Statistical information Falkland Islands 1997

Falkland Islands in the World
top of pageBackground: 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 Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982.
top of pageLocation: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W
Map reference:
South AmericaAreaTotal: 12,170 km²
Land: 12,170 km²
Water: 0 km²
Note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
Comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claimsContinental shelf: 200 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land useArable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 99%
Forests and woodland: 0%
Other: 1% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA km²
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year
GeographyNote: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
top of pagePopulation: 2,432 (July 1997 est.)
Growth rate: 2.43% (1997 est.)
NationalityNoun: Falkland Islander(s)
Adjective: Falkland Island
Ethnic groups: British
Languages: English
Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 2.43% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1000 population
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: NA
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: NA male(s)/female
Under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
Total population: NA male(s)/female
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: NA years
Male: NA years
Female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracySchool life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands
Conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Government type: NA
Capital: Stanley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Dependent areasIndependence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution: 3 October 1985
Legal system: English common law
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952)
Head of government: Governor Richard RALPH (since 29 January 1996)
Cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor
Elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats, 8 elected; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held NA October 1993 (next was to be held NA October 1998)
Election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is non-resident
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic representationIn the us: none (dependent territory of the UK)
From the us: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag description
: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is 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 symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987, when the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. An agreement between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: NA%
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: NA%
Industry: NA%
Services: NA%
Agriculture products: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small dairy herds
Industries: wool and fish processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor forceTotal: 1,100 (est.)
By occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $53.4 million
Expenditures: $53.1 million, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1994-95 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExportsTotal value: $7.6 million (1995)
Commodities: wool, hides, meat
Partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992)
ImportsTotal value: $24.7 million (1995)
Commodities: food, clothing, timber, and machinery
Partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Falkland pound (£F) per US$1 - 0.6023 (January 1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992; note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
top of pageElectricityCapacity: NA kW
Production: NA kWh
Consumption per capita: NA kWh
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 1,180 (1991 est.)
Telephone systemDomestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands
International: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $NA
Percent of gdp: NA%
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 5 (1996 est.)
With paved runways total: 5
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1996 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailways: 0 km
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marine: none
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs