Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic continental shelf consisting of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, and a number of smaller islands. The Falkland Islands are located at {{coor dms|51|45|00|S|059|10|00|W|}}. The Falkland Islands are a largely self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom but are claimed by Argentina to be part of its national territory. Stanley, is the capital and largest city, on East Falkland.

Demographics

The population is 2,967 (July 2003 estimate), the majority of which are of British descent (approximately 70%). Those people from the United Kingdom who have obtained Falkland Island status, became what are known locally as 'belongers'. However a few are of Scandinavian descent. Some are the descendants of whalers who reached the Islands during the last two centuries. Furthermore there is a small minority of South American, mainly Chilean origin, and in more recent times many people from St Helena have also come to work in the Islands. The Falkland Islands have been a centre of English language learning for South Americans.

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Islanders call themselves "Islanders". Outsiders often call Islanders "Kelpers", from the kelp which grows profusely around the islands, but the name is no longer used in the Islands.

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