*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Geography

Location:
  in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the southern coast of Argentina
Map references:
  Antarctic Region, South America
Area:
 total area:
  12,170 km2
 land area:
  12,170 km2
 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:
  100 m depth
 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
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 km2
Environment:
  poor soil fertility and a short growing season
Note:
  deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors

*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), People

Population:
  2,206 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
  2.43% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
  NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:
  NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:
  NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate:
  NA deaths/1,000 population
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
Literacy:
 total population:
  NA%
 male:
  NA%
 female:
  NA%
Labor force:
  1,100 (est.)
 by occupation:
  agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)

*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Government

Names:
 conventional long form:
  Colony of the Falkland Islands
 conventional short form:
  Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Digraph:
  FA
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)
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
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
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 David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992)
Member of:
  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

*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), 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.
National product:
  GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
  NA%
National product per capita:
  $NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7.4% (1980-87 average)
Unemployment rate:
  NA%; labor shortage
Budget:
  revenues $62.7 million; expenditures $41.8 million, including capital
  expenditures of $NA (FY90)
Exports:
  at least $14.7 million
 commodities:
  wool, hides and skins, and meat
 partners:
  UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)
Imports:
  at least $13.9 million
 commodities:
  food, clothing, fuels, and machinery
 partners:
  UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)
External debt:
  $NA
Industrial production:
  growth rate NA%
Electricity:
  9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,940 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
  wool and fish processing
Agriculture:
  predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable
  crops
Economic aid:   Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
  $277 million
Currency:
  1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
  Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652
  (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988); note - the Falkland
  pound is at par with the British pound

*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Economy

Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March

*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Communications

Highways:
  510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 km unimproved earth
Ports:
  Stanley
Airports:
 total:
  5
 usable:
  5
 with permanent-surface runways:
  2
 with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
 with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  1
 with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  0
Telecommunications:
  government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks provide
  effective service to almost all points on both islands; 590 telephones;
  broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth
  station with links through London to other countries

*Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Defense Forces

Branches:
  British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force, Royal
  Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK