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.

Map reference: Antarctic Region, South America

Area
Total: land: 12,170 km²

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 1,288 km
Continental shelf: 100 m depth
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

Natural resources: fish, wildlife

Land use
Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Meadows and pastures: 99%
Forest and woodland: 0%
Other: 1%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Population: 2,206 (July 1993 est.)
Growth rate: 2.43% (1993 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Falkland Islander(s)
Adjective: Falkland Island

Ethnic groups: British

Languages: English
Total population: NA%
Male: NA%
Female: NA%

Religions:

Population growth rate: 2.43% (1993 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1000 population

Environment
Current issues: poor soil fertility and a short growing season
Current issues note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 population
Total population: NA years
Male: NA years
Female: NA years

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Country name
Conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands
Conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

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: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

International organization participation: ICFTU

Diplomatic representation
In 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

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. 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. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more than $40 million per year and are a primary source of income for the government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing.

Real gdp growth rate: NA%

Real gdp per capita: $NA

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

Industries: wool and fish processing

Industrial production growth rate: growth rate NA%

Labor force: 1,100 (est.)
By occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)

Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage

Budget: revenues $62.7 million; expenditures $41.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Exports: at least $14.7 million
Commodoties: wool, hides and skins, and meat
Partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)

Imports: at least $13.9 million
Commodoties: food, clothing, fuels, and machinery

Exchange rates: Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988; note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound

Electricity
Production: 9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,940 kWh per capita (1992)

Airports: 5
Usable: 5
With permanentsurface runways: 2
With runways over 3659 m: 0
With runways 2440-3659 m: 1
With runways 1220-2439 m: 0

Disputes international: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina