewed calls from Argentina for Britain to relinquish control of the islands, a referendum was held in March 2013, which resulted in 99.8% of the population voting to remain a part of the UK.

Geography

Location

Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km east of southern Argentina

Geographic coordinates

51 45 S, 59 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

total: 12,173 sq km
land: 12,173 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
country comparison to the world: 164

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

1,288 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
continental shelf: 200nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200nm

Climate

cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 60 cm in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate

Terrain

rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains

Elevation

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m

Natural resources

fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss

Land use

agricultural land: 92.4% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 92.4% (2011 est.)
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 7.6% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

NA

Population distribution

a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley

Natural hazards

strong winds persist throughout the year

Environment - current issues

overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer - introduced to the islands in 2001 from South Georgia - are part of a farming effort to produce specialty meat and diversify the islands' economy; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster; grazing threatens important habitats including tussac grass and its ecosystem with penguins and sea lions; soil erosion from fires

Geography - note

deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

People and Society

Population

3,198 (2016 est.)
note: data include all persons usually resident in the islands at the time of the 2016 census
country comparison to the world: 229

Nationality

noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island

Ethnic groups

Falkland Islander 48.3%, British 23.1%, St. Helenian 7.5%, Chilean 4.6%, mixed 6%, other 8.5%, unspecified 2% (2016 est.)

Languages

English 89%, Spanish 7.7%, other 3.3% (2006 est.)

Religions

Christian 57.1%, other 1.6%, none 35.4%, unspecified 6% (2016 est.)

Population growth rate

0.01% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189

Birth rate

10.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Death rate

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196

Net migration rate

NA

Population distribution

a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley

Urbanization

urban population: 78.1% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

2,000 STANLEY (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

1.12 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
note: sex ratio is somewhat skewed by the high proportion of males at the Royal Air Force station, Mount Pleasant Airport (MPA); excluding MPA, the sex ratio of the total population would be 1.04

Infant mortality rate

total: NA (2018)
male: NA
female: NA

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.9 (2017 est.)
male: 75.6
female: 79.6

Total fertility rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
etymology: the archipelago takes its name from the Falkland Sound, the strait separating the two main islands; the channel itself was named after the Viscount of Falkland, who sponsored an expedition to the islands in 1690; the Spanish name for the archipelago derives from the French "Iles Malouines," the name applied to the islands by French explorer Louis-Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE in 1764

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Legislative Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Capital

name: Stanley
geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named after Edward Smith-Stanley (1799-1869), the 14th Earl of Derby, a British statesman and three-time prime minister of the UK who never visited the islands

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

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

National holiday

Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Constitution

history: previous 1985; latest entered into force 1 January 2009 (The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008)
amendments: NA

Legal system

English common law and local statutes

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Nigel PHILLIPS (since 12 September 2017)
head of government: Chief Executive Barry ROWLAND (since 3 October 2016)
cabinet: Executive Council elected by the Legislative Council
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief executive appointed by the governor

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Legislative Assembly, formerly the Legislative Council (10 seats; 8 members directly elected by majority vote and 2 appointed ex-officio members - the chief executive, appointed by the governor, and the financial secretary; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 9 November 2017 (next to be held in November 2021)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 8; composition -men 8, women 2, percent of women 20%

Judicial branch

highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, the chief justice as an ex officio, non-resident member, and 2 justices of appeal); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office: all justices appointed by the governor; tenure specified in each justice's instrument of appointment
subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Political parties and leaders

none; all independents

International organization participation

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

Flag description

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

National symbol(s)

ram

National anthem

name: Song of the Falklands"
lyrics/music: Christopher LANHAM
note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

Economy

Economy - overview

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 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.Tourism, especially ecotourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009 and adds approximately $5.5 million to the Falkland’s annual GDP. The British military presence also provides a sizable 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 May 2010 the first commercial oil discovery was made, signaling the potential for the development of a long term hydrocarbon industry in the Falkland Islands.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$206.4 million (2015 est.)
$164.5 million (2014 est.)
$167.5 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220

GDP (official exchange rate)

$206.4 million(2015 est.) (2015 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

25.5% (2015 est.)
-1.8% (2014 est.)
-20.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$70,800 (2015 est.)
$63,000 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 41% (2015 est.)
industry: 20.6%NA (2015 est.)
services: 38.4%NA (2015 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Industries

fish and wool processing; tourism

Industrial production growth rate

NA

Labor force

1,850 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 227

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 41%
industry: 24.5%
services: 34.5% (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Population below poverty line

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36 (2015)
country comparison to the world: 91

Budget

revenues: 67.1 million (FY09/10)
expenditures: 75.3 million (FY09/10)

Taxes and other revenues

32.5% (of GDP) (FY09/10)
country comparison to the world: 66

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4% (of GDP) (FY09/10)
country comparison to the world: 156

Public debt

0% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.4% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Exports

$257.3 million (2015 est.)
$125 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Exports - partners

Spain 74.4%, Namibia 10.4%, US 5% (2017)

Exports - commodities

wool, hides, meat, venison, fish, squid

Imports

$90 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218

Imports - commodities

fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing

Imports - partners

UK 47.8%, Spain 28.4%, Greece 10.2%, Netherlands 5.7%, Cote dIvoire 4.3% (2017)

Debt - external

$0 (2017 est.)
$0 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

(31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar -
0.7836 (2017 est.)
0.6542 (2016 est.)
0.6542 (2015)
0.6542 (2014 est.)
0.6391 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity - production

19 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213

Electricity - consumption

17.67 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Electricity - installed generating capacity

12,100 kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208

Electricity - from fossil fuels

74% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Electricity - from other renewable sources

26% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

Refined petroleum products - consumption

290 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154

Refined petroleum products - imports

286 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

44,070 Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 2,255
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 77 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 4,674
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 146 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215

Telephone system

general assessment: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands
domestic: fixed-line subscriptions 77 per 100, 146 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2015)
international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries (2015)

Broadcast media

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)

Internet country code

.fk

Internet users

total: 3,000
percent of population: 98.3% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 1,610
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Military and Security

Military and security forces

no regular military forces

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transportation

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-F (2016)

Airports

7 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 167

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 (2019)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 5 (2013)
under 914 m: 5 (2013)

Roadways

total: 440 km (2008)
paved: 50 km (2008)
unpaved: 390 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 192

Merchant marine

total: 3
by type: general cargo 1, other 2 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 167

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Stanley

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

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

Flag of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)