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|image_map = Falkland Islands in its region (globe zoom+inset).svg |image_map = Falkland Islands in its region (globe zoom+inset).svg
|map_caption = Location of the Falkland Islands. |map_caption = Location of the Falkland Islands.
|national_motto = <!--speechmarks (quotation):-->"]" |national_motto = <!--speechmarks (quotation):-->"Desire the right"
|national_anthem = <!--italics (song/music title):-->'']''{{nbsp|2}}{{small|(official)}}<br/>'']''&nbsp;{{ref label|anthem-note|a|}} |national_anthem = <!--italics (song/music title):-->'']''{{nbsp|2}}{{small|(official)}}<br/>'']''&nbsp;{{ref label|anthem-note|a|}}
|official_languages = ] |official_languages = ]
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|leader_name1 = ] |leader_name1 = ]
|leader_title2 = ] |leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name2 = ]<ref name=HaywoodGovernor/> |leader_name2 = ]{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Government"}}
|leader_title3 = ] |leader_title3 = ]
|leader_name3 = ]<ref name="Padgett"/>
|leader_name3 = ]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.penguin-news.com/index.php/news/politics/item/278-new-chief-executive~~~~-for-falkland-islands-government |title=New Chief Executive for Falkland Islands Governmen |first=Janet |last=Robertson |authorlink=Janet Robertson |date=6 March 2012 |newspaper=] |publisher= |accessdate=6 March 2012}}</ref>
|leader_title4 = Responsible Minister (]) |leader_title4 = Responsible Minister (])
|leader_name4 = {{nowrap|] ]}} |leader_name4 = {{nowrap|] ]}}
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|population_density_sq_mi = 0.65 <!--Do not remove per ]--> |population_density_sq_mi = 0.65 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 241st |population_density_rank = 241st
|GDP_PPP = $164.5&nbsp;million<ref name=CIA>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fk.html |title=Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |accessdate=10 July 2013}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP = $75&nbsp;million
|GDP_PPP_rank = 223rd |GDP_PPP_rank = 222nd
|GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $55,400<ref name=CIA/>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $55,400<ref name="CIA">2002 estimate. {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fk.html |title=CIA World Factbook 2012 |publisher=cia.gov |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 7th |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 9th
|sovereignty_type = ] |sovereignty_type = ]
|established_event1 = ] |established_event1 = ]
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|established_event5 = {{nowrap|]}} |established_event5 = {{nowrap|]}}
|established_date5 = 2009 |established_date5 = 2009
|Gini_year = 2010
|Gini_year = |Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady--> |Gini = <!--number only--> |Gini_ref =
|Gini = 34.17 <!--number only-->
|HDI_year = 2008
|Gini_ref = {{sfn|Avakov|2013|p=54}}
|Gini_rank = 64th
|HDI_year = 2010
|HDI_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady--> |HDI_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
|HDI = 0.933<!--number only--> |HDI = 0.874 <!--number only-->
|HDI_ref = {{sfn|Avakov|2013|p=47}}
|HDI_ref = <ref>, United Nations ESCAP, February 2009</ref>
|HDI_rank = 20th
|currency = ]{{ref label|currency-note|d|}} |currency = ]{{ref label|currency-note|d|}}
|currency_code = FKP |currency_code = FKP
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Controversy exists over the Falklands' original discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had ], ], ], and ] settlements. Britain ], though the islands continue to be ] by Argentina. In 1982, following Argentina's ], the two-month-long undeclared ] between both countries resulted in the surrender of all Argentine forces and the return of the islands to British administration. Controversy exists over the Falklands' original discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had ], ], ], and ] settlements. Britain ], though the islands continue to be ] by Argentina. In 1982, following Argentina's ], the two-month-long undeclared ] between both countries resulted in the surrender of all Argentine forces and the return of the islands to British administration.


The population, estimated at 2,932 in 2012, primarily consists of native ], the vast majority being of British descent. Other ethnicities include French, ], ], and ]n. Immigration from the United Kingdom, ], and ] has reversed a former population decline. The predominant and official language is English. Under the ], Falkland Islanders are legally ]. The population, estimated at 2,932 in 2012, primarily consists of native ], the majority of British descent. Other ethnicities include French, ], and ]n. Immigration from the United Kingdom, ], and ] has reversed a former population decline. The predominant and official language is English. Under the ], Falkland Islanders are legally ].


The islands lie on the boundary of the ] zones with both major islands having mountain ranges reaching to {{convert|700|m|ft|disp=flip}}. 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 ], ], sheep farming with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports, and oil exploration. Oil exploration, licensed by the ], remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina. The islands lie on the boundary of the ] zones with both major islands having mountain ranges reaching to {{convert|700|m|ft|disp=flip}}. The islands are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on the main islands due to the effects of introduced species. Major economic activities include ], ], and sheep farming with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports. Oil exploration, licensed by the ], remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina.


==Etymology== ==Etymology==
{{see also|List of Falkland Islands placenames}} {{see also|List of Falkland Islands placenames}}


The Falkland Islands are named after the ], a ] that separates the archipelago's two main islands.{{sfn|Jones|2009|p=73}} The name "Falkland" was applied to the channel by ], the captain of an ] expedition that landed on the islands in 1690. Strong named the strait in honor of ], the ] who had sponsored the long journey.{{sfn|Dotan|2010|p=165}}{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}} The Viscount's title in turn comes from the town of ], ], whose name comes from the term "folkland" (meaning land held by ]).{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}} Nevertheless, the name would not be applied to the islands until 1765, when ] captain ] claimed them for ] as "Falkland's Islands".{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}}{{sfn|Paine|2000|p=45}}
The Falkland Islands took their English name from "Falkland Sound", the channel between the two main islands, which was in turn named after ], by Captain ], who landed on the islands in 1690.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Pepper |first=Peter J |title=Port Desire and the Discovery of the Falklands |journal=Falkland Islands Newsletter |edition=78 |year=2001 |month=March |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/histarticle19.html |accessdate=6 March 2010}}</ref> The Spanish name, ''las (Islas) Malvinas'',<ref name="WordReference">{{cite web |url=http://www.wordreference.com/es/translation.asp?tranword=Falklands&B10=Buscar&dict=enes |title=Falklands |publisher=WordReference.com |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> is derived from the French name, ''Îles Malouines'',<ref name="Malouines">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history2.html |title=Part 2 – Fort St. Louis and Port Egmont |work = A Brief History of the Falkland Islands |publisher=Falkland Islands Information Portal |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref> named by ] in 1764 after the first known settlers, mariners and fishermen from the ] port of ] in France.<ref name="Malouines"/> The ] designation is ''Falkland Islands (Malvinas)''<ref name=std_name>{{cite web | url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49alpha.htm | title=Countries or areas, codes and abbreviations | publisher=United Nations Statistics Division | date=December 2012 | accessdate=2013-05-18}}</ref> and its ] two and three-letter codes are ''FK'' and ''FLK'' respectively.<ref name=std_name/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/country_names_and_code_elements.htm|title=Country names and code elements |publisher=International Organization for Standardization |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref>


The Spanish name for the archipelago, ''Islas Malvinas'', comes from the French ''Îles Malouines'', the name given to the islands by ] explorer ] in 1764.{{sfn|Hince|2001|p=121}} Bougainville, who founded the islands' first settlement, named the area after the port of ], the point of departure for his ships and colonists.{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}}{{sfn|Hince|2001|p=121}} The port, located in the ] region of western France, was in turn named after ] (or Maclou), the Christian ] who founded the city.{{sfn|Balmaceda|2011|p=Chapter 36}}
As a result of the ], the use of many Spanish names is considered offensive in the Falkland Islands, particularly those associated with the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/background/99agree.html |title=Agreement of 14th July 1999 |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=23 July 2007}}</ref> General Sir ] would not allow the use of ''Islas Malvinas'' in the ], dismissing it as a ] term.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.psywar.org/falklands.php |title=PSYOP of the Falkland Islands War |publisher=Psywar.org |accessdate=23 July 2007}}</ref>


The ] uses both the Spanish and English names "when referring to the islands";{{sfn|Osmańczyk|2003|p=1373}} its official designation for the territory is "Falkland Islands (Malvinas)".<ref name=std_name>{{cite web | url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49alpha.htm | title= Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications | publisher=United Nations Statistics Division | date=13 February 2013 | accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref>
==History==

== History ==


===Before the Falklands War=== ===Before the Falklands War===
{{main|History of the Falkland Islands|Timeline of the history of the Falkland Islands}} {{main|History of the Falkland Islands|Timeline of the history of the Falkland Islands}}


Controversy exists as to who first discovered the Falkland Islands with competing ], Spanish, and British claims dating back to the 16th century.<ref name=FI-H-00>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2012/feb/02/who-first-owned-falkland-islands? |title=Who first owned the Falkland Islands? |publisher=The Guardian |date= 2 February 2012 |accessdate=11 February 2012}}</ref><ref>], pp.&nbsp;xiv–xv</ref> While ]s from ] could have visited the Falklands,<ref>{{cite journal |author=G. Hattersley-Smith |year=1983 |month=June |title=Fuegian Indians in the Falkland Islands |journal=Polar Record |volume=21 |issue=135 |pages=605–606 |publisher=] |doi=10.1017/S003224740002204X |accessdate=1 February 2012 |url=http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=C6D4151001DCF6AE8937B936C8FDCC62.journals?fromPage=online&aid=5400340 |quote=}}</ref> the islands were uninhabited when discovered by Europeans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Falkland-Islands.html |title=Culture of Falkland Islands history, people, clothing, beliefs, food, life, immigrants, population, religion |accessdate=17 March 2011}}</ref> The first reliable sighting is usually attributed to the Dutch explorer ] in 1600, who named the archipelago the Sebald Islands, a name they bore on Dutch maps into the 19th century.<ref>], pp.&nbsp;45–46</ref> Even though ] from ] possibly visited the Falkland Islands in prehistoric times,<ref>{{cite journal |author=G. Hattersley-Smith |year=1983 |month=June |title=Fuegian Indians in the Falkland Islands |journal=Polar Record |volume=21 |issue=135 |pages=605–606 |publisher= Cambridge University Press |doi=10.1017/S003224740002204X |accessdate=1 February 2012 |url=http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=C6D4151001DCF6AE8937B936C8FDCC62.journals?fromPage=online&aid=5400340}}</ref> the islands were uninhabited at the time of European discovery.{{sfn|Carafano|2005|p=367}} The archipelago's finding is filled with controversial claims dating back to the 16th century.<ref name="M White">{{cite web | author=Michael White | title=Who first owned the Falkland Islands?| publisher=]| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2012/feb/02/who-first-owned-falkland-islands?| date=2 Feruary 2012 |accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref>{{sfn|Goebel|1971|pp=xiv–xv}} Although the islands may have been sighted and named by English explorers in two independent occasions in 1592 and 1594,{{efn-ua|British toponymist ] claims that "he islands' original name was ''Davis Land'', for their discoverer in 1592." He further adds that, in 1594, Sir ] named them ''Hawkins Maidenland'' "in honor of ], the Virgin ('Maiden') Queen."{{sfn|Room|2006|p=129}}}} and likely discovered and named "Sebald Islands" (or "Sebaldines") by ] seafarer ] in 1600,{{efn-ua|Historian Bernadette Hince asserts that "he first definite sighting of the islands was in about 1600, by the Dutch navigator Sebald de Weert."{{sfn|Hince|2001|p=121}} Historian ] also supports this idea and further contends that "they appeared under this name on Dutch maps, and their existence was confirmed in 1614 by the expedition of ] and ]."{{sfn|Dunmore|2005|p=93}}}} no consensus exists in ] "if any of them actually located the Falklands or other south Atlantic islands".<ref name="M White"/> Regardless, the first landing on the Falklands is attributed to English captain ], who, while on a voyage "to the coast of ] and ]",{{sfn|Heawood|2011|p=182}} discovered the Falkland Sound and "noted the water and game on the islands" in 1690.{{sfn|Gustafson|1988|p=5}}{{sfn|Headland|1989|p=66}}

In 1690, Captain ] of the ''Welfare'' en route to ] was driven off course and reached the Falkland Islands instead, landing at Bold Cove. Sailing between the two principal islands, he called the passage "Falkland Channel" (now ]), after Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland, who as Commissioner of the ] had financed the expedition. The island group takes its English name from this body of water.<ref name="Falklands_Info">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history1.html |title=The Discovery of the Falkland Islands |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref>

In 1764, ] and military commander ] founded the first settlement on Berkeley Sound, in present-day ], ].<ref>], pp.&nbsp;226</ref> In 1765, British captain ] explored and claimed ] on ], where he named the harbour ] and a settlement was constructed in 1766.<ref>], pp.&nbsp;232,269</ref> Unaware of the French presence, Byron claimed the island group for ]. Spain acquired the French colony in 1767, and placed it under a governor subordinate to the ]. In 1770, Spain ] and expelled the British presence, ]. War was avoided by a peace treaty and the British return to Port Egmont.<ref name="briefhistory2">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history2.html |title=A brief history of the Falkland Islands Part 2 – Fort St. Louis and Port Egmont |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=8 September 2007}}</ref>

In 1774, economic pressures leading up to the ] forced Great Britain to withdraw from many overseas settlements.<ref name="briefhistory2"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/timeline.html |title=Falkland Islands Timeline: A chronology of events in the history of the Falkland Islands |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=25 August 2011}}</ref> Upon withdrawal, the British left behind a ] asserting Britain's continued claim. Spain maintained its governor until 1806 who, on his departure, left behind a plaque asserting Spanish claims. The remaining settlers were withdrawn in 1811.<ref name="briefhistory2"/>


For subsequent decades, the Falklands remained uninhabited until two separate settlements, one established on ] in 1764 by French captain ] and the other founded on ] in 1765 by British captain John Byron, were set up unaware of one another.{{sfn|Goebel|1971|p=226, 232, 269}}{{efn-ua|Bougainville and Byron claimed the islands in the name of their respective kings, ] of France and ] of Great Britain.{{sfn|Gibran|1998|p=25}}}} After France "relinquished its rights to Spain" in 1766, the Spanish ] in 1767.{{sfn|Segal|1991|p=240}} Problems began when Spain discovered the British settlement at ]; an ], caused by ] in 1770, was avoided by a peace treaty that returned the settlement to Britain.{{sfn|Gibran|1998|p=26}} Yet, the Falklands were again abandoned when the British evacuated them in 1774 and the Spanish followed suit in 1811, except for "a few ]s and fishermen" who remained "to look after themselves".{{sfn|Gibran|1998|pp=26–27}}{{efn-ua|Historian Daniel Gibran posits that Britain's withdrawal was "partly because of new strategic priorities and economic considerations", but "left behind a ]" asserting the territory as "the sole right and property of His Most Sacred Majesty George the Third".{{sfn|Gibran|1998|pp=26–27}} Gibran adds that for the next several years, "Spain, through its ], was the sole administrator of the Falkland Islands". However, the unsuccessful development of the settlement culminated in Spain's withdrawal amidst fears of invasion during the ].{{sfn|Gibran|1998|p=27}}}}
In 1820, storm damage forced the ] '']'' to take shelter in the islands.<ref name="Tatham pp. 308-309">], pp.&nbsp;308–309</ref> Her captain ] raised the flag of the ] and read a proclamation claiming the islands.<ref name="Tatham pp. 308-309"/> This became public knowledge in ] nearly a year later after the proclamation was published in the ''Salem Gazette''.<ref name="Tatham pp. 308-309"/> After several failures, ] established a settlement in 1828 with authorisation from the Republic of Buenos Aires and from Great Britain.<ref name="Tatham">{{cite book |chapter=Luis Vernet |last=Peter Pepper |first=Graham Pascoe |editor=David Tatham |title=The Dictionary of Falklands Biography (Including South Georgia): From Discovery Up to 1981 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0D0VNAAACAAJ |year=2008 |publisher=D. Tatham |isbn=978-0-9558985-0-1 |pages=540–546}}</ref> In 1829, after asking for help from Buenos Aires, he was instead proclaimed Military and Civil Commander of the islands.<ref name="Tatham"/> Additionally, Vernet asked the British to protect his settlement if they returned.<ref>{{cite book |author=Mary Cawkell |title=The history of the Falkland Islands |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YG8VAAAACAAJ |year=2001 |publisher=Anthony Nelson |isbn=978-0-904614-55-8 |page=50}} "On this visit he met Woodbine Parish who expressed great interest in his venture and asked Vernet to prepare a full report on the islands to submit to the British government. On his side Vernet expressed the wish that, in the event of the British returning to the islands, HMG would take his settlement under their protection."</ref>


The status of the archipelago went unchecked until 1820, when ] colonel ], a ] working for the ], informed "the more than 50 ships at anchor" about ]' 1816 claim of possession "over Spain's rights to the islands in the South Atlantic".{{sfn|Marley|2008|p=714}}{{sfn|Gibran|1998|p=27}}{{efn-ua|According to Argentine legal analyst Roberto Laver, the United Kingdom disregards Jewett's actions because the government he represented "was not recognized either by Britain or any other foreign power at the time" and "no act of occupation followed the ceremony of claiming possession".{{sfn|Laver|2001|p=73}}}} However, due to Jewett's inability "to establish his authority over this hard-living crowd",{{sfn|Graham-Yooll|2002|p=48}} coupled with little emigration from Buenos Aires to the islands,{{sfn|Marley|2008|p=714}} the Falklands remained ungoverned until ] re-established the old Spanish settlement under its former French name (]){{efn-ua|Vernet's venture received permission and encouragement from Buenos Aires;{{sfn|Marley|2008|p=714}}{{sfn|Sicker|2002|p=32}} but, prior to departing for the Falklands, Vernet "took his grant to the British Consulate where it received their stamp".{{sfn|Cawkell|2001|p=48}} Historian Mary Cawkell explains that Vernet would again repeat his actions with the British Consulate after "the Buenos Aires Government extended his grant to cover the entire islands and Staten Island and exempted his enterprise from all taxation provided he established a colony within three years".{{sfn|Cawkell|2001|pp=49–50}} Cawkell further claims that the positive relations between Vernet and the British Consulate led the former to express "the wish that, in the event of the British returning to the islands, ] would take his settlement under their protection".{{sfn|Cawkell|2001|p=50}}}} in 1826.{{sfn|Sicker|2002|p=32}}{{sfn|Smith|2006|p=14}} In 1829, Buenos Aires proclaimed Vernet the Military and Civil Commander of the islands.{{sfn|Pascoe|Pepper|2008|pp=540–546}}{{sfn|Laver|2001|p=71}} A dispute over fishing and hunting rights resulted in a raid by the ] warship ] in 1831.{{sfn|Pascoe|Pepper|2008|pp=541–544}}<ref name="briefhistory3">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history3.html |title=A brief history of the Falkland Islands Part 3 |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=14 May 2011}}</ref>{{efn-ua|The log of the ''Lexington'' reports only the destruction of arms and a powder store, but ] made a claim for compensation from the US Government stating that the settlement was destroyed.{{sfn|Pascoe|Pepper|2008|pp=541–544}} (Compensation was rejected by the US Government of President Cleveland in 1885.)}} ''Lexington''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> Captain declared the islands "free from all government", and the seven senior members of the settlement were arrested for piracy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ussduncan.org/silas_page13.htm |title=Silas Duncan and the Falklands' Incident |publisher=USS Duncan Reunion Association |year=2001 |accessdate=25 August 2011 |quote=The letters show that the USS Lexington, under the command of Silas Duncan, visited the Falklands in December, 1831, to investigate complaints by American fishermen that a "band of pirates" was operating from the islands. After finding what he considered proof that at least four American fishing ships had been captured, plundered, and even outfitted for war, Duncan took seven prisoners aboard Lexington and charged them with piracy. The leaders of the prisoners was Louis Vernet, a German, and Matthew Brisbane, an Englishman both of Buenos Aries.}}</ref> and taken to ],<ref name="briefhistory3"/> where they were released without charge on the orders of Commodore Rogers.<ref>], pp.&nbsp;117</ref>
]
A dispute over fishing and hunting rights resulted in a raid by the ] warship ] in 1831.<ref name="Tatham pp. 544">{{cite book |chapter=Luis Vernet |last=Peter Pepper |first=Graham Pascoe |editor=David Tatham |title=The Dictionary of Falklands Biography (Including South Georgia): From Discovery Up to 1981 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0D0VNAAACAAJ |year=2008 |publisher=D. Tatham |isbn=978-0-9558985-0-1 |pages=541–544}}</ref><ref name="briefhistory3">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history3.html |title=A brief history of the Falkland Islands Part 3 |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=14 May 2011}}</ref> The log of the ''Lexington'' reports only the destruction of arms and a powder store, but ] made a claim for compensation from the US Government stating that the settlement was destroyed.<ref name="Tatham pp. 544"/> (Compensation was rejected by the US Government of President Cleveland in 1885.) ''Lexington''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> Captain declared the islands "free from all government", and the seven senior members of the settlement were arrested for piracy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ussduncan.org/silas_page13.htm |title=Silas Duncan and the Falklands' Incident |publisher=USS Duncan Reunion Association |year=2001 |accessdate=25 August 2011 |quote=The letters show that the USS Lexington, under the command of Silas Duncan, visited the Falklands in December, 1831, to investigate complaints by American fishermen that a "band of pirates" was operating from the islands. After finding what he considered proof that at least four American fishing ships had been captured, plundered, and even outfitted for war, Duncan took seven prisoners aboard Lexington and charged them with piracy. The leaders of the prisoners was Louis Vernet, a German, and Matthew Brisbane, an Englishman both of Buenos Aries.}}</ref> and taken to ],<ref name="briefhistory3"/> where they were released without charge on the orders of Commodore Rogers.<ref>], pp.&nbsp;117</ref>


In November 1832, Argentina sent Commander Mestivier as an interim commander to found a penal settlement, but he was killed in a ] after four days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Historical_Dates.html |title=Historical Dates |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=20 December 2010}}</ref> The following January, British forces returned and requested the Argentine garrison leave. Don Pinedo, captain of the ARA ''Sarandi'' and senior officer present, protested but ultimately complied. Vernet's settlement continued, with the ] ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irlandeses.org/fmi.htm |title=The Irish in Falkland/Malvinas Islands |publisher=] |author=Edmundo Murray |accessdate=28 March 2012 |date=1 November 2005}}</ref> tasked with raising the British flag for passing ships.<ref>]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=EHBeagleDiary&viewtype=text&pageseq=304|title=Darwin's Beagle Diary (1831–1836) |page=304 |publisher=The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online |accessdate=23 July 2007}}</ref> Vernet's deputy, ], returned and was encouraged by the British to continue the enterprise. The settlement continued until August 1833, when the leaders were killed in the so-called ]. Subsequently, from 1834 the islands were governed as a British naval station until 1840 when the British Government decided to establish a permanent colony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history4.html |title=A Brief History of the Falkland Islands, Part 4 – The British Colonial Era |accessdate=2 September 2011 |last=Lewis |first=Jason |coauthors=Alison Inglis |quote=In 1839 a British merchant adventurer, G.T. Whittington, formed the Falkland Islands Commercial Fishery and Agricultural Association and tried to put pressure on the British government to proceed with the colonisation of the Falkland Islands. He published a leaflet entitled 'The Falkland Islands' containing material acquired indirectly from Vernet, and then presented to the government a petition signed by owner a hundred London merchants, shipowners and traders demanding that a public meeting be held to discuss the future of the Falkland Islands. In April 1840 he wrote to the Colonial Secretary, Lord Russell, proposing that the islands be colonised by his Association. In May the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners decided that the Falkland Islands were suitable for colonisation.}}</ref> In November 1832, Argentina sent Commander Mestivier as an interim commander to found a penal settlement, but he was killed in a ] after four days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Historical_Dates.html |title=Historical Dates |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=20 December 2010}}</ref> The following January, British forces returned and requested the Argentine garrison leave. Don Pinedo, captain of the ARA ''Sarandi'' and senior officer present, protested but ultimately complied. Vernet's settlement continued, with the ] ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irlandeses.org/fmi.htm |title=The Irish in Falkland/Malvinas Islands |publisher=] |author=Edmundo Murray |accessdate=28 March 2012 |date=1 November 2005}}</ref> tasked with raising the British flag for passing ships.<ref>]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=EHBeagleDiary&viewtype=text&pageseq=304|title=Darwin's Beagle Diary (1831–1836) |page=304 |publisher=The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online |accessdate=23 July 2007}}</ref> Vernet's deputy, ], returned and was encouraged by the British to continue the enterprise. The settlement continued until August 1833, when the leaders were killed in the so-called ]. Subsequently, from 1834 the islands were governed as a British naval station until 1840 when the British Government decided to establish a permanent colony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history4.html |title=A Brief History of the Falkland Islands, Part 4 – The British Colonial Era |accessdate=2 September 2011 |last=Lewis |first=Jason |coauthors=Alison Inglis |quote=In 1839 a British merchant adventurer, G.T. Whittington, formed the Falkland Islands Commercial Fishery and Agricultural Association and tried to put pressure on the British government to proceed with the colonisation of the Falkland Islands. He published a leaflet entitled 'The Falkland Islands' containing material acquired indirectly from Vernet, and then presented to the government a petition signed by owner a hundred London merchants, shipowners and traders demanding that a public meeting be held to discuss the future of the Falkland Islands. In April 1840 he wrote to the Colonial Secretary, Lord Russell, proposing that the islands be colonised by his Association. In May the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners decided that the Falkland Islands were suitable for colonisation.}}</ref>
Line 134: Line 133:
After the war, the British increased their military presence on the islands, constructing ] and increasing the military garrison.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/uk/2002/falklands/guide7.stm |title=Guide to the conflict |work=Fight for the Falklands – Twenty Years On |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=23 August 2011}}</ref> Although the United Kingdom and Argentina resumed diplomatic relations in 1990, no further negotiations on sovereignty have taken place.<ref name="Briefing papers"/> It is believed that 19,000 Argentine ]s<ref> ''Falklands' land mine clearance set to enter a new expanded phase in early 2012'', Mercopress, 8 December 2011</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/05/17/falklands-recover-370-hectares-of-stanley-common-made-minefields-in-1982-by-argentine-forces |title=Falklands recover 370 hectares of Stanley Common made minefields in 1982 by Argentine forces |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=17 May 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Merco Press, Montevideo |accessdate=6 January 2013}}</ref> across an area of 13 square kilometres remain from the 1982 war dispersed in a number of minefields around Stanley, Port Howard, Fox Bay and Goose Green.<ref name="Landmine Monitor">{{cite web |url=http://www.the-monitor.org/index.php/cp/display/region_profiles/theme/1785 |title=Falklands/Malvinas |publisher=International Campaign to Ban Landmines |work=Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor |date=19 September 2011 |accessdate=27 July 2010}}</ref> Information is available from the ] Operation Centre in Stanley.<ref name="Landmine Monitor"/> In 2009, mine clearance began at Surf Bay, and clearances took place at Sapper Hill, Goose Green and Fox Bay. Further clearance work was due to begin in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2011/02/12/falklands-minefield-clearance-next-phase-moves-to-the-capital-stanley-common |title=Falklands' minefield clearance next phase moves to the capital Stanley Common |accessdate =28 March 2011 |date=12 February 2011 |publisher=Mercopress}}</ref> After the war, the British increased their military presence on the islands, constructing ] and increasing the military garrison.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/uk/2002/falklands/guide7.stm |title=Guide to the conflict |work=Fight for the Falklands – Twenty Years On |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=23 August 2011}}</ref> Although the United Kingdom and Argentina resumed diplomatic relations in 1990, no further negotiations on sovereignty have taken place.<ref name="Briefing papers"/> It is believed that 19,000 Argentine ]s<ref> ''Falklands' land mine clearance set to enter a new expanded phase in early 2012'', Mercopress, 8 December 2011</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/05/17/falklands-recover-370-hectares-of-stanley-common-made-minefields-in-1982-by-argentine-forces |title=Falklands recover 370 hectares of Stanley Common made minefields in 1982 by Argentine forces |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=17 May 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Merco Press, Montevideo |accessdate=6 January 2013}}</ref> across an area of 13 square kilometres remain from the 1982 war dispersed in a number of minefields around Stanley, Port Howard, Fox Bay and Goose Green.<ref name="Landmine Monitor">{{cite web |url=http://www.the-monitor.org/index.php/cp/display/region_profiles/theme/1785 |title=Falklands/Malvinas |publisher=International Campaign to Ban Landmines |work=Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor |date=19 September 2011 |accessdate=27 July 2010}}</ref> Information is available from the ] Operation Centre in Stanley.<ref name="Landmine Monitor"/> In 2009, mine clearance began at Surf Bay, and clearances took place at Sapper Hill, Goose Green and Fox Bay. Further clearance work was due to begin in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2011/02/12/falklands-minefield-clearance-next-phase-moves-to-the-capital-stanley-common |title=Falklands' minefield clearance next phase moves to the capital Stanley Common |accessdate =28 March 2011 |date=12 February 2011 |publisher=Mercopress}}</ref>


== Government ==
==Sovereignty dispute==
{{main|Politics of the Falkland Islands}}
] of the Falkland Islands is the Governor's ].]]

The Falkland Islands are a self-governing ].{{sfn|Cahill|2010|p="Falkland Islands"}} Under the ], the islands have greater democratic autonomy, "while retaining sufficient powers for the UK Government to protect UK interests and to ensure the overall good governance of the territory".<ref name="Constitution">{{cite news |title=New Year begins with a new Constitution for the Falklands |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2009/01/01/new-year-begins-with-a-new-constitution-for-the-falklands |publisher=MercoPress |date=1 January 2009 | accessdate=9 July 2013}}</ref> The ] is the ], but ] is exercised on the monarch's behalf by the ]. The islands' ], appointed by the Governor, is the ].<ref name=constitutiontext>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/2846/pdfs/uksi_20082846_en.pdf|title=The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008 |publisher=The Queen in Council |date=5 November 2008 |accessdate=9 July 2013}}</ref> The islands' current Governor, ], was appointed on October 2010;{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Government"}} the current Chief Executive, ], was appointed on March 2012.<ref name="Padgett">{{cite news |title=Keith Padgett, first Falklands’ government CE recruited in the Islands |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/03/07/keith-padgett-first-falklands-government-ce-recruited-in-the-islands |publisher=MercoPress |date=7 March 2012 | accessdate=9 July 2013}}</ref>

The Governor acts on the advice of the islands' ], composed by the Chief Executive, the ], three elected members of the ], and the Governor as chairman.<ref name=constitutiontext/> The Legislative Assembly, a ], consists of the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance, and eight members (five from ] and three from ]) elected for four-year terms by ].<ref name=constitutiontext/> All politicians in the Falkland Islands are ]; no ] exist in the islands.{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Government"}}

The islands' judicial system, overseen by the ], is largely based on ]. Crime control and prisons are under the responsibility of the ] (RFIP).{{sfn|Sainato|2010|pp=157-158}} ] of the islands is provided by the United Kingdom.{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Transportation"}} A British military garrison is stationed in the islands, and the Falkland Islands government funds an additional ]-sized ] ].<ref name=timesfidf>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7052002.ece |title=Falklands Defence Force better equipped than ever, says commanding officer |date=6 March 2010 |last=Fletcher |first=Martin |newspaper=The Times |accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>

=== Sovereignty dispute ===
{{main|Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute}} {{main|Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute}}
] ]


The United Kingdom and Argentina both claim ownership for the Falkland Islands. The UK bases its position on continuous administration of the islands since 1833 (apart from ]) and the islanders having a "right to self determination, including their right to remain British if that is their wish".<ref name=FCO>{{cite web |url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/south-america/falkland-islands/ |title=Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory) |publisher=United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office |work=Travel & living abroad |accessdate=17 May 2011}}</ref> Argentina posits that it gained the Falkland Islands from Spain, upon becoming ] from it in 1816, and that the UK illegally occupied them in 1833.<ref name=RIS>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.ar/portal/seree/malvinas/homeing.html |title=Argentina’s Position on Different Aspects of the Question of the Malvinas Islands |publisher=Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores}}</ref> The United Kingdom and Argentina claim control over the Falkland Islands and its ]. The UK bases its position on continuous administration of the islands since 1833 (apart from ]) and the islanders having a "right to self determination, including their right to remain British if that is their wish".<ref name=FCO>{{cite web |url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/south-america/falkland-islands/ |title=Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory) |publisher=United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office |work=Travel & living abroad |accessdate=17 May 2011}}</ref> Argentina posits that it acquired the Falklands from Spain, upon ] in 1816, and that the UK illegally occupied them in 1833.<ref name=RIS>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.ar/portal/seree/malvinas/homeing.html |title=Argentina’s Position on Different Aspects of the Question of the Malvinas Islands |publisher=Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores}}</ref>


The present dispute began shortly after the passage, in 1960, of the ] 1514 on ]. Argentina then reasserted its sovereignty claims "before the United Nations special committee for non-self-governing territories". In 1965, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2065, which "called upon both Britain and Argentina to peacefully settle the dispute through bilateral negotiations".{{sfn|Laver|2001|p=125}}
The present dispute began in 1945, shortly after the formation of the United Nations, when Argentina reasserted its claim of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and its ] (primarily South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands).<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110606073350/http://www.raf.mod.uk/falklands/preface.html |archivedate=6 June 2011 |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/falklands/preface.html |work=The Falkland Islands – A history of the 1982 conflict |title=Preface to a conflict |publisher=Royal Air Force |accessdate=6 February 2012}}</ref> In 1964, the United Nations passed a ] calling on the UK and Argentina to proceed with negotiations over the sovereignty dispute.<ref name="UN2065">. Falkland Islands Information Portal.</ref>


Later that decade, intending to improve its relations with South America by transferring the Falkland Islands (with provisions to protect the islanders' way of life), the United Kingdom secretly discussed the subject with Argentina. However, when the news became public, the Falklanders protested against the plans. As a result, the UK increased its focus on the Islanders' ]; Argentina disagreed, and negotiations effectively remained at a stalemate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1987/CRD.htm |title=<nowiki>The Argentine Seizure Of The Malvinas Islands: History and Diplomacy</nowiki> |last=Chenette |first=Richard D |date=4 May 1987 |publisher=Marine Corps Staff and Command College}}</ref><ref name="GrahamBound">Bound, Graham. ''Falkland Islanders at War'', Pen & Swords Ltd, 2002 ISBN 1-84415-429-7</ref> Subsequent talks between the two nations took place until 1981, but they failed to reach a conclusion on sovereignty.<ref name="Guardian">. ''The Guardian''. 28 June 2005. Retrieved on 20 November 2011.</ref> Later that decade, intending to improve its relations with South America by transferring the Falkland Islands (with provisions to protect the islanders' way of life), the United Kingdom secretly discussed the subject with Argentina. However, when the news became public, the Falklanders protested against the plans. As a result, the UK increased its focus on the Islanders' ]; Argentina disagreed, and negotiations effectively remained at a stalemate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1987/CRD.htm |title=The Argentine Seizure Of The Malvinas Islands: History and Diplomacy |last=Chenette |first=Richard D |date=4 May 1987 |publisher=Marine Corps Staff and Command College}}</ref><ref name="GrahamBound">Bound, Graham. ''Falkland Islanders at War'', Pen & Swords Ltd, 2002 ISBN 1-84415-429-7</ref> Subsequent talks between the two nations took place until 1981, but they failed to reach a conclusion on sovereignty.<ref name="Guardian">. ''The Guardian''. 28 June 2005. Retrieved on 20 November 2011.</ref>


Diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Argentina, which were severed at the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982, were re-established in 1990.<ref name="Briefing papers">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN05602.pdf |title=Argentina and the Falkland Islands |publisher=House of Commons Library |date=22 June 2010 |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref> In 2007, Argentina reasserted its claim over the Falkland Islands, asking for the UK to resume talks on sovereignty.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina Reasserts Claim to Falkland Islands |date=3 January 2007 |publisher=Voice of America |url=http://voanews.com/english/archive/2007-01/2007-01-03-voa29.cfm |work=VOA News |pages= |accessdate=3 January 2009}}{{dead link|date=February 2012}}</ref> In 2009, British prime minister ] met with Argentine president ] and declared that there would be no talks over the future sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.<ref name="Vinadelmar">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7969463.stm |title=No talks on Falklands, says Brown |publisher=BBC News |date=28 March 2009 |accessdate=11 February 2012}}</ref> As far as the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands are concerned, no pending issue to resolve exists.<ref name="Leonard">{{cite news |title=Falkland Islands: Argentina can't scare us, say islanders |last=Leonard |first=Tom |newspaper=] |location=London |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/7287195/Falkland-Islands-Argentina-cant-scare-us-say-islanders.html |date=22 February 2010 |accessdate=13 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/28/falkland-islands-sovereignty-argentina |title=Falkland Islands sovereignty talks out of the question, says Gordon Brown |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 March 2009 |accessdate=29 April 2009 |first=Nicholas |last=Watt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/overview.php |title=Falkland Islands Government Overview |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> Diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Argentina, which were severed at the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982, were re-established in 1990.<ref name="Briefing papers">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN05602.pdf |title=Argentina and the Falkland Islands |publisher=House of Commons Library |date=22 June 2010 |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref> In 2007, Argentina reasserted its claim over the Falkland Islands, asking for the UK to resume talks on sovereignty.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina Reasserts Claim to Falkland Islands |date=3 January 2007 |publisher=Voice of America |url=http://voanews.com/english/archive/2007-01/2007-01-03-voa29.cfm |work=VOA News |pages= |accessdate=3 January 2009}}{{dead link|date=February 2012}}</ref> In 2009, British prime minister ] met with Argentine president ] and declared that there would be no talks over the future sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.<ref name="Vinadelmar">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7969463.stm |title=No talks on Falklands, says Brown |publisher=BBC News |date=28 March 2009 |accessdate=11 February 2012}}</ref> As far as the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands are concerned, no pending issue to resolve exists.<ref name="Leonard">{{cite news |title=Falkland Islands: Argentina can't scare us, say islanders |last=Leonard |first=Tom |newspaper=] |location=London |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/7287195/Falkland-Islands-Argentina-cant-scare-us-say-islanders.html |date=22 February 2010 |accessdate=13 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/28/falkland-islands-sovereignty-argentina |title=Falkland Islands sovereignty talks out of the question, says Gordon Brown |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 March 2009 |accessdate=29 April 2009 |first=Nicholas |last=Watt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/overview.php |title=Falkland Islands Government Overview |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref>


Modern Falkland Islanders continue to reject the Argentine sovereignty claim. In 2010, Falklands ] Tom Leonard of '']'', wrote that "The 3,000-strong community is already proudly British . The younger islanders may not share the older generation’s memories but there is clearly no love lost with the Argentines among them."<ref name="Leonard"/> On 10 and 11 March 2013, the Falkland Islands held a ] over its political status, and voters favoured (99.8%) remaining under British rule.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21731760 |title=Falklands referendum: Islanders vote on British status.|publisher=BBC |date=10 March 2013 |accessdate=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="">{{cite news Modern Falkland Islanders continue to reject the Argentine sovereignty claim. In 2010, Falklands ] Tom Leonard of '']'', wrote that "The 3,000-strong community is already proudly British . The younger islanders may not share the older generation’s memories but there is clearly no love lost with the Argentines among them."<ref name="Leonard"/> On 10 and 11 March 2013, the Falkland Islands held a ] over its political status, and voters favoured (99.8%) remaining under British rule.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21731760 |title=Falklands referendum: Islanders vote on British status.|publisher=BBC |date=10 March 2013 |accessdate=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last= Brindicci and Bustamante | last= Brindicci and Bustamante
| first=Marcos and Juan | first=Marcos and Juan
Line 157: Line 166:
Contemporary Argentine policy maintains the position that modern Falkland Islanders do not have a right to self-determination. Argentina claims that, in 1833, the UK expelled Argentine authorities and settlers from the Falklands with a threat of "greater force" and that the UK afterwards barred Argentines from resettling the islands.<ref name="RIS"/><ref name="Reisman1983">{{cite book |author=Reisman, W. Michael |title=The struggle for the Falklands |url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/ylr93&div=24&collection=journals&set_as_cursor=41&men_tab=srchresults |year=1983 |publisher=The Yale Law Journal |page=306}}</ref> Argentina reiterated its position towards the Falklanders in 2012, after a meeting of the UN Decolonization Committee, when its representatives refused to accept a letter from the Falkland Islands offering the opening of direct talks between both governments.<ref> Summers invites Argentina to sit down and enter into a dialogue with the people of the Falklands</ref> Moreover, in 2013, Argentina ] the Falkland Islands' sovereignty referendum. Argentina only recognises the UK government as a legitimate partner in negotiations;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/12/falkland-islands-referendum-votes-yes|title=Falkland Islands: respect overwhelming 'yes' vote, Cameron tells Argentina|publisher=The Guardian|date=12 March 2013|accessdate=12 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://noticias.terra.com/eeuu/malvinas-canciller-argentino-no-acepta-carta-de-los-islenos-afp,f757ebc82ece7310VgnVCM10000098cceb0aRCRD.html| title=Canciller argentino no acepta carta de los isleños |publisher=Terra |date=14 June 2012 |accessdate=27 November 2012}}</ref> and considers the islands, along with ], as part of the Islas del Atlántico Sur department of ] province.<ref>, Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur</ref> Contemporary Argentine policy maintains the position that modern Falkland Islanders do not have a right to self-determination. Argentina claims that, in 1833, the UK expelled Argentine authorities and settlers from the Falklands with a threat of "greater force" and that the UK afterwards barred Argentines from resettling the islands.<ref name="RIS"/><ref name="Reisman1983">{{cite book |author=Reisman, W. Michael |title=The struggle for the Falklands |url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/ylr93&div=24&collection=journals&set_as_cursor=41&men_tab=srchresults |year=1983 |publisher=The Yale Law Journal |page=306}}</ref> Argentina reiterated its position towards the Falklanders in 2012, after a meeting of the UN Decolonization Committee, when its representatives refused to accept a letter from the Falkland Islands offering the opening of direct talks between both governments.<ref> Summers invites Argentina to sit down and enter into a dialogue with the people of the Falklands</ref> Moreover, in 2013, Argentina ] the Falkland Islands' sovereignty referendum. Argentina only recognises the UK government as a legitimate partner in negotiations;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/12/falkland-islands-referendum-votes-yes|title=Falkland Islands: respect overwhelming 'yes' vote, Cameron tells Argentina|publisher=The Guardian|date=12 March 2013|accessdate=12 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://noticias.terra.com/eeuu/malvinas-canciller-argentino-no-acepta-carta-de-los-islenos-afp,f757ebc82ece7310VgnVCM10000098cceb0aRCRD.html| title=Canciller argentino no acepta carta de los isleños |publisher=Terra |date=14 June 2012 |accessdate=27 November 2012}}</ref> and considers the islands, along with ], as part of the Islas del Atlántico Sur department of ] province.<ref>, Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur</ref>


== Geography ==
==Politics and government==
{{main|Politics of the Falkland Islands}} {{main|Geography of the Falkland Islands}}
]


The Falkland Islands have a total land area of {{convert|12173|sqkm|abbr=off|disp=flip}} and a ] estimated at {{convert|1288|km|mi|disp=flip}}.{{sfn|Sainato|2010|p=157}}{{sfn|Guo|2007|p=112}} Two main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland, and about 776 smaller islands comprise the archipelago.{{sfn|Sainato|2010|p=157}} The Falklands are ] fragments that resulted from "the break-up of ] and the opening of the South Atlantic that began 130 million years ago". The islands are located in the ], on the ], and {{convert|500|km|abbr=off|disp=flip}} east of Patagonia in southern Argentina.{{sfn|Klügel|2009|p=66}}
The islands are a ] which, under the ], enjoys a large degree of internal self-government, with the United Kingdom guaranteeing good government and taking responsibility for defence and foreign affairs.<ref name="Constitution">{{cite news |title=New Year begins with a new Constitution for the Falklands |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2009/01/01/new-year-begins-with-a-new-constitution-for-the-falklands |publisher=MercoPress |date=1 January 2009 |postscript=Links to the text of the constitution. |accessdate=14 March 2011}}</ref><ref name=constitutiontext>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/2846/pdfs/uksi_20082846_en.pdf|title=The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008 |publisher=The Queen in Council |date=5 November 2008 |accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref>


The Falklands approximately lie at ] {{nowrap|51°40′}} - {{nowrap|53°00′ S}} and ] {{nowrap|57°40′}} - {{nowrap|62°00′ W}}.{{sfn|Guo|2007|p=112}} The archipelago's two main islands are separated by the Falkland Sound,{{sfn|Hemmerle|2005|p=318}} and its deep coastal indentations form ]s.{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Geography"}}{{sfn|Blouet|Blouet|2009|p=100}} East Falkland houses Stanley, the capital and largest city,{{sfn|Guo|2007|p=112}} the U.K. ] at RAF Mount Pleasant, and the archipelago's highest point, ], at {{convert|705|m|ft|disp=flip}}.{{sfn|Hemmerle|2005|p=318}}
] is vested in the ] and is exercised by the ] on her behalf. The Governor is also responsible for the administration of ], as these islands have no native inhabitants. The governor acts on the advice of the ], composed of himself as chairman, the ], ] and three elected Legislative Assembly Members.<ref name = constitutiontext/> The current Governor ] took office in October 2010.<ref name=HaywoodGovernor>{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2009/09/01/british-consul-in-basra-next-falkland-islands-governor |title=British consul in Basra next Falkland Islands governor |publisher=MercoPress |date=1 September 2009 |author=Lisa Watson |accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>


] in the Falklands are predominantly ]ous and ]y,{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Geography"}} with the major exception being the "low-lying" flat ]s terrain of ], a ] forming the southern part of East Falkland.{{sfn|Trewby|2002|p=79}} ] is usually "cold, windy, and humid ]".{{sfn|Klügel|2009|p=66}} Rainfall is common "on more than half of days in year", averaging {{convert|610|mm}} in Stanley, and light snowfall occurs sporadically "throughout most of the year". Also prevalent on the islands are "strong ]" and cloudy skies.{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Geography"}}
The ] consists of the Chief Executive, Director of Finance and the eight members elected for four-year terms by ], of whom five are from ] and three from ].<ref name=constitutiontext/> There are no political parties, and no formal opposition. It is presided over by the ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/ |title=Welcome to the Falkland Islands Government Legislative Assembly Website |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref> - as of 2012 ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/The_Assembly.html |title=The Speaker |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref> The ], the first under the 2009 constitution, took place on Thursday 5 November 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk//documents/6%20Nov%20-%20Election.pdf |title=Record Turnout in First Falklands Election Held Under New Constitution |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |date=6 November 2009 |accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref>


== Biodiversity ==
] is administered by a resident senior magistrate and a non-resident Chief Justice of the islands who visits the islands at least once a year. The senior magistrate handles petty criminal cases, civil, commercial, admiralty and family cases and is also the island's coroner. The Chief Justice handles serious criminal cases and hears appeals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Government.html |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |title=Government |accessdate=14 March 2011}}</ref> The constitution binds the judiciary to comply with decisions of the ] when hearing cases related to ].<ref name=constitutiontext/>
{{main|Wildlife of the Falkland Islands}}
]s at ].]]


], the Falkland Islands are classified as part of the "mild" ].{{sfn|Jónsdóttir|2007|pp=84-86}} Strong connections exist with the flora and fauna of ] in mainland South America.<ref name="epk">{{cite web |url=http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/Falkland%20Islands%20State%20of%20the%20Environment%20Report%202008_final_sm.pdf |title=Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 |last1=Otley |first1=Helen |last2=Munro |first2=Grant |last3=Clausen |first3=Andrea |last4=Ingham |first4=Becky |publisher=Environmental Planning Department Falkland Islands Government |date=May 2008 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> Land birds make up most of the Falklands' ], followed by ]s; a total of 63 species breed on the islands, including 16 ] species.{{sfn|Clark|Dingwall|1985|p=131}} ] diversity in the islands is also abundant.{{sfn|Clark|Dingwall|1985|p=132}} The Falklands' diverse flora has 163 native ].{{sfn|Clark|Dingwall|1985|p=129}} The islands' only endemic ], the ] or Falkland Islands fox, was hunted to ] by European settlers.{{sfn|Hince|2001|p=370}}
Freedom of expression in the Falkland Islands is guaranteed by the constitution, with the United Kingdom's superior courts explicitly empowered to hear appeals.<ref name=constitutiontext/> Freedom of the press is comparable to that of the United Kingdom;<ref name=pressreference/> which, in turn, in the view of many ], is significantly better than that of any other South American country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html |title=Press Freedom Index 2010 |publisher=Reporters without borders |date=20 October 2010 |accessdate=27 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.photius.com/rankings/freedom_of_the_press_2008.html |title=Freedom of the Press 2008 – Country Rankings |publisher=Information Technology Associates |accessdate=4 April 2011}}</ref>


The Falkland Islands are frequented by ]s such as the ] and the ]. Offshore islands house the rare ]. Fish endemic to the islands are mostly from the genus '']''.{{sfn|Clark|Dingwall|1985|p=132}} The Falklands are "naturally treeless" and with a wind-resistant vegetation that, although varied, is "dominated by ]s".{{sfn|Jónsdóttir|2007|p=85}}
===Military===
{{main|Military of the Falkland Islands}}
].]]


Virtually the entire area of the islands is used as ] for ].<ref name=CIA/> Introduced species include ]s, hares, rabbits, ]es, pigs, horses, ]s, and cats.{{sfn|Bell|2007|p=544}} The detrimental impact several of these species have caused to native flora and fauna has led authorities to contain, remove, or exterminate invasive species such as foxes, rabbits, and rats. Endemic land animals have been the most affected by introduced species.{{sfn|Bell|2007|pp=542–545}} The extent of ] on the Falklands is currenty unclear due to little long-term data on habitat changes.<ref name="epk"/>
A British military garrison is stationed on the Falkland Islands, and the islands also have a ]-sized ] ] (FIDF) that is completely funded by the ] (£400,000 in 2009).<ref name=timesfidf>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7052002.ece |title=Falklands Defence Force better equipped than ever, says commanding officer |date=6 March 2010 |last=Fletcher |first=Martin |newspaper=The Times |accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> The unit is trained under a secondment arrangement with the ] – {{As of|2010|lc=on}} the FIDF employed a ] ] as a permanent staff instructor and a major as commanding officer; the rest of the force are part-timers. It is equipped with ]s, ]s and ]s and is armed with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and sniper rifles. In addition to defence duties, the force provides a mountain rescue service and has been trained by the ] in mounting armed deterrence against illegal fishing activity.<ref name=timesfidf/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/histarticle24.html |title=Falkland Islands Defence Force: 150 years of Voluntary Service |last=Biggs |first=Peter |publisher=Falklands.info |date=November 2004 |accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>


===Education=== == Economy ==
{{main|Education in the Falkland Islands}} {{main|Economy of the Falkland Islands}}
] is the main financial center of the Falkland Islands' economy.{{sfn|Royle|2001|p=171}}]]


The economy of the Falkland Islands is classified as the 222nd largest in the world by ] (]), and ranks 9th in the globe by ].<ref name=CIA/> ] is currently at a 4.1% rate, and ] was last calculated at a 1.2% rate in 2003.<ref name=CIA/> Based on 2010 data, the islands have a very high ] of .874,{{sfn|Avakov|2013|p=47}} but a medium ] for ] of 34.17.{{sfn|Avakov|2013|p=54}}
The islands have approximately 380 children between the ages of 5 and 16 (excluding families of military personnel).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/documents/Census%20Report%202006.pdf |title=Falkland Islands Census Statistics 2006 |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=19 March 2011}}</ref> Their education, which follows the English system, is free and compulsory. Primary education is available at Stanley where there are boarding facilities, at ] for children of service personnel and at a number of rural settlements where remote learning is supported by the Stanley based Camp Education Unit. The Islands' only secondary school is in Stanley and offers boarding facilities and 12 subjects to ] level. After 16, suitably qualified students may study at two colleges in England for their A-levels or for vocational qualifications. The Falkland Islands government pays for older students to attend higher education, usually in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Education.html |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |title=Education |accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref>


] was historically advanced by ] and sheep farming for high-quality ].{{sfn|Royle|2001|p=170}}{{sfn|Calvert|2004|p=134}} In the 1980s, while ]s and ranch underinvestment considerably hurt the sheep farming sector, the Falkland Islands government found a major source of profit through the establishment of an ] and the sale of fishing licenses to "anybody wishing to fish within this zone".{{sfn|Royle|2001|p=170}} Since the end of the Falklands War in 1982, the islands' economic activity increasingly focused on ] ] and ].{{sfn|Hemmerle|2005|p=319}}
===Medical care===
The Falkland Islands Government Health and Social Services Department provides free medical and dental care for the islands.<ref name=fighealth>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Health_Services.html |title=Health Services |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=24 May 2010}}</ref> The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), completed in 1987, is Stanley's only hospital. It is run jointly by the Falkland Islands Government and the UK Ministry of Defence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/140416/140425/falkland_islands/ |title=United Kingdom – Falkland Islands |publisher=Commonwealth Secretariat |year=2011 |accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> Specialist medical care is provided by visiting ophthalmologists, gynaecologists, ENT surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, oral surgeons and psychiatrists from the United Kingdom. Patients needing emergency treatment are air-lifted to the United Kingdom or to ] (]).<ref name=fighealth/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/south-america/falkland-islands |title=South America and South Atlantic Islands – Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory) |publisher=United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office |date=18 March 2010 |accessdate=24 May 2010}}</ref>


Recent years have seen the port city of Stanley regain the islands' economic focus along with an increase in population due to workers migrating from ].{{sfn|Royle|2001|pp=170-171}} Fear of dependence on the selling of fishing licenses, and threats from ], ], and fish ]s have increased interest on ] as an alternative source of revenue. Nonetheless, exploration efforts have yet to find "exploitable reserves".{{sfn|Royle|2001|p=171}}
==Geography==
{{main|Geography of the Falkland Islands}}
]


], primarily in the form of ] and ], accounts for 95% of the Falkland Islands' gross domestic product, followed by ] and ] at 5%.{{sfn|Central Intelligence Agency|2011|p="Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Economy"}} Present development projects in education and sports have been funded by the Falklands government without aid from the United Kingdom.{{sfn|Royle|2001|p=170}} The islands' major exports include wool, ], ], fish, and ]; its main imports include fuel, ]s, and clothing.<ref name=CIA/>
The Falkland Islands are located in the ] on a projection of the ] about {{convert|500|km|abbr=off|disp=flip}} east of the ]n coastline and about {{convert|450|km|abbr=off|disp=flip}} north-east of the southerly tip of ]. In ancient geological time, this shelf was part of ], which, around 400 million years ago, broke from what is now Africa and drifted westwards relative to Africa.<ref name="epk">{{cite web |url=http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/Falkland%20Islands%20State%20of%20the%20Environment%20Report%202008_final_sm.pdf |title=Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 |last1=Otley |first1=Helen |last2=Munro |first2=Grant |last3=Clausen |first3=Andrea |last4=Ingham |first4=Becky |publisher=Environmental Planning Department Falkland Islands Government |date=May 2008 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref>


== Demographics ==
The Falklands, which have a total land area of {{convert|12173|sqkm|abbr=off|disp=flip}} and a ] estimated at {{convert|3500|km|mi|disp=flip}}<ref name="EU">{{cite web |url=http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/maritime-boundaries/inventory_report/inventory_report/at_download/file |title=D2.1.1 Inventory Report |work=European Coastal Erosion database |publisher=European Commission |page=122 |year=2002 |first1=Hervé |last1=Pichon |first2=Nicolas |last2=Rolland |first3=Nadège |last3=Orlova |first4=Stéphane |last4=Lombardo |accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> comprise two main islands, ] and ] and about 776 smaller islands. The two principal islands lie between {{nowrap|51°15′ S}} and {{nowrap|52°25′ S}} and between {{nowrap|57°40′ W}} and {{nowrap|61°05′ W}}<ref>Measurements taken from ].</ref> and are {{convert|220|km|mi|disp=flip}} from east to west and {{convert|140|km|mi|disp=flip}} from north to south.<ref name=IAWF/> They are heavily indented by sounds and ]s and have many natural harbours.<ref name="islands">{{cite web |title=The Islands: Location |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Location.html |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> The two main islands are separated by the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/200784/Falkland-Sound |title=Falkland Sound |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> It is however believed that at times during the ], the seabed was some {{convert|46|m|ft}} lower than the present time&ndash;sufficient for the sound to be bridged.<ref>{{cite journal |title = New Evidence of Sea-level Changes in the Falkland Islands
{{see also|Origins of Falkland Islanders}}
|first1 = Raymond J
], Stanley, with an arch made of whale bone.]]
|last1 = Adie
|id = Scientific Report No 9
|publisher = Falkland Island Dependency Survey, Colonial Office
|year = 1953
|url = http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/documents/scientific_reports/rep009.zip
|at=Introduction
|accessdate = 17 May 2013}}</ref>


The Falkland Islands are a predominantly ] society, with the majority of its inhabitants descending from the ] and ] immigrants who colonized the territory in 1833.{{sfn|Laver|2001|p=9}}{{efn-ua|Roberto Laver argues this is likely the result of government policies which successfully reduced the number of non-British populations that at one point also inhabited the archipelago. Laver claims that "naturalization ordinances" in the first decades of the British colony "show a wide variety of settlers from places in Europe, Northern, and Central America, and a couple from Argentina".{{sfn|Laver|2001|p=9}}}} Nevertheless, in recent times, immigration from the United Kingdom, ], and ] has "reversed a former gradual decline in the island population".{{sfn|Minahan|2013|p=139}} The legal term for having the right of residence is "]".<ref name=constitutiontext/> The passage of the ] provided Falkland Islanders with ].{{sfn|Laver|2001|p=9}}
East Falkland, which contains the capital ] and the British military base at ], is the more populous of the two main islands.<ref name="Backgroundgeography">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/background/geography.html |title=Geography |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=24 July 2010}}</ref>


In the 2012 census, a majority of residents described their nationality as ] (59%), followed by ] (29%), Saint Helenian (9.8%), and ] (5.4%).<ref name = census2012/> A small number of ] also reside in the islands.{{efn-ua|In the 2013 Falkland Islands sovereignty referendum, "18 Argentines on the electoral register".<ref name="mercopress">{{cite news | url=http://en.mercopress.com/2013/06/28/falklands-referendum-voters-from-many-countries-around-the-world-voted-yes | title=Falklands Referendum: Voters from many countries around the world voted Yes | work=MercoPress | date=28 June 2013 | accessdate=22 July 2013}}</ref>}} The 2006 census showed some Falklands residents identified as descendants of ], ]s, and ]ns.<ref name=2006Census>{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20101216182057/http://www.falklands.gov.fk//documents/Census%20Report%202006.pdf |title=Falkland Islands Census Statistics, 2006 |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=4 June 2010}}</ref> Despite that same census indicated that only a third of residents were born on the archipelago, some foreign-born residents "have become assimilated" with the local culture.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6683677.stm |title=Falklands questions answered |publisher=BBC News |date=4 June 2007 |accessdate=22 July 2013}}</ref>
Both West Falkland and the northern part of East Falkland have ]s that are underlaid with ] rock, which, as a result of secondary forces associated with ] are at 120° to each other.<ref name="seabirds">{{cite web |url=http://www.seabirds.org/data.htm |author=Mike Bingham |title=Falklands/Falkland Islands |publisher=International Penguin Conservation Work Group |accessdate=24 March 2011}}</ref> The highest point of the islands is ], {{convert|705|m|ft|disp=flip}} on East Falkland, while ] on West Falkland is only {{convert|5|m|ft|disp=flip}} lower.<ref name="Backgroundgeography"/>


The Falkland Islands are the ]. According to the 2012 census, the average daily population of the Falklands was 2,932 (excluding ] personnel and families based at RAF Mount Pleasant).{{efn-ua|Also, 91 Falklands residents were overseas at the time of the 2012 census.<ref name = census2012/>}} Stanley, with a population of 2,121, is the most populated location in the archipelago, followed by Mount Pleasant (369 residents, mostly air base contractors), and Camp (351 people).<ref name = census2012/>
The southern part of East Falkland, the Lafonia Peninsula, which is connected to the rest of the island by a {{convert|4|km|mi|disp=flip}} narrow isthmus, is dissimilar to the rest of the island. Most of Lafonia is a flat plain underlain by younger ] rock, but in the north west is ] rock which is similar to that of parts of Ecca Pass in South Africa.<ref name="seabirds"/><ref name="Britlinks">{{cite web |url=http://www.britlink.org/eastfalkland.html |title=East Falkland Island |publisher=Britlink.org |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref>


Age distribution in the islands is skewed towards people of working age {{nowrap|(20–60)}}. Males outnumber females (53 to 47%) with the deviation being most prominent in the {{nowrap|20–60}} age group.<ref name=2006Census/> In the 2006 census, most of the islanders identified themselves as being ]s (67.2%), followed by those who refused to answer or had no religious affiliation (31.5%). The remaining 1.3% (39 individuals) identified as adherents of other faiths.<ref name=2006Census/> The Falklands have three churches: the ], the ], and the ].<ref name=FCO/>
===Climate===
{{main|Climate of the Falkland Islands}}


], which follows the English system, is free and compulsory.<ref name=EDU>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Education.html |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |title=Education |accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref> Primary education is available at Stanley, RAF Mount Pleasant (for children of service personnel), and at a number of rural settlements. Secondary education is only available in Stanley, which offers ] and 12 subjects to ] (GCSE) level. Students aged 16 or older may study at colleges in England for their ] or vocational qualifications. The Falkland Islands government pays for older students to attend higher education, usually in the United Kingdom.<ref name=EDU/>
The Falkland Islands lie on the transition area between ] climates (] ''cfc'') and ] ] (Köppen ''ET'') zones<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |title=Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification |first1=M. C. |last1=Peel |first2=B. L. |last2=Finlayson |first3=T. A. |last3=McMahon1 |journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. |number=11 |pages=1633–1644 |year=2007 |publisher=Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union |accessdate=18 November 2012}}</ref> that is very much influenced by the proximity of the ], the cool ] ocean with its northerly Patagonian current and the ] land mass some {{convert|1100|km|disp=flip}} to the south<ref name=IAWF>{{cite web |url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met/momu/International_Antarctic_Weather_Forecasting_Handbook/7.2_Sub_Antarctic_Islands.php |title=Representative sub–Antarctic Islands: 7.2.1 - The Falkland Islands |work=The International Antarctic Weather Forecasting Handbook |publisher=] |first1=John |last1=Turner |first2=Steve |last2=Pendlebury |date=5 November 2008 |accessdate=12 June 2012}}</ref> giving the islands a narrow annual temperature range. The January average maximum temperature is about 15°C (59°F), and the July maximum average temperature is about 5°C (41°F). The average rainfall in Stanley is {{convert|604|mm}};<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falkland-islands.climatemps.com/ |title=Stanley, Falkland Islands |publisher=climatetemps.com |accessdate=10 July 2012}}</ref> in East Falkland as a whole it is {{convert|534|mm}}; and in West Falkland as a whole it is {{convert|555|mm}}; with the flat areas (and in particular ], where the average annual rainfall falls to 400&nbsp;mm or lower) being much drier than the mountainous areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/10.0%20FI%20Climate%20Change%20Project.pdf |title=Climate Change in the Falkland Islands – A Project by the United Kingdom Falkland Islands Trust. |first=Jim |last=McAdam |publisher=United Kingdom Falkland Islands Trust |date=15 March 2012 |accessdate=14 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |url=http://www.newportminster.org/canon_stephen_palmer_thesis.php |type=Ph.D. |first=Stephen |last=Palmer |title=An account and appraisal of some aspects of the human involvement with the natural environment of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia |chapter=Section 3. Geography and climate |publisher=University of Portsmouth |date=June 2004}}</ref> ] and winds are however constantly high. Snow and sleet are frequent in winter, although snowfall is rarely deep. Gales are very frequent, particularly in winter.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/country_guides/newsid_9383000/9383965.stm |title=Falkland Islands |publisher=BBC News |date=22 March 2011 |accessdate=18 August 2011}}</ref>


== Culture ==
Weather conditions are known to be extremely changeable, with it not being unusual to face all four seasons in one afternoon. The reason for this is the many wind directions resulting in many air masses mixing at the ], which is often an area of low pressures.
{{main|Culture of the Falkland Islands}}
]


Falklands culture is fundamentally "based on the British culture brought with the settlers from the ]", though it has been partly influenced by the cultures of ].{{sfn|Minahan|2013|p=139}} Some terms and toponyms used by the islands' former ] inhabitants are still commonly used in local speech.{{sfn|Wagstaff|2001|p=21}} The Falklands' predominant language is ], and part of the population (2.5%) is ].{{sfn|Minahan|2013|p=139}} According to naturalist ], "the Falkland Islands are a very social place, and stopping for a chat is a way of life".{{sfn|Wagstaff|2001|p=21}}
While being located as far south as the UK is north, the absence of a warming current like the ] means temperatures are considerably colder than comparable areas in North West Europe. Weather forecasts are given by a local branch of the UK's ].<ref>{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3IIAx8hRnA&list=PL2766F789289DB6CA&index=6&feature=plcp |title=The Met Men of The Falkland Islands 13.06.12 – BFBS News |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2012-06-14 |accessdate=2013-01-04}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{{Weather box
|location = Stanley, Falkland Islands
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 29
|Feb record high C = 27
|Mar record high C = 26
|Apr record high C = 27
|May record high C = 18
|Jun record high C = 14
|Jul record high C = 13
|Aug record high C = 15
|Sep record high C = 22
|Oct record high C = 22
|Nov record high C = 23
|Dec record high C = 25
|Jan high C = 15
|Feb high C = 15
|Mar high C = 13
|Apr high C = 9
|May high C =6
|Jun high C = 5
|Jul high C = 5
|Aug high C = 5
|Sep high C = 7
|Oct high C = 10
|Nov high C = 13
|Dec high C = 14
|Jan low C = 7
|Feb low C = 7
|Mar low C = 6
|Apr low C = 4
|May low C = 2
|Jun low C = 0
|Jul low C = 0
|Aug low C = 1
|Sep low C = 1
|Oct low C = 3
|Nov low C = 5
|Dec low C = 6
|Jan record low C = 0
|Feb record low C = 0
|Mar record low C = −1
|Apr record low C = −3
|May record low C = −6
|Jun record low C = −10
|Jul record low C = −10
|Aug record low C = −8
|Sep record low C = −10
|Oct record low C = −6
|Nov record low C = −2
|Dec record low C = −2
|Jan precipitation mm = 56
|Feb precipitation mm = 54
|Mar precipitation mm = 53
|Apr precipitation mm = 48
|May precipitation mm = 45
|Jun precipitation mm = 42
|Jul precipitation mm = 42
|Aug precipitation mm = 28
|Sep precipitation mm = 32
|Oct precipitation mm = 30
|Nov precipitation mm = 29
|Dec precipitation mm = 50
|Jan precipitation days = 24
|Feb precipitation days = 20
|Mar precipitation days = 23
|Apr precipitation days = 24
|May precipitation days = 26
|Jun precipitation days = 22
|Jul precipitation days = 23
|Aug precipitation days = 22
|Sep precipitation days = 21
|Oct precipitation days = 21
|Nov precipitation days = 21
|Dec precipitation days = 23
|source 1 = Weather2<ref name="BBC Weather">{{cite web |url=http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Falkland-Islands/Stanley/climate-profile.aspx |title=Country Overview For Falkland Islands |accessdate=27 November 2012 |publisher=Weather2 |date=June 2011}}</ref>
|date = August 2010
}}


The islands have two weekly newspapers, '']'' and '']''.{{sfn|Wagstaff|2001|p=66}} Television and radio broadcasts generally feature programming from the United Kingdom.{{sfn|Minahan|2013|p=139}} Wagstaff describes local cuisine as "very British in character with much use made of the homegrown vegetables, local lamb, mutton, beef, and fish". Common between meals are "home made cakes and biscuits with tea or coffee".{{sfn|Wagstaff|2001|pp=63–64}} Moreover, social activities in the Falklands are, in the words of Wagstaff, "typical of that of a small British town with a variety of clubs and organisations covering many aspects of community life".{{sfn|Wagstaff|2001|pp=65}}
==Biodiversity==
{{main|Wildlife of the Falkland Islands}}


==See also==
], the Falkland Islands are classified as part of the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/udvardy.pdf |title=A Classification of the Biogeographical Provinces of the World |pages=37–38 |author=Miklos D F Udvardy |publisher=IUCN |year=1975 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.iscv.cl/pdfs/PDFSeminars/BioGeografia/Bibliografia/IIFundamentosteoricosymetodosBiog/2bVicarianzadispersionBiogeograf/BIOGEO2.PDF |title=The biogeographic regions reconsidered |page=518 |author=C Barry Cox |journal=Journal of Biogeography |volume=28 |year=2001 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=February 2012}}</ref> Strong connections exist with the flora and fauna of ] in South America.<ref name="epk"/> The only terrestrial mammal upon the arrival of Europeans was the ], a fox-like canid found on both major islands.<ref name="Britlinks"/><ref name="Darwin1839">{{citation |author=Waterhouse, George R |authorlink=George Robert Waterhouse |chapter-url=http://archive.org/stream/NHM_UK_L_3967751001#page/n255/mode/2up |editor=Darwin, Charles |date=1839. |chapter=The zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832–1836. Part II. Mammalia |title=The zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832–1836. (Pts 1 - 5) |volume=Vol. 1 |url=http://archive.org/details/NHM_UK_L_3967751001 |publisher= Smith, Elder & Co |place=London |accessdate=9 March 2013}}</ref> It became extinct in the mid 19th century.<ref name="Backgroundgeography"/><ref name="Paddle 2000">Paddle, R. 2000. pp.234–235 ''in'' The Last Tasmanian Tiger. The history and extinction of the Thylacine. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.</ref> 14 species of ]s frequent the surrounding waters.<ref name=BioPlanning>{{cite journal |url=http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/BiodiversityStrategy09.pdf |title=Falkland Islands: Biodiversity Strategy 2008 - 2018 |publisher=The Environmental Planning Department, Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=26 November 2012 |page=8 |year=2008}}</ref> The elephant seal, the fur seal, and the sea lions all breed on the islands, and the largest elephant seal breeding site has over 500 animals in it.<ref name="gov.fk"/> 227 bird species have been seen on the islands,<ref name="epk"/> over 60 of which are known to breed on the islands.<ref name="gov.fk">{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk//Environment.html |title=Nature |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> There are two endemic species of bird, and 14 endemic ].<ref name="epk"/> There are five penguin species breeding on the islands, and over 60% of the global ] population also breed in the area.<ref name=BioPlanning/>
* ]
* ]
<!-- *] -->
<!-- *] -->
{{Subject bar|portal1=Latin America|portal2=United Kingdom||portal3=Argentina|portal4=Geography}}


== Notes ==
].]]
{{notelist-ua}}
There are no native ]s or ]s on the islands. Over 200 species of insects have been recorded, along with 43 ] species and 12 ] species. Only 13 terrestrial invertebrates are recognised as ], although information on many species is lacking and it is suspected up to two thirds of species found are actually endemic. Due to the island environment, many insect species have developed reduced or absent wings. There are around 129 freshwater invertebrates, the majority being ]; however, the identification of some species remains in dispute.<ref name="epk"/> Six species of fish are found in freshwater areas, including ] (''aplochiton zebra'') and ] (''Galaxias maculatus'').<ref name="epk"/> Different species of ] are found in Falkland waters, with ] inhabiting the warmer waters in the north.<ref name="seabirds"/>


== References ==
There are no native tree species on the archipelago, although two species of bushes, ] (''Chiliotrichum diffusum'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/falklands |title=Falkland Islands |publisher=] |year=2012 |accessdate=26 November 2012}}</ref> and ] are found. Other vegetation consists of ]es and ]s.<ref name="Backgroundgeography"/> Around 363 species of ]s, 21 species of ferns and ]es and 278 species of ]s have been recorded on the islands. Of the vascular plants, 171 are believed to be native and 13 to be endemic.<ref name="epk"/> Some ]s and ]s exist and support some freshwater plant species, but these are not common on the islands.<ref name="seabirds"/> ], which averages {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=flip}} in height but can reach up to {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on||disp=flip}}, is found within 300&nbsp;m (1,000&nbsp;ft) of the coast where it forms bands around larger islands. The dense canopies formed create an insulated ] suitable for many birds and invertebrates.<ref name="seabirds"/> The ] (''Olsynium filifolium'') is the islands' proposed national flower.<ref name="gov.fk"/>
{{reflist|30em}}


== Bibliography ==
There is little long-term data on habitat changes, so the extent of human impact is unclear.<ref name="epk"/> Vegetation such as tussac grass, fachine, and native box have been heavily impacted by introduced grazing animals. Many breeding birds similarly only live on offshore islands, where introduced animals such as cats and rats are not found.<ref name="seabirds"/> Virtually the entire area of the islands is used as ] for ]. There is also an introduced ] population, which was brought to the islands in 2001 for commercial purposes.<ref name=cia/> Rats<ref name="Britlinks"/> and ]es have been introduced and are having a detrimental impact on birds that nest on the shores, as are ]s. 22 introduced plant species are thought to provide a significant threat to local flora.<ref name="epk"/>
{{refbegin|30em}}


* {{cite book | last = Avakov | first = Alexander | title = Quality of Life, Balance of Powers, and Nuclear Weapons | year = 2013 | publisher = Algora Publishing | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-87586-963-6 }}
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of the Falkland Islands}}
] representing two trends in recent economic development.]]


* {{cite book | last = Balmaceda | first = Daniel | title = Historias Inesperadas de la Historia Argentina | year = 2011 | publisher = Editorial Sudamericana | location = Buenos Aires | ref = harv | language=Spanish | isbn = 978-950-07-3390-8 }}
The earliest economic activity on the islands, from 1770 onwards, was ] and ]. From the mid nineteenth century onwards, sheep farming played an important part in the island's economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Part 4 - The British Colonial Era |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/history4.html |work=A Brief History of the Falkland Islands |publisher=Falkland Islands Information Portal |accessdate=25 November 2012}}</ref> In more recent years ], ] and ] have played a leading part in the economy of the islands.


* {{cite book | last = Bell | first = Brian | editor1= Beau Riffenburgh | title= Introduced Species | encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of the Antarctic | year = 2007 | volume = 1 | publisher = Routledge | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-415-97024-2 }}
Today, apart from defence, the islands are self sufficient with annual exports of $125&nbsp;million and imports of $90&nbsp;million (2004 estimate).<ref name=cia>{{cite web |title=Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) |work=The World Factbook |publisher=CIA |date=28 February 2011 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fk.html |accessdate=8 March 2011}}</ref> The Falkland Islands use the ], which circulates interchangeably with the pound ] and which is backed by the pound sterling on a one-for-one basis.<ref name=NewCoin>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/documents/197-10.pdf |title=Commemorative Coin – Lifetime of Service |date=17 August 2010 |publisher=Executive Council of the Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=31 December 2010}}</ref> Falkland coins are produced in the United Kingdom;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.currencymuseum.net/falklandis.htm |title=The history of the Falkland Islands pound |publisher=Will's online paper money |accessdate=16 July 2010}}</ref> coins are identical in size to the United Kingdom currency but with local designs on the reverse. The Falkland Islands also ]. Both the coins and stamps are a source of revenue from overseas collectors.<ref name=NewCoin/>


* {{cite book | last1 = Blouet | first1 = Brian | last2 = Blouet | first2 = Olwyn | title = Latin America and the Caribbean | year = 2009 | publisher = John Wiley and Sons | location = Hoboken, New Jersey, USA | isbn = 0-470-38773-4 | ref = harv }}
Farmland accounts for {{convert|1123985|ha|sqmi|abbr=on}}, more than 90% of the Falklands land area.<ref name=Farms>{{cite web |url=http://www.agriculture.gov.fk/publications/farming_statistics/2008-2009.pdf |title=Biennial Report 2008/9 |publisher=Falklands Island Government Department of Agriculture |date=31 May 2009 |accessdate=18 April 2010}}</ref> Since 1984, efforts to diversify the economy have made fishing the largest part of the economy and brought increasing income from tourism.<ref>, Frank Kane, ], 4 April 2004</ref> ] farming was formerly the main source of income for the islands and still plays an important part with high quality wool exports going to the UK. According to the Falklands Government Statistics there are over 500,000 sheep on the islands with roughly 60% on East Falkland and 40% on West Falkland.<ref name=Farms/>


* {{cite book | last = Cahill | first = Kevin | title = Who Owns the World: The Surprising Truth About Every Piece of Land on the Planet | year = 2010 | publisher = Grand Central Publishing | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-446-55139-7 }}
The government has operated a fishing zone policy since 1986 with the sale of fishing licences to foreign countries. These licences have recently raised only ]12 to 15&nbsp;million a year in revenue, as opposed to £20m to £25m annually during the 1990s. Locally registered fishing boats are also in operation. More than 75% of the annual catch of 200,000 tonnes (220,000 short tons) is ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk//Fisheries.html |title=Fisheries |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate =14 July 2010}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Calvert | first = Peter | title = A Political and Economic Dictionary of Latin America | year = 2004 | publisher = Europa Publications | location = London | ref = harv | isbn = 0-203-40378-9 }}
]
Tourism has grown rapidly. The islands have become a regular port of call for the growing market of cruise ships with more than 36,000 visitors in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.falklands.info/background/lifearticle31.html |title=Four Seasons and more than 3,000 Tourists in One Day |last=Jaffray |first=Sharon |newspaper=Penguin News |date=22 April 2005 |accessdate=17 August 2011}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Carafano | first = James Jay | title= Falkland/Malvinas Islands | encyclopedia= Britain and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History | year = 2005 | editor1 = Will Kaufman | editor2= Heidi Slettedahl Macpherson | publisher = ABC-CLIO | location = Santa Barbara | ref = harv | isbn = 1-85109-431-8 }}
A 1995 agreement between the UK and Argentina had set the terms for exploitation of offshore resources including ]<ref>{{cite news |first=Calvin |last=Sims |title=Britain and Argentina Reach an Accord on Falkland Oil Rights |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/20/world/britain-and-argentina-reach-an-accord-on-falkland-oil-rights.html?pagewanted=1 |work=The New York Times |date=20 September 1995 |accessdate=10 May 2010}}</ref> as geological surveys had shown there might be up to 60&nbsp;billion barrels (9.5&nbsp;billion cubic metres) of oil under the seabed surrounding the islands.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/07/falkland-islands-oil-britain-argentina |title=Falklands oil prospects stir Anglo-Argentine tensions |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 February 2010 |first1=Rory |last1=Carroll |first2=Annie |last2=Kelly |accessdate=23 August 2011}}</ref> However, in 2007 Argentina unilaterally withdrew from the agreement;<ref>{{cite news |first=Sophie |last=Arie |title=Argentina snubs UK over oil deal as anniversary nears |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/29/warg29.xml |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 April 2007 |accessdate=20 October 2007}}</ref> Falklands Oil and Gas Limited then signed an agreement with ] to investigate the potential exploitation of oil reserves.<ref name="Times_Oil_Deal">
{{cite news |first=Carl |last=Mortished |title=BHP Billiton strikes $100m Falklands drilling deal |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article2577806.ece |work=The Times |date=3 October 2007 |accessdate=20 October 2007}}</ref> Due to the difficult climatic conditions of the southern seas exploitation will be difficult, though economically viable; the continuing sovereignty dispute with Argentina is also hampering progress.<ref name="Argentine_response">{{cite news |first=Jude |last=Webber |title=Argentina protests at Falklands oil stake |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aa2294fe-71d7-11dc-8960-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1 |publisher=The Financial Times |date=3 October 2007 |accessdate=20 October 2007}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Cawkell | first = Mary |title= The History of the Falkland Islands | year=2001 | publisher = Anthony Nelson Ltd. | location = Oswestry | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-904614-55-8 }}
In February 2010 exploratory drilling for oil was begun by ],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8527307.stm |title=Drilling for oil begins off the Falkland Islands |publisher=BBC News |date=22 February 2010 |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> but the results from the first test well were disappointing.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/explorers-fail-to-strike-oil-in-test-sites-off-falklands-1930807.html |title=Explorers fail to strike oil in test sites off Falklands |work=The Independent |date=30 March 2010 |accessdate=9 June 2010 |first=Nick |last=Clark}}</ref> Two months later, on 6 May 2010, ] announced that "it may have struck oil".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10100769.stm |title=Falklands oil firm Rockhopper claims discovery |publisher=BBC News |date=6 May 2010 |accessdate=6 May 2010}}</ref> Subsequent tests showed it to be a commercially viable find; an appraisal project was launched and on 14 September 2011 Rockhopper Exploration announced that plans were under way for oil production to commence in 2016, through the use of ] (FPSO) technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oilonline.com/default.asp?id=259&nid=19869&name=FPSO+wanted+for+Sea+Lion |title=FPSO wanted for Sea Lion |date=14 September 2011 |accessdate=26 November 2012 |publisher=OilOnline |first1=Jennifer |last1=Pallanich}}</ref>


* {{cite book | author = ] | title = The CIA World Factbook 2012 | year = 2011 | publisher = Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-61608-332-8 }}
==Demographics==
{{see also|Falkland Islanders|Origins of Falkland Islanders}}
], Stanley, with an arch made of whale bone. One of the earliest economic activities on the islands was whaling.]]


* {{cite book | last1 = Clark | first1 = Malcolm | last2 = Dingwall | first2 = Paul | title = Conservation of Islands in the Southern Ocean | year = 1985 | publisher = ]| location = Cambridge | ref = harv | isbn = 2-88032-503-X }}
The population of the Falkland Islands is primarily of British descent (about 70 percent of the population), mainly as a result of ] and ] immigration to the islands.<ref>{{cite book |first=Patrick |last=Vincent |title=The Geographical Journal, Vol. 149, No. 1, pp 16–17 |month=March | year=1983}}</ref> In the 2012 census, 59% of residents described their national identity as ‘Falkland Islander’, 29% considered themselves British, 9.8% St Helenian and 5.4% Chilean.<ref name = census2012/> In the 2006 census, some Islanders identified themselves as of ], ], and ]n descent.<ref name=2006Census>{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20101216182057/http://www.falklands.gov.fk//documents/Census%20Report%202006.pdf |title=Falkland Islands Census Statistics, 2006 |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=4 June 2010}}</ref> Although the 2006 census indicated that only a third of residents were born on the islands, many people from other countries, including ] and ], have settled in the Falklands and become assimilated into the local population.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6683677.stm |title=Falklands questions answered |publisher=BBC News |date=4 June 2007 |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> There is also a small number of ] currently residing in the islands,<ref name="mercopress">{{cite news | url=http://en.mercopress.com/2013/06/28/falklands-referendum-voters-from-many-countries-around-the-world-voted-yes | title=Falklands Referendum: Voters from many countries around the world voted Yes | work=MercoPress | date=28 June 2013 | accessdate=29 June 2013|quote="The largest minorities were St Helenians and Chileans, but there were also 18 Argentines on the electoral register."}}</ref> including Maria Strange, wife of the author and historian ].<ref name='telegraph 2010-02-28'>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Leonard |title='We must educate the Argentines' |date=28 February 2010 |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100302005501/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/falklandislands/7332262/We-must-educate-the-Argentines.html |work=The Telegraph |accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Doltan | first = Yossi | title = Watercraft on World Coins: America and Asia, 1800-2008 | volume=2 | year = 2010 | publisher = The Alpha Press | location = Portland | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-898595-50-2 }}
Residents of the Falklands are often called "]"<ref name="Tweedie">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/falklandislands/9176205/How-the-good-life-came-to-the-Kelpers.html |title=How the good life came to the Kelpers |last=Tweedie |first=Neil |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=31 March 2012 |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> or "Islanders".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk//Falklands_Life.html |title=People |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> The legal term for having the right of residence is "]".<ref name=constitutiontext/> From 1 January 1983, as provided in the ], the islanders have been full ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/6 |title=British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 |publisher=The National Archives |accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Gibran | first = Daniel | title = The Falklands War: Britain Versus the Past in the South Atlantic | year = 1998 | publisher = McFarland & Company, Inc. | location = Jefferson | ref = harv | isbn = 0-7864-0406-X }}
A population decline leading up to the Falklands War has reversed, with the population bolstered by immigration from the British island of Saint Helena, and Chile<ref name="Tweedie"/> though figures for immigration are skewed by including children born to Falkland Islander women who for medical reasons travelled abroad for their confinement as being "born abroad".<ref name=2006Census/> Historical census figures show that the population rose from an estimate of 287 in 1851 to 2,272 in 1911. The population was 2,094 in 1921 and 2,392 in 1931, but it then declined to 1,813 in 1980.<ref name=2006Census/> However, the population recorded in the 2001 census was higher than at any previous point in history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.info/background/census2001r.html |title=Summary Report |publisher=Falklands.info |accessdate=17 August 2012}}</ref> By 2006 the population had increased to 2,955 of whom 2,115 lived in Stanley and 477 in Mount Pleasant, 194 in the rest of East Falkland, 127 in West Falkland and 42 in the other islands. These figures excluded all military personnel and their families, but included 477 people who were present in the Falkland Islands in connection with the military garrison.<ref name="2006Census"/> In 2012, the usual daily population of the Falkland Islands stood at 2,932 (excluding British Ministry of Defence personnel and families based at ]), the small drop since 2006 being attributed to a decline in the number of contractors associated with the air base. Excluding these contractors, the true population stood at 2,563. A breakdown of the figures showed that Stanley had a population of 2,121, Camp had a population of 351 and contractors at Mount Pleasant made up 369. 91 residents were overseas when the 2012 census was taken.<ref name = census2012/>


* {{cite book | last = Goebel | first = Julius | title = The Struggle for the Falkland Islands: A Study in Legal and Diplomatic History | year = 1971 | publisher = Kennikat Press | location = Port Washington | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-8046-1390-3 }}
The age distribution of the islands residents is skewed towards people of working age {{nowrap|(20–60)}} – 65% as opposed to 21% aged below 20 and 14% aged above 60. Males outnumber females by 53% to 47% with the deviation being most prominent in the {{nowrap|20–60}} age group.<ref name=2006Census/> In the 2006 census, 67.2% of the islanders identified themselves as being ]s, 31.5% either declined to answer or had no religious affiliation and the remaining 1.3% (39 individuals) identified themselves as adherents of other faiths.<ref name=2006Census/> The islands have three churches, one for each of the ], ] and ] communities.<ref name=FCO/>


* {{cite book | last = Graham-Yooll | first = Andrew | authorlink = Andrew Graham-Yooll | title = Imperial Skirmishes: War and Gunboat Diplomacy in Latin America | year = 2002 | publisher = Signal Books Limited | location = Oxford | ref = harv | isbn = 1-902669-21-5 }}
==Infrastructure==


* {{cite book | last = Guo | first = Rongxing | title = Territorial Disputes and Resource Management | year = 2007 | publisher = Nova Science Publishers, Inc. | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-60021-445-5 }}
===Media===
The islands have two weekly newspapers, the ''The Penguin News'' which is funded by the Falklands Media Trust and the ''Teaberry Express'' which is published by the Falkland Islands News Network.<ref name=pressreference>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressreference.com/Co-Fa/Falkland-Islands.html |title=Falkland Islands |publisher=Press Reference |accessdate=4 April 2011}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Gustafson| first = Lowell | title = The Sovereignty Dispute Over the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands | year = 1988 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 0-19-504184-4 }}
Falkland Islands technical standards for radio and television are identical to those in the United Kingdom or, in the case of ] broadcasts, the Americas. There are approximately 1000 television sets and 1000 radio receivers on the islands.<ref name=pressreference/> Five terrestrial television are broadcast by the ], ], ], ], ] and ]<ref></ref> while ] relays a number of satellite services such as ], ], ], ], ] and ] via ] to subscribers in Stanley.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktv.co.fk/ |title=KTV Ltd (Home Page) |publisher=KTV Ltd. |accessdate=4 April 2011}}</ref> Radio broadcasting is supported by seven FM radio stations and one AM radio station. The first broadcasting service, the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Service, established in 1929 used landlines connected to a speaker in people's homes. This was upgraded to wireless in 1942 and a 5&nbsp;kW medium wave transmitter installed in 1954. VHF was introduced in 1999. In 2005 the service was privatised and renamed ] (FIRS).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firs.co.fk/station_history.php |title=Station History |publisher=Falkland Islands Radio Service |accessdate=4 April 2011}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Headland | first = Robert | title = Chronological List of Antartic Expeditions and Related Historical Events | year = 1989 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 0-521-30903-4 }}
===Telephone===
The first telephones in the Falklands were installed by the Falkland Island Company in 1880, with lines to all settlements in Camp being installed by 1907. In 1911, Marconi built a telegraph office that permitted telegrams to be sent to ]. In 1950, the fixed line telephone service to Camp was replaced by a radio service;<ref name=C&WHistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.cwfi.co.fk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=53 |title=About us |publisher=Cable & Wireless Falkland Islands |accessdate=11 August 2012}}</ref> the 2006 census showed that of the 307 two-metre radio receivers in the islands, 129 were located in Camp.<ref name=2006Census/> In 1989, Cable and Wireless won the contract to provide the Island's national and international telephone services.<ref name=C&WHistory/> In 2006, a ] mobile network was installed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gsmworld.com/ROAMING/GSMINFO/net_fkcw.shtml |title=GSM coverage in the Falkland Islands |publisher=Gsmworld.com |accessdate=11 August 2012}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Heawood | first = Edward | title = A History of Geographical Discovery in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries | year = 2011 | edition = Reprint | editor = F.H.H. Guillemard | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-107-60049-2 }}
In 2006, broadband was successfully implemented in Stanley and Mount Pleasant Complex and was subsequently rolled out across the islands from 2008 to 2009.<ref name=C&WHistory/> The ] figures for 2011 identified the Falkland Islands as having the ] in the world – 96.38%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/material/excel/20112/ictwebsite/Internet_users_01-11_2.xls |title=Internet users per 100 inhabitants |publisher=International Telecommunication Union |format=Excel |accessdate =29 October 2011}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Hemmerle | first = Oliver Benjamin | editor1= R.W. McColl |title=Falkland Islands | encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of World Geography | volume=1 | year = 2005 | publisher = Golson Books, Ltd. | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 0-8160-5786-9 }}
===Transport===
{{main|Transport in the Falkland Islands}}
]


* {{cite book | last = Hince | first = Bernadette | title = The Antarctic Dictionary | year = 2001 | publisher = ] | location = Collingwood | ref = harv | isbn = 0-9577471-1X }}
In 1982, the Falkland Islands had no roads outside Stanley, only tracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/documents/Falklands%20Focus%20Issue%2081,%20July%2007.pdf |title=Falkland Focus – News from the Falkland Islands Government |date=July/August 2007 |accessdate=29 December 2010}}</ref> By 2007, the Falkland Islands had a road network of {{convert|786|km|mi|disp=flip}} which in 2012 had been extended to {{convert|862|km|mi|disp=flip}} linking to all occupied mainland settlements.<ref name=Transport>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/Transport_&_Communication.html# |title=Transport and Communication |publisher=Falkland Islands Government |accessdate=18 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Priorities for Roads Maintenance, Increased Funding for Grading, Capping and for Surfacing the MPA Road |url=http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/documents/39-12P.pdf |date=25 April 2012 |publisher=Falkland Islands Executive Council |accessdate=16 August 2012}}</ref> Speed limits are 25&nbsp;mph (40&nbsp;km/h) in built-up areas and 40&nbsp;mph (64&nbsp;km/h) elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklandislands.com/product.php/101/8/module_1__local_transport___getting_around |title=Module 1: Local Transport / Getting Around |publisher=Falkland Islands Tourist Board |accessdate =26 November 2012}}</ref> {{As of|2006}}, the Falkland Islands had 67 motor vehicles per 100 people, with 4x4 vehicles accounting for 66% of the total.<ref name=2006Census/>


* {{cite book | last = Jones | first = Roger | title = What's Who? A Dictionary of Things Named After People and the People They are Named After | year = 2009 | publisher = Matador | location = Leicester | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1848760-479 }}
The Falkland Islands have two airports with paved runways – the main international airport ], {{convert|27|mi|km|disp=flip}} west of Stanley<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapcrow.info/Distance_between_London_UK_and_Port_Stanley_FK.html |title={{convert|43.28|km|2|abbr=on|2|disp=flip}} in Map Crow Travel Distance Calculator |publisher=Mapcrow.info |date=23 October 2007 |accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> opened in 1986 and the smaller ] on the outskirts of Stanley, opened in 1979 following the 1971 Anglo-Argentine agreement regarding an air link between the countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stanley Airport Celebrates 25th Birthday |url=http://www.falklands.info/history/histarticle7.html |publisher=Falklands.info |date=March 2004 |accessdate=27 March 2011}}</ref> Mount Pleasant is used for military purposes and for heavy aircraft that require long runways, whereas Stanley is used for internal flights and smaller aircraft.


* {{cite book | last = Jónsdóttir| first = Ingibjörg | editor1= Jorge Rabassa| editor2= Maria Laura Borla| title= Botany during the Swedish Antarctic Expedition 1901-1903 | encyclopedia= Antarctic Peninsula and Tierra del Fuego| year = 2007 | publisher = Taylor & Francis | location = Leiden | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-415-41379-4 }}
The ] operates flights from RAF Mount Pleasant to ] in Oxfordshire, England, with a refuelling stop at ]. RAF flights are on ] although charter aircraft are often used if the TriStars are required for operational flights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2010/01/27/air-seychelles-begins-operating-brize-norton-falklands-air-bridge |title=Air Seychelles begins operating Brize Norton-Falklands Air Bridge |publisher=MercoPress |date=28 January 2011 |accessdate=18 August 2011}}</ref> Local military air support – moving of personnel, equipment and supplies around the islands is carried out under contract by ] which operates two ] helicopters. The principal civilian air operator at Mount Pleasant is ] which operates weekly flights to ] via ].<ref name=Transport/>


* {{cite book | last = Klügel | first = Andreas | editor1= Rosemary Gillespie| editor2= David Clague| title= Atlantic Region | encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of Islands | year = 2009 | publisher = University of California Press | location = Berkeley | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-520-25649-1 }}
] of the ] at Stanley.]]
The main operator at Port Stanley Airport is the ] (FIGAS) which operates ] aircraft which can use the grass airstrips at most settlements. Flight schedules, which are broadcast on the radio every evening, are planned on a daily basis according to passenger needs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.falklandislands.com/product.php/19/24/air_service__figas_/3264f26f115b88e105590adfbcee300f |title=Internal flights (FIGAS) |publisher=Falkland Islands Tourist Board |accessdate=27 March 2011}}</ref>


* {{cite book | last = Laver | first = Roberto | title = The Falklands/Malvinas Case | year = 2001 | publisher = Martinus Nijhoff Publishers | location = The Hague | ref = harv | isbn = 90-411-1534-X }}
Private operators from Stanley include the ] who operate an air link to the ] on the ] and also serve other British bases in the ] using a ].


* {{cite book | last = Marley | first = David | title = Wars of the Americas | year = 2008 | publisher = ABC-CLIO | location = Santa Barbara | edition = 2nd |ref = harv | isbn = 9781598841008}}
{{clear}}


* {{cite book | last = Minahan | first = James | title = Ethnic Groups of the Americas | year = 2013 | publisher = ABC-CLIO | location = Santa Barbara | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-61069-163-5 }}
==See also==
* ]
* ]
<!-- *] -->
<!-- *] -->
{{Subject bar|portal1=Latin America|portal2=United Kingdom||portal3=Argentina|portal4=Geography}}


* {{cite book | last = Osmańczyk | first = Edmund | authorlink=Edmund Osmańczyk | title = Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements | year = 2003 | volume = 2 | edition = 3rd | editor = Anthony Mango | publisher = Routledge | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 0415939224 }}
==Notes==

{{reflist|30em}}
* {{cite book | last = Paine | first = Lincoln | title = Ships of Discovery and Exploration | year = 2000 | publisher = ] | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 0-395-98415-7 }}

* {{cite book | last1 = Pascoe | first1 = Graham | last2 = Pepper | first2 = Peter | title = Luis Vernet | encyclopedia = The Dictionary of Falklands Biography (Including South Georgia): From Discovery Up to 1981 | editor = David Tatham | publisher = David Tatham | location = Ledbury | year=2008 | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-9558985-0-1 }}

* {{cite book | last = Room | first = Adrian | authorlink=Adrian Room | title = Placenames of the World | edition=2nd | year = 2006 | publisher = McFarland & Company, Inc. | location = Jefferson | ref = harv | isbn = 0-7864-2248-3 }}

* {{cite book | last = Royle | first = Stephen | title = A Geography of Islands: Small Island Insularity | year = 2001 | publisher = Routledge | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 0-203-16036-3 }}

* {{cite book | last = Sainato | first = Vincenzo | editor1= Graeme Newman | editor2= Janet Stamatel | editor3= Hang-en Sung |title=Falkland Islands | encyclopedia= Crime and Punishment around the World | volume=2 | year = 2010 | publisher = ABC-CLIO | location = Santa Barbara | ref = harv | isbn = 978-0-313-35133-4 }}

* {{cite book | last = Segal | first = Gerald | title = The World Affairs Companion | year = 1991 | publisher = Simon & Schuster/Touchstone | location = New York | ref = harv | isbn = 0-671-74157-8 }}

* {{cite book | last = Sicker | first = Martin | title = The Geopolitics of Security in the Americas | year = 2002 | publisher = Praeger Publishers | location = Westport | ref = harv | isbn = 0-275-97255-0 }}

* {{cite book | last = Smith | first = Gordon | title = Battle Atlas of the Falklands War 1982 | year = 2006 | publisher = Naval-History.net | location = Penarth | edition = Revised | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-84753-950-2 }}

* {{cite book | last = Trewby | first = Mary | title = Antarctica: An Encyclopedia from Abbott Ice Shelf to Zooplankton | year = 2002 | publisher = Firefly Books | location = ] | ref = harv | isbn = 978-1-552-97590-9 }}

* {{cite book | last = Wagstaff | first = William | authorlink= Will Wagstaff | title = Falkland Islands: The Bradt Travel Guide | year = 2001 | publisher = Bradt Travel Guides, Ltd. | location = Buckinghamshire | ref = harv | isbn = 1-84162-037-8}}


==References==
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |author=Julius Goebel |title=The struggle for the Falkland Islands: a study in legal and diplomatic history |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=V_lNAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=17 March 2011 |date=August 1971 |publisher=Kennikat Press |isbn=978-0-8046-1390-3 |ref=Goebel}}
* {{cite book |author=David Tatham |title=The Dictionary of Falklands Biography (Including South Georgia): From Discovery Up to 1981 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0D0VNAAACAAJ |accessdate=17 March 2011 |date=1 June 2008 |publisher=D. Tatham |isbn=978-0-9558985-0-1 |ref=Tatham}}
{{refend}} {{refend}}

* {{cite book |author=David Tatham |title=The Dictionary of Falklands Biography (Including South Georgia): From Discovery Up to 1981 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0D0VNAAACAAJ |accessdate=17 March 2011 |date=1 June 2008 |publisher=D. Tatham |isbn=978-0-9558985-0-1 |ref=Tatham}}


==Further reading== ==Further reading==

Revision as of 06:51, 17 August 2013

"Falklands" and "Malvinas" redirect here. For other uses of Falklands, see Falkland (disambiguation). For other uses of Malvinas, see Malvinas (disambiguation).
Falkland Islands
Flag of Falkland Islands Flag Coat of arms of Falkland Islands Coat of arms
Motto: "Desire the right"
Anthem: God Save the Queen  (official)
Song of the Falklands 
Location of the Falkland Islands.Location of the Falkland Islands.
Capitaland largest cityStanley
Official languagesEnglish
Demonym(s)Falkland Islander
GovernmentBritish Overseas Territory
• Monarch Elizabeth II
• Governor Nigel Haywood
• Chief Executive Keith Padgett
• Responsible Minister (UK) Hugo Swire MP
LegislatureLegislative Assembly
Establishment
• British rule re-established 1833
• Crown Colony 1841
• British Dependent Territory 1981
• British Overseas Territory 2002
• Current constitution 2009
Area
• Total12,173 km (4,700 sq mi) (162nd)
• Water (%)0
Population
• 2012 estimate2,932 (220th)
• Density0.26/km (0.7/sq mi) (241st)
GDP (PPP)2007 estimate
• Total$164.5 million (222nd)
• Per capita$55,400 (9th)
Gini (2010)34.17
medium inequality (64th)
HDI (2010)0.874
very high (20th)
CurrencyFalkland Islands pound (FKP)
Time zoneUTC−3 (FKST)
Drives onLeft
Calling code500
ISO 3166 codeFK
Internet TLD.fk
  1. Song of the Falklands is used as the islands' anthem at sporting events.
  2. Parliamentary democratic dependency under constitutional monarchy.
  3. Interrupted by Argentine military government in 1982.
  4. Fixed to the Pound sterling (GBP).
  5. The Falklands has been on FKST year-round since September 2010.

The Falkland Islands (/ˈfɔːlklənd/; Template:Lang-es) 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. As a British Overseas Territory, the islands enjoy a large degree of internal self-governance with the United Kingdom guaranteeing good government and taking responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The islands' capital is Stanley on East Falkland.

Controversy exists over the Falklands' original discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had 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 2,932 in 2012, primarily consists of native Falkland Islanders, the majority 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 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 due to the effects of introduced species. Major economic activities include fishing, tourism, and sheep farming with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports. Oil exploration, licensed by the Falkland Islands Government, remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina.

Etymology

See also: List of Falkland Islands placenames

The Falkland Islands are named after the Falkland Sound, a strait that separates the archipelago's two main islands. The name "Falkland" was applied to the channel by John Strong, the captain of an English expedition that landed on the islands in 1690. Strong named the strait in honor of Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount of Falkland, the Treasurer of the Navy who had sponsored the long journey. The Viscount's title in turn comes from the town of Falkland, Scotland, whose name comes from the term "folkland" (meaning land held by folkright). Nevertheless, the name would not be applied to the islands until 1765, when British captain John Byron claimed them for King George III as "Falkland's Islands".

The Spanish name for the archipelago, Islas Malvinas, comes from the French Îles Malouines, the name given to the islands by French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville in 1764. Bougainville, who founded the islands' first settlement, named the area after the port of Saint-Malo, the point of departure for his ships and colonists. The port, located in the Brittany region of western France, was in turn named after St. Malo (or Maclou), the Christian evangelist who founded the city.

The United Nations uses both the Spanish and English names "when referring to the islands"; its official designation for the territory is "Falkland Islands (Malvinas)".

History

Before the Falklands War

Main articles: History of the Falkland Islands and Timeline of the history of the Falkland Islands

Even though Fuegians from Patagonia possibly visited the Falkland Islands in prehistoric times, the islands were uninhabited at the time of European discovery. The archipelago's finding is filled with controversial claims dating back to the 16th century. Although the islands may have been sighted and named by English explorers in two independent occasions in 1592 and 1594, and likely discovered and named "Sebald Islands" (or "Sebaldines") by Dutch seafarer Sebald de Weert in 1600, no consensus exists in academia "if any of them actually located the Falklands or other south Atlantic islands". Regardless, the first landing on the Falklands is attributed to English captain John Strong, who, while on a voyage "to the coast of Chile and Peru", discovered the Falkland Sound and "noted the water and game on the islands" in 1690.

For subsequent decades, the Falklands remained uninhabited until two separate settlements, one established on East Falkland in 1764 by French captain Louis Antoine de Bougainville and the other founded on West Falkland in 1765 by British captain John Byron, were set up unaware of one another. After France "relinquished its rights to Spain" in 1766, the Spanish settled the islands in 1767. Problems began when Spain discovered the British settlement at Port Egmont; an imminent war, caused by Spain's capture of the port in 1770, was avoided by a peace treaty that returned the settlement to Britain. Yet, the Falklands were again abandoned when the British evacuated them in 1774 and the Spanish followed suit in 1811, except for "a few gauchos and fishermen" who remained "to look after themselves".

The status of the archipelago went unchecked until 1820, when American colonel David Jewett, a privateer working for the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, informed "the more than 50 ships at anchor" about Buenos Aires' 1816 claim of possession "over Spain's rights to the islands in the South Atlantic". However, due to Jewett's inability "to establish his authority over this hard-living crowd", coupled with little emigration from Buenos Aires to the islands, the Falklands remained ungoverned until Luis Vernet re-established the old Spanish settlement under its former French name (Port Louis) in 1826. In 1829, Buenos Aires proclaimed Vernet the Military and Civil Commander of the islands. A dispute over fishing and hunting rights resulted in a raid by the US warship USS Lexington in 1831. Lexington's Captain declared the islands "free from all government", and the seven senior members of the settlement were arrested for piracy and taken to Montevideo, where they were released without charge on the orders of Commodore Rogers.

In November 1832, Argentina sent Commander Mestivier as an interim commander to found a penal settlement, but he was killed in a mutiny after four days. The following January, British forces returned and requested the Argentine garrison leave. Don Pinedo, captain of the ARA Sarandi and senior officer present, protested but ultimately complied. Vernet's settlement continued, with the Irishman William Dickson tasked with raising the British flag for passing ships. Vernet's deputy, Matthew Brisbane, returned and was encouraged by the British to continue the enterprise. The settlement continued until August 1833, when the leaders were killed in the so-called Gaucho murders. Subsequently, from 1834 the islands were governed as a British naval station until 1840 when the British Government decided to establish a permanent colony.

Naval confrontation during the 1914 Battle of the Falkland Islands. Painting by William Lionel Wyllie.

A new harbour was built in Stanley, and the islands became a strategic point for navigation around Cape Horn. A World War I naval battle, the Battle of the Falkland Islands, took place in December 1914, with a British victory over the smaller Imperial German Asiatic Fleet. During World War II, Stanley served as a Royal Navy station and serviced ships which took part in the 1939 Battle of the River Plate.

Sovereignty over the islands again became an issue in the second half of the 20th century, when Argentina saw the creation of the United Nations as an opportunity to pursue its claim. Talks between British and Argentine foreign missions took place in the 1960s, but failed to come to any meaningful conclusion. A major sticking point in all the negotiations was that the inhabitants preferred that the islands remain British territory.

A result of these talks was the establishment of the islands' first air link. In 1971, the Argentine state airline LADE began a service between Comodoro Rivadavia and Stanley. A temporary strip was followed by the construction of a permanent airfield and flights between Stanley and Comodoro Rivadavia continued until 1982. Further agreements gave YPF, the Argentine national oil and gas company, a monopoly over the supply of the islands' energy needs. The Times in its obituary of Rex Hunt states that it was generally accepted by the Foreign Office that when Hunt was appointed governor part of his brief was "to soften up the island's 1800 inhabitants to the idea that British sovereignty could not be taken as given in perpetuity". In his first dispatch back to the Foreign Office he wrote "There is no way we will convince these islanders that they will be better off as part of Argentina".

Falklands War and its aftermath

Main article: Falklands War
British paratroopers guard Argentine prisoners of war.

On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and other British territories in the South Atlantic. By exploiting the long-standing feelings of Argentines towards the islands, the nation's ruling military junta sought to divert public attention from Argentina's poor economic performance and growing internal opposition. The United Kingdom's reduction of military capacity in the South Atlantic is considered to have encouraged the invasion.

On 3 April 1982, the United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 502, calling on Argentina to withdraw forces from the islands and for both parties to seek a diplomatic solution. International reaction ranged from support for Argentina in most of Latin America, to opposition in the Commonwealth and most of Western Europe. Chile was the only Latin American country that provided overt support to the British by allowing ports of call and airport logistics. In contrast, Peru was the only Latin American country that provided war material to the Argentinian military, including Mirage aircraft, parts, and Exocet missiles. A divided United States administration, initially publicly neutral, eventually came out in support of the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom sent an expeditionary force to retake the islands. After short but fierce naval and air battles, the British forces landed at San Carlos Water on 21 May, and a land campaign followed leading to the British taking the high ground surrounding Stanley on 11 June. The Argentine forces surrendered on 14 June 1982. The war resulted in the deaths of 255 British and 649 Argentine soldiers, sailors and airmen, as well as 3 civilian Falklanders.

After the war, the British increased their military presence on the islands, constructing RAF Mount Pleasant and increasing the military garrison. Although the United Kingdom and Argentina resumed diplomatic relations in 1990, no further negotiations on sovereignty have taken place. It is believed that 19,000 Argentine land mines across an area of 13 square kilometres remain from the 1982 war dispersed in a number of minefields around Stanley, Port Howard, Fox Bay and Goose Green. Information is available from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operation Centre in Stanley. In 2009, mine clearance began at Surf Bay, and clearances took place at Sapper Hill, Goose Green and Fox Bay. Further clearance work was due to begin in 2011.

Government

Main article: Politics of the Falkland Islands
The Government House of the Falkland Islands is the Governor's official residence.

The Falkland Islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory. Under the 2009 Constitution, the islands have greater democratic autonomy, "while retaining sufficient powers for the UK Government to protect UK interests and to ensure the overall good governance of the territory". The Monarch of the United Kingdom is the head of state, but executive authority is exercised on the monarch's behalf by the Governor of the Falkland Islands. The islands' Chief Executive, appointed by the Governor, is the head of government. The islands' current Governor, Nigel Haywood, was appointed on October 2010; the current Chief Executive, Keith Padgett, was appointed on March 2012.

The Governor acts on the advice of the islands' Executive Council, composed by the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance, three elected members of the Legislative Assembly, and the Governor as chairman. The Legislative Assembly, a unicameral legislature, consists of the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance, and eight members (five from Stanley and three from Camp) elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage. All politicians in the Falkland Islands are independents; no political parties exist in the islands.

The islands' judicial system, overseen by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is largely based on English statutory law. Crime control and prisons are under the responsibility of the Royal Falkland Islands Police (RFIP). Military defense of the islands is provided by the United Kingdom. A British military garrison is stationed in the islands, and the Falkland Islands government funds an additional company-sized light infantry unit of defense.

Sovereignty dispute

Main article: Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute
File:Malvinas cartel - Puerto Iguazú.jpg
A sign in Argentina proclaims "The Malvinas are Argentine".

The United Kingdom and Argentina claim control over the Falkland Islands and its dependencies. The UK bases its position on continuous administration of the islands since 1833 (apart from 1982) and the islanders having a "right to self determination, including their right to remain British if that is their wish". Argentina posits that it acquired the Falklands from Spain, upon achieving independence in 1816, and that the UK illegally occupied them in 1833.

The present dispute began shortly after the passage, in 1960, of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514 on decolonization. Argentina then reasserted its sovereignty claims "before the United Nations special committee for non-self-governing territories". In 1965, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2065, which "called upon both Britain and Argentina to peacefully settle the dispute through bilateral negotiations".

Later that decade, intending to improve its relations with South America by transferring the Falkland Islands (with provisions to protect the islanders' way of life), the United Kingdom secretly discussed the subject with Argentina. However, when the news became public, the Falklanders protested against the plans. As a result, the UK increased its focus on the Islanders' self-determination; Argentina disagreed, and negotiations effectively remained at a stalemate. Subsequent talks between the two nations took place until 1981, but they failed to reach a conclusion on sovereignty.

Diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Argentina, which were severed at the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982, were re-established in 1990. In 2007, Argentina reasserted its claim over the Falkland Islands, asking for the UK to resume talks on sovereignty. In 2009, British prime minister Gordon Brown met with Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and declared that there would be no talks over the future sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. As far as the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands are concerned, no pending issue to resolve exists.

Modern Falkland Islanders continue to reject the Argentine sovereignty claim. In 2010, Falklands correspondent Tom Leonard of The Daily Telegraph, wrote that "The 3,000-strong community is already proudly British . The younger islanders may not share the older generation’s memories but there is clearly no love lost with the Argentines among them." On 10 and 11 March 2013, the Falkland Islands held a referendum over its political status, and voters favoured (99.8%) remaining under British rule.

Contemporary Argentine policy maintains the position that modern Falkland Islanders do not have a right to self-determination. Argentina claims that, in 1833, the UK expelled Argentine authorities and settlers from the Falklands with a threat of "greater force" and that the UK afterwards barred Argentines from resettling the islands. Argentina reiterated its position towards the Falklanders in 2012, after a meeting of the UN Decolonization Committee, when its representatives refused to accept a letter from the Falkland Islands offering the opening of direct talks between both governments. Moreover, in 2013, Argentina dismissed the Falkland Islands' sovereignty referendum. Argentina only recognises the UK government as a legitimate partner in negotiations; and considers the islands, along with South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as part of the Islas del Atlántico Sur department of Tierra del Fuego province.

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Falkland Islands
Map of the Falkland Islands.

The Falkland Islands have a total land area of 4,700 square miles (12,173 square kilometres) and a coastline estimated at 800 miles (1,288 km). Two main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland, and about 776 smaller islands comprise the archipelago. The Falklands are continental crust fragments that resulted from "the break-up of Gondwana and the opening of the South Atlantic that began 130 million years ago". The islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean, on the Patagonian Shelf, and 310 miles (500 kilometres) east of Patagonia in southern Argentina.

The Falklands approximately lie at latitude 51°40′ - 53°00′ S and longitude 57°40′ - 62°00′ W. The archipelago's two main islands are separated by the Falkland Sound, and its deep coastal indentations form natural harbors. East Falkland houses Stanley, the capital and largest city, the U.K. military base at RAF Mount Pleasant, and the archipelago's highest point, Mount Usborne, at 2,313 feet (705 m).

Land formations in the Falklands are predominantly mountainous and hilly, with the major exception being the "low-lying" flat plains terrain of Lafonia, a peninsula forming the southern part of East Falkland. Climate in the islands is usually "cold, windy, and humid maritime". Rainfall is common "on more than half of days in year", averaging 610 millimetres (24 in) in Stanley, and light snowfall occurs sporadically "throughout most of the year". Also prevalent on the islands are "strong westerly winds" and cloudy skies.

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of the Falkland Islands
A colony of Southern Rockhopper Penguins at Saunders Island.

Biogeographically, the Falkland Islands are classified as part of the "mild" Antarctic zone. Strong connections exist with the flora and fauna of Patagonia in mainland South America. Land birds make up most of the Falklands' avifauna, followed by seabirds; a total of 63 species breed on the islands, including 16 endemic species. Arthropod diversity in the islands is also abundant. The Falklands' diverse flora has 163 native vascular species. The islands' only endemic mammal, the warrah or Falkland Islands fox, was hunted to extinction by European settlers.

The Falkland Islands are frequented by marine mammals such as the southern elephant seal and the South American fur seal. Offshore islands house the rare striated caracara. Fish endemic to the islands are mostly from the genus Galaxias. The Falklands are "naturally treeless" and with a wind-resistant vegetation that, although varied, is "dominated by dwarf shrubs".

Virtually the entire area of the islands is used as pasture for sheep. Introduced species include reindeers, hares, rabbits, Patagonian foxes, pigs, horses, brown rats, and cats. The detrimental impact several of these species have caused to native flora and fauna has led authorities to contain, remove, or exterminate invasive species such as foxes, rabbits, and rats. Endemic land animals have been the most affected by introduced species. The extent of human impact on the Falklands is currenty unclear due to little long-term data on habitat changes.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Falkland Islands
Port Stanley is the main financial center of the Falkland Islands' economy.

The economy of the Falkland Islands is classified as the 222nd largest in the world by GDP (PPP), and ranks 9th in the globe by GDP (PPP) per capita. Unemployment is currently at a 4.1% rate, and inflation was last calculated at a 1.2% rate in 2003. Based on 2010 data, the islands have a very high Human Development Index of .874, but a medium Gini coefficient for income inequality of 34.17.

Economic development was historically advanced by ship resupplying and sheep farming for high-quality wool. In the 1980s, while synthetic fibers and ranch underinvestment considerably hurt the sheep farming sector, the Falkland Islands government found a major source of profit through the establishment of an exclusive economic zone and the sale of fishing licenses to "anybody wishing to fish within this zone". Since the end of the Falklands War in 1982, the islands' economic activity increasingly focused on oil field exploration and tourism.

Recent years have seen the port city of Stanley regain the islands' economic focus along with an increase in population due to workers migrating from Camp. Fear of dependence on the selling of fishing licenses, and threats from overfishing, illegal fishing, and fish market price fluctuations have increased interest on oil drilling as an alternative source of revenue. Nonetheless, exploration efforts have yet to find "exploitable reserves".

Agriculture, primarily in the form of sheep farming and fishing, accounts for 95% of the Falkland Islands' gross domestic product, followed by industry and services at 5%. Present development projects in education and sports have been funded by the Falklands government without aid from the United Kingdom. The islands' major exports include wool, hides, venison, fish, and squid; its main imports include fuel, building materials, and clothing.

Demographics

See also: Origins of Falkland Islanders
Christ Church Cathedral, Stanley, with an arch made of whale bone.

The Falkland Islands are a predominantly homogeneous society, with the majority of its inhabitants descending from the Scottish and Welsh immigrants who colonized the territory in 1833. Nevertheless, in recent times, immigration from the United Kingdom, Saint Helena, and Chile has "reversed a former gradual decline in the island population". The legal term for having the right of residence is "belonging to the islands". The passage of the British Nationality Act of 1983 provided Falkland Islanders with British citizenship.

In the 2012 census, a majority of residents described their nationality as Falkland Islander (59%), followed by British (29%), Saint Helenian (9.8%), and Chilean (5.4%). A small number of Argentines also reside in the islands. The 2006 census showed some Falklands residents identified as descendants of French, Gibraltarians, and Scandinavians. Despite that same census indicated that only a third of residents were born on the archipelago, some foreign-born residents "have become assimilated" with the local culture.

The Falkland Islands are the least populated territory in South America. According to the 2012 census, the average daily population of the Falklands was 2,932 (excluding British Ministry of Defence personnel and families based at RAF Mount Pleasant). Stanley, with a population of 2,121, is the most populated location in the archipelago, followed by Mount Pleasant (369 residents, mostly air base contractors), and Camp (351 people).

Age distribution in the islands is skewed towards people of working age (20–60). Males outnumber females (53 to 47%) with the deviation being most prominent in the 20–60 age group. In the 2006 census, most of the islanders identified themselves as being Christians (67.2%), followed by those who refused to answer or had no religious affiliation (31.5%). The remaining 1.3% (39 individuals) identified as adherents of other faiths. The Falklands have three churches: the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and the United Free Church.

Education in the Falkland Islands, which follows the English system, is free and compulsory. Primary education is available at Stanley, RAF Mount Pleasant (for children of service personnel), and at a number of rural settlements. Secondary education is only available in Stanley, which offers boarding facilities and 12 subjects to General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level. Students aged 16 or older may study at colleges in England for their GCE Advanced Level or vocational qualifications. The Falkland Islands government pays for older students to attend higher education, usually in the United Kingdom.

Culture

Main article: Culture of the Falkland Islands
Painting of Port Louis, probably 1838 or 1839; an example of Falklands art.

Falklands culture is fundamentally "based on the British culture brought with the settlers from the British Isles", though it has been partly influenced by the cultures of Hispanic South America. Some terms and toponyms used by the islands' former Gaucho inhabitants are still commonly used in local speech. The Falklands' predominant language is British English, and part of the population (2.5%) is Spanish-speaking. According to naturalist Will Wagstaff, "the Falkland Islands are a very social place, and stopping for a chat is a way of life".

The islands have two weekly newspapers, Teaberry Express and The Penguin News. Television and radio broadcasts generally feature programming from the United Kingdom. Wagstaff describes local cuisine as "very British in character with much use made of the homegrown vegetables, local lamb, mutton, beef, and fish". Common between meals are "home made cakes and biscuits with tea or coffee". Moreover, social activities in the Falklands are, in the words of Wagstaff, "typical of that of a small British town with a variety of clubs and organisations covering many aspects of community life".

See also

Portals:

Notes

  1. British toponymist Adrian Room claims that "he islands' original name was Davis Land, for their discoverer in 1592." He further adds that, in 1594, Sir Richard Hawkins named them Hawkins Maidenland "in honor of Elizabeth I, the Virgin ('Maiden') Queen."
  2. Historian Bernadette Hince asserts that "he first definite sighting of the islands was in about 1600, by the Dutch navigator Sebald de Weert." Historian John Dunmore also supports this idea and further contends that "they appeared under this name on Dutch maps, and their existence was confirmed in 1614 by the expedition of Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire."
  3. Bougainville and Byron claimed the islands in the name of their respective kings, Louis XV of France and George III of Great Britain.
  4. Historian Daniel Gibran posits that Britain's withdrawal was "partly because of new strategic priorities and economic considerations", but "left behind a plaque" asserting the territory as "the sole right and property of His Most Sacred Majesty George the Third". Gibran adds that for the next several years, "Spain, through its vice-royalty in Buenos Aires, was the sole administrator of the Falkland Islands". However, the unsuccessful development of the settlement culminated in Spain's withdrawal amidst fears of invasion during the Napoleonic Wars.
  5. According to Argentine legal analyst Roberto Laver, the United Kingdom disregards Jewett's actions because the government he represented "was not recognized either by Britain or any other foreign power at the time" and "no act of occupation followed the ceremony of claiming possession".
  6. Vernet's venture received permission and encouragement from Buenos Aires; but, prior to departing for the Falklands, Vernet "took his grant to the British Consulate where it received their stamp". Historian Mary Cawkell explains that Vernet would again repeat his actions with the British Consulate after "the Buenos Aires Government extended his grant to cover the entire islands and Staten Island and exempted his enterprise from all taxation provided he established a colony within three years". Cawkell further claims that the positive relations between Vernet and the British Consulate led the former to express "the wish that, in the event of the British returning to the islands, HMG would take his settlement under their protection".
  7. The log of the Lexington reports only the destruction of arms and a powder store, but Vernet made a claim for compensation from the US Government stating that the settlement was destroyed. (Compensation was rejected by the US Government of President Cleveland in 1885.)
  8. Roberto Laver argues this is likely the result of government policies which successfully reduced the number of non-British populations that at one point also inhabited the archipelago. Laver claims that "naturalization ordinances" in the first decades of the British colony "show a wide variety of settlers from places in Europe, Northern, and Central America, and a couple from Argentina".
  9. In the 2013 Falkland Islands sovereignty referendum, "18 Argentines on the electoral register".
  10. Also, 91 Falklands residents were overseas at the time of the 2012 census.

References

  1. Joshua Project. "Ethnic People Groups of Falkland Islands". Joshua Project. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  2. ^ Central Intelligence Agency 2011, p. "Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Government".
  3. ^ "Keith Padgett, first Falklands' government CE recruited in the Islands". MercoPress. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Falkland Islands Census 2012: Headline results" (PDF). Falkland Islands Government. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  5. ^ "Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  6. ^ Avakov 2013, p. 54.
  7. ^ Avakov 2013, p. 47.
  8. "Falkland Islands will remain on summer time throughout 2011". MercoPress. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  9. Jones 2009, p. 73.
  10. Dotan 2010, p. 165. sfn error: no target: CITEREFDotan2010 (help)
  11. ^ Room 2006, p. 129.
  12. Paine 2000, p. 45.
  13. ^ Hince 2001, p. 121.
  14. Balmaceda 2011, p. Chapter 36.
  15. Osmańczyk 2003, p. 1373.
  16. "Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications". United Nations Statistics Division. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  17. G. Hattersley-Smith (1983). "Fuegian Indians in the Falkland Islands". Polar Record. 21 (135). Cambridge University Press: 605–606. doi:10.1017/S003224740002204X. Retrieved 1 February 2012. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  18. Carafano 2005, p. 367.
  19. ^ Michael White (2 Feruary 2012). "Who first owned the Falkland Islands?". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. Goebel 1971, pp. xiv–xv.
  21. Dunmore 2005, p. 93. sfn error: no target: CITEREFDunmore2005 (help)
  22. Heawood 2011, p. 182.
  23. Gustafson 1988, p. 5.
  24. Headland 1989, p. 66.
  25. Goebel 1971, p. 226, 232, 269.
  26. Gibran 1998, p. 25.
  27. Segal 1991, p. 240.
  28. Gibran 1998, p. 26.
  29. ^ Gibran 1998, pp. 26–27.
  30. ^ Gibran 1998, p. 27.
  31. ^ Marley 2008, p. 714.
  32. Laver 2001, p. 73.
  33. Graham-Yooll 2002, p. 48.
  34. ^ Sicker 2002, p. 32.
  35. Cawkell 2001, p. 48.
  36. Cawkell 2001, pp. 49–50.
  37. Cawkell 2001, p. 50.
  38. Smith 2006, p. 14.
  39. Pascoe & Pepper 2008, pp. 540–546. sfn error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFPascoePepper2008 (help)
  40. Laver 2001, p. 71.
  41. ^ Pascoe & Pepper 2008, pp. 541–544. sfn error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFPascoePepper2008 (help)
  42. ^ "A brief history of the Falkland Islands Part 3". Falklands.info. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  43. "Silas Duncan and the Falklands' Incident". USS Duncan Reunion Association. 2001. Retrieved 25 August 2011. The letters show that the USS Lexington, under the command of Silas Duncan, visited the Falklands in December, 1831, to investigate complaints by American fishermen that a "band of pirates" was operating from the islands. After finding what he considered proof that at least four American fishing ships had been captured, plundered, and even outfitted for war, Duncan took seven prisoners aboard Lexington and charged them with piracy. The leaders of the prisoners was Louis Vernet, a German, and Matthew Brisbane, an Englishman both of Buenos Aries.
  44. Tatham, 2008, pp. 117
  45. "Historical Dates". Falkland Islands Government. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  46. Edmundo Murray (1 November 2005). "The Irish in Falkland/Malvinas Islands". Society for Irish Latin American Studies. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  47. Charles Darwin in the Falklands, 1833 (Extracts from Darwin's Diary)
  48. "Darwin's Beagle Diary (1831–1836)". The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online. p. 304. Retrieved 23 July 2007.
  49. Lewis, Jason. "A Brief History of the Falkland Islands, Part 4 – The British Colonial Era". Retrieved 2 September 2011. In 1839 a British merchant adventurer, G.T. Whittington, formed the Falkland Islands Commercial Fishery and Agricultural Association and tried to put pressure on the British government to proceed with the colonisation of the Falkland Islands. He published a leaflet entitled 'The Falkland Islands' containing material acquired indirectly from Vernet, and then presented to the government a petition signed by owner a hundred London merchants, shipowners and traders demanding that a public meeting be held to discuss the future of the Falkland Islands. In April 1840 he wrote to the Colonial Secretary, Lord Russell, proposing that the islands be colonised by his Association. In May the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners decided that the Falkland Islands were suitable for colonisation. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  50. Tatham, 2008, pp. 382
  51. Tatham, 2008, pp. 510–511
  52. "CHAPTER 4 — The Battle of the River Plate". New Zealand Electronic Texts Centre. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  53. "A Brief History of the Falkland Islands Part 5 – The Argentine Claim". Falklands.info. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  54. "Líneas Aéreas Del Estado, LADE" (in Spanish). Argentine National Congress, Chamber of Deputies. 25 August 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  55. "Grumman HU-16B Albatross" (in Spanish). Asociación Tripulantes de Transporte Aéreo. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  56. "Fokker F-27 Troopship y Friendship" (in Spanish). Asociación Tripulantes de Transporte Aéreo. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  57. Lewis, Jason. "A Brief History of the Falkland Islands, Part 5 – The Argentine Claim". Retrieved 2 September 2011. In 1974 Britain and Argentina agreed that the islands would be supplied with petrol, diesel and oil by YPF, the Argentine State Oil Company, at mainland rates. Again, Islanders objected, increasingly uncomfortable at their economic dependence on Argentina. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  58. "Obituaries: Sir Rex Hunt". The Times. London. 13 November 2012. p. 53.
  59. "Las convocatorias nacionales de la última dictadura" (PDF) (in Spanish). Ministerio de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología de la Nación. 18 September 2006. p. 6. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  60. "Guide to the conflict". Fight for the Falklands—20 years on. BBC News. Retrieved 18 March 2007. The Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, and two junior ministers had resigned by the end of the week . They took the blame for Britain's poor preparations and plans to decommission HMS Endurance, the Navy's only Antarctic patrol vessel. It was a move which may have lead the Junta to believe the UK had little interest in keeping the Falklands.
  61. "Secret Falklands fleet revealed". BBC News. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 18 March 2007. Lord Owen, who was foreign secretary in 1977, said that if Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government had taken similar action to that of five years earlier, the war would not have happened.
  62. Casciani, Dominic (29 December 2006). "1976 Falklands invasion warning". BBC News. Retrieved 22 August 2011. The Franks Report into the eventual war noted that as tension mounted during 1977, the government covertly sent a small naval force to the islands—but did not repeat the move when relations worsened again in 1981–2. This has led some critics to blame prime minister Margaret Thatcher for the war, saying the decision to plan the withdrawal of the only naval vessel in the area sent the wrong signal to the military junta in Buenos Aires.
  63. "UN Resolution 502". Historycentral.com. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  64. "The Falklands Roundtable" (PDF). Miller Center, University of Virginia. 16 May 2003. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  65. Gold, Peter (2005). Gibraltar, British or Spanish?. Routledge. p. 39. ISBN 0-415-34795-5.
  66. "Falklands 25: Background Briefing". Defence Factsheet. United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  67. "Guide to the conflict". Fight for the Falklands – Twenty Years On. BBC News. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  68. ^ "Argentina and the Falkland Islands" (PDF). House of Commons Library. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  69. Falklands' land mine clearance set to enter a new expanded phase in early 2012, Mercopress, 8 December 2011
  70. "Falklands recover 370 hectares of Stanley Common made minefields in 1982 by Argentine forces". web page. Merco Press, Montevideo. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  71. ^ "Falklands/Malvinas". Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor. International Campaign to Ban Landmines. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  72. "Falklands' minefield clearance next phase moves to the capital Stanley Common". Mercopress. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  73. Cahill 2010, p. "Falkland Islands".
  74. "New Year begins with a new Constitution for the Falklands". MercoPress. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  75. ^ "The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008" (PDF). The Queen in Council. 5 November 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  76. Sainato 2010, pp. 157–158.
  77. Central Intelligence Agency 2011, p. "Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Transportation".
  78. Fletcher, Martin (6 March 2010). "Falklands Defence Force better equipped than ever, says commanding officer". The Times. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  79. ^ "Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory)". Travel & living abroad. United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  80. ^ "Argentina's Position on Different Aspects of the Question of the Malvinas Islands". Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores.
  81. Laver 2001, p. 125.
  82. Chenette, Richard D (4 May 1987). "The Argentine Seizure Of The Malvinas [Falkland] Islands: History and Diplomacy". Marine Corps Staff and Command College.
  83. Bound, Graham. Falkland Islanders at War, Pen & Swords Ltd, 2002 ISBN 1-84415-429-7
  84. UK held secret talks to cede sovereignty. The Guardian. 28 June 2005. Retrieved on 20 November 2011.
  85. "Argentina Reasserts Claim to Falkland Islands". VOA News. Voice of America. 3 January 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
  86. "No talks on Falklands, says Brown". BBC News. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  87. ^ Leonard, Tom (22 February 2010). "Falkland Islands: Argentina can't scare us, say islanders". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  88. Watt, Nicholas (28 March 2009). "Falkland Islands sovereignty talks out of the question, says Gordon Brown". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
  89. "Falkland Islands Government Overview". Falkland Islands Government. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  90. "Falklands referendum: Islanders vote on British status". BBC. 10 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  91. Brindicci and Bustamante, Marcos and Juan (12 March 2013). "Falkland Islanders vote overwhelmingly to keep British rule". Reuters. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  92. Reisman, W. Michael (1983). The struggle for the Falklands. The Yale Law Journal. p. 306.
  93. Summers invites Argentina to sit down and enter into a dialogue with the people of the Falklands
  94. "Falkland Islands: respect overwhelming 'yes' vote, Cameron tells Argentina". The Guardian. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  95. "Canciller argentino no acepta carta de los isleños". Terra. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  96. Ley Provincial (1990), Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur
  97. ^ Sainato 2010, p. 157.
  98. ^ Guo 2007, p. 112.
  99. ^ Klügel 2009, p. 66.
  100. ^ Hemmerle 2005, p. 318.
  101. ^ Central Intelligence Agency 2011, p. "Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Geography".
  102. Blouet & Blouet 2009, p. 100.
  103. Trewby 2002, p. 79.
  104. Jónsdóttir 2007, pp. 84–86.
  105. ^ Otley, Helen; Munro, Grant; Clausen, Andrea; Ingham, Becky (May 2008). "Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008" (PDF). Environmental Planning Department Falkland Islands Government. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  106. Clark & Dingwall 1985, p. 131.
  107. ^ Clark & Dingwall 1985, p. 132.
  108. Clark & Dingwall 1985, p. 129.
  109. Hince 2001, p. 370.
  110. Jónsdóttir 2007, p. 85.
  111. Bell 2007, p. 544.
  112. Bell 2007, pp. 542–545.
  113. ^ Royle 2001, p. 171.
  114. ^ Royle 2001, p. 170.
  115. Calvert 2004, p. 134.
  116. Hemmerle 2005, p. 319.
  117. Royle 2001, pp. 170–171.
  118. Central Intelligence Agency 2011, p. "Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - Economy".
  119. ^ Laver 2001, p. 9.
  120. ^ Minahan 2013, p. 139.
  121. "Falklands Referendum: Voters from many countries around the world voted Yes". MercoPress. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  122. ^ "Falkland Islands Census Statistics, 2006" (PDF). Falkland Islands Government. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  123. "Falklands questions answered". BBC News. 4 June 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  124. ^ "Education". Falkland Islands Government. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  125. The date of this picture is unknown, but the artist, Lt Lowcay, was the offical British resident in the islands from 1838 to 1839 (see "Part 33 - Louis Vernet: The Great Entrepreneur". A Brief History of the Falkland Islands. Falklands.info. Retrieved 28 November 2012.).
  126. ^ Wagstaff 2001, p. 21.
  127. Wagstaff 2001, p. 66.
  128. Wagstaff 2001, pp. 63–64.
  129. Wagstaff 2001, pp. 65.

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