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 Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 1,288 km

Maritime claims
Continental shelf: 100 meter depth
Exclusive Fishing Zone: 150 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

Natural resources: fish and wildlife

Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 99% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 1% other

Geography
Note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors

Population: 1,958 (July 1990), growth rate 0.5% (1990)

Nationality: noun--Falkland Islander(s; adjective--Falkland Island

Ethnic groups: almost totally British

Languages: English

Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, and United Free Church; Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population (1990)

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: NA migrants/1000 population (1990)

Environment
Current issues: poor soil fertility and a short growing season

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1990)

Literacy: NA%, but compulsory education up to age 15

Country name: conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands

Government type: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: Stanley

Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Constitution: 3 October 1985

Legal system: English common law

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952; Head of Government--Governor William Hugh FULLERTON (since NA 1988)

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Diplomatic representation
In 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

Economy overview: The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to meet domestic consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are primarily those for providing winter fodder. Major sources of income are from the export of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders, but development plans called for the islands to have six trawlers by 1989. In 1987 the government began to sell fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more than $25 million per year. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors who are attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing.

Agriculture products: predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds and fodder crops

Industries: wool processing

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 1,100 (est.), about 95% in agriculture, mostly sheepherding

Unemployment rate: 0%

Budget: revenues $11 million; expenditures $11.8 million, including capital expenditures of $1.2 million (FY87)

Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March

Exports: at least $14.7 million
Commodities: wool, hides and skins, and other
Partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)

Imports: at least $13.9 million
Commodities: food, clothing, fuels, and machinery
Partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1--0.6055 (January 1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714 (1985; note--the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound

Electricity
Capacity: 9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,700 kWh per capita (1989)

Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m

Disputes international: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina