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From: The CIA'sTHE WORLD FACTBOOK 1996

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Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

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(dependent territory of the UK)

Map

Location: 51 45 S, 59 00 W -- Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina

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Flag

Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

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Geography

Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 12,170 sq km
land area: 12,170 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 99%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 1%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

People

Population: 2,374 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 2.43% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions: British
Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages: English

Government

Name of country:
conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Data code: FA
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Stanley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution: 3 October 1985
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor R. RALPH (since NA) was appointed by the queen
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: elections last held 11 October 1989 (next was to be held NA October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected) independents 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Economy

Economic overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987, when the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. An agreement between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 1,100 (est.)
by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage
Budget:
revenues: $42.7 million
expenditures: $28.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993-94 est.)
Industries: wool and fish processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 9,200 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 7,253 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small dairy herds
Exports: $5.4 million
commodities: wool, hides, meat
partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992)
Imports: $26.2 million
commodities: food, clothing, timber, and machinery
partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: UK, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments totaled $18 million (1993-94)
Currency: 1 Falkland pound (£F) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Falkland pound (£F) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Transportation

Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 510 km
paved: 30 km
unpaved: 480 km
Ports: Stanley
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1995 est.)

Communications

Telephones: 1,180 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (government operated)
Televisions: NA

Defense

Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Original publicaton at http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo/wfb-all.htm (June 17, 1997).