Outline of the Falkland Islands

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the Falkland Islands:

The Coat of arms of the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas) are an archipelago located in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 310 miles (500 kilometres) east of the Patagonian coast at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago which has an area of 4,700 square miles (12,173 square kilometres) comprises East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 smaller islands. The islands, a British Overseas Territory, enjoy a large degree of internal self-government with the United Kingdom guaranteeing good government and taking responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The capital is Stanley on East Falkland.

Controversy exists over the Falklands' original discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times there have been French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements. Britain re-established its rule in 1833, though the islands continue to be claimed by Argentina. In 1982, following Argentina's invasion of the islands, the two-month-long undeclared Falklands War between both countries resulted in the surrender of all Argentine forces and the return of the islands to British administration.

The population, estimated at 2,841, primarily consists of native Falkland Islanders, the vast majority being of British descent. Other ethnicities include French, Gibraltarian, and Scandinavian. Immigration from the United Kingdom, Saint Helena, and Chile has reversed a former population decline. The predominant and official language is English. Under the British Nationality Act of 1983, Falkland Islanders are legally British citizens.

The islands lie on the boundary of the Subarctic maritime climate and Temperate maritime climate zones with both major islands having mountain ranges reaching to 2,300 feet (700 m). The islands are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on the main islands because of the effects of introduced species. Major economic activities include fishing, tourism, sheep farming with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports, and oil exploration. Oil exploration, licensed by the Falkland Islands Government, remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina.

General reference

An enlargeable basic map of the Falkland Islands

Pronunciation: /ˈfɔː(l)klənd ˈfɒlk-/
Common English country names: The Falkland Islands, the Falklands
Official English country name: The Falkland Islands^[1]
Common endonym(s):
Official endonym(s):
Adjectival(s): Falkland Island
Demonym(s): Falkland Islander, Falklander
Etymology: Name of the Falkland Islands
ISO country codes: FK, FLK, 238
ISO region codes: See ISO 3166-2:FK
Internet country code top-level domain: .fk

Geography of the Falkland Islands

An enlargeable topographic map of the Falkland Islands

Geography of the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are: a British overseas territory and archipelago consisting of East Falkland, West Falkland, and 776 smaller islands
Location:
- Southern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere
- Atlantic Ocean
  - South Atlantic, 500 kilometres (310 mi) east of Argentina but 400 kilometres (250 mi) north east of the tip of Tierra del Fuego.
- Time zone: UTC-4, September–April UTC-3
- Extreme points of the Falkland Islands
  - High: Mount Usborne 705 m (2,313 ft)
  - Low: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
- Land boundaries: none
- Coastline: 1,288 km
Population of the Falkland Islands:
Area of the Falkland Islands:
Atlas of the Falkland Islands

Environment of the Falkland Islands

An enlargeable satellite image of the Falkland Islands

Natural geographic features of the Falkland Islands

Islands of the Falkland Islands
Mountains of the Falkland Islands
Rivers of the Falkland Islands
Valleys of the Falkland Islands
World Heritage Sites in the Falkland Islands: None
Patagonian Shelf
Burdwood Bank

Regions of the Falkland Islands

Ecoregions of the Falkland Islands

List of ecoregions in the Falkland Islands

Administrative divisions of the Falkland Islands

Municipalities of the Falkland Islands

Capital of the Falkland Islands: Stanley
Cities of the Falkland Islands

Demography of the Falkland Islands

Demographics of the Falkland Islands

Government and politics of the Falkland Islands

Politics of the Falkland Islands

Foreign relations of the Falkland Islands

None - though self-governing, the Falkland Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, and therefore all foreign relations in regards to it are conducted by the UK. See also Sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
- Diplomatic missions in the Falkland Islands: none
- Diplomatic missions of the Falkland Islands: none