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.

Geography

The islands are 300 miles (483 km) from the South American mainland. There are two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland and about 700 small islands. The total land area is 12,173 km², approximately the same area as Connecticut or Northern Ireland, and a coastline estimated at 1,288 km.

Related Topics:
East Falkland - West Falkland - Connecticut - Northern Ireland - Coastline

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Much of the land is part of the two main islands separated by the Falkland Sound: East Falkland, home to the capital of Stanley and the majority of the population, and West Falkland. Both islands have mountain ranges, rises to 705 m at Mount Usborne on East Falkland. There are also some boggy plains, most notably Lafonia, the southern half of East Falkland. Virtually the entire area of the islands is used as pasture for sheep.

Related Topics:
Falkland Sound - East Falkland - Stanley - West Falkland - Mountain range - Mount Usborne - Bog - Plain - Lafonia - Pasture - Sheep

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Smaller islands surround the main two. They include Barren Island, Beaver Island, Bleaker Island, Carcass Island, George Island, Keppel Island, Lively Island, New Island, Pebble Island, Saunders Island, Sealion Island, Speedwell Island, Staats Island, Weddell Island, West Point Island. The Jason Islands lie to the north west of the main archipelago, and Beauchene Island some distance to its south.

Related Topics:
Barren Island - Beaver Island - Bleaker Island - Carcass Island - George Island - Keppel Island - Lively Island - New Island - Pebble Island - Saunders Island - Sealion Island - Speedwell Island - Staats Island - Weddell Island - West Point Island - Jason Islands - Beauchene Island

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The islands claim a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22 km) and an exclusive fishing zone of 200 nautical miles (370 km), which has been a source of conflict with Argentina.

Related Topics:
Exclusive fishing zone - Argentina

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The Falkland Islands have a cold marine climate with strong westerly winds. It is generally cloudy and humid; rain occurs on more than half the days in a typical year. Snow is rare, but can occur at almost any time of year

Related Topics:
Cloud - Humid - Rain

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Islanders themselves talk about two main areas of the islands, namely Stanley and the rest, which they call "the Camp", from the Spanish campo ("countryside").

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