(Islas Malvinas)
(dependent territory of the UK)
GEOGRAPHY
Total area: 12,170 km2; land area: 12,170 km2; includes the two
main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
Comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims:
Continental shelf: 100 meter depth;
Exclusive fishing zone: 150 nm;
Territorial sea: 12 nm
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
Natural resources: fish and wildlife
Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and
pastures 99%; forest and woodland 0%; other 1%
Environment: poor soil fertility and a short growing season
Note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors
PEOPLE
Population: 1,968 (July 1991), growth rate NEGL% (1991)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1991)
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1991)
Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1991)
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1991)
Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1991)
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991)
Nationality: noun--Falkland Islander(s); adjective--Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions: almost totally British
Religion: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, and United Free
Church; Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day
Adventist
Language: English
Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age
5 to 15 (1988)
Labor force: 1,100 (est.); agriculture, mostly
sheepherding about 95%
Organized labor: Falkland Islands General Employees Union, 400
members
GOVERNMENT
Long-form name: Colony of the Falkland Islands
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Stanley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Constitution: 3 October 1985
Legal system: English common law
National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
Head of Government--Governor William Hugh FULLERTON (since NA
1988)
Political parties: NA
Suffrage: universal at age 18
Elections:
Legislative Council--last held 11 October 1989 (next to be
held October 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA;
seats--(10 total, 8 elected) number of seats by party NA
Member of: ICFTU
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
Overview: The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or
indirectly employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to
meet domestic consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are
primarily those for providing winter fodder. Exports feature shipments
of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins.
Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited
by the islanders. So far efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry
have been unsuccessful. In 1987 the government began selling
fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands
exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more than $40
million per year and are a primary source of income for the
government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development
Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the
abundant wildlife and trout fishing.
Exchange rates: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1--0.5171 (January
1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817
(1986), 0.7714 (1985); note--the Falkland pound is at par with the
British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
COMMUNICATIONS
Highways: 510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 km
unimproved earth
Ports: Port Stanley
Civil air: no major transport aircraft
Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways;
none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m;
none with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m
Telecommunications: government-operated radiotelephone and private
VHF/CB radio networks provide effective service to almost all points on
both islands; 590 telephones; stations--2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic
Ocean INTELSAT earth station with links through London to other countries
DEFENSE FORCES
Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal
Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines); Police Force
