Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas) are a group of islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of South America. They are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Argentina disputes this, and claims their sovereignty.

The Falklands War was fought over their possession during Margaret Thatcher's time as British Prime Minister. There are many islands in the group but the two biggest are East Falkland and West Falkland. As of the census of 2016, 3,398 people live on them. The people of the islands are British and speak English. The main income for the people is from fishing and sheep farming.

The Falkland Islands are about 300 miles (480?km) east of Argentina. Argentina and the UK had a short war in 1982, because Argentina claims to own the islands. The war lasted 6 weeks and about 1,000 soldiers were killed. The UK defeated Argentina and after this the governments of the two countries would not negotiate (talk) with each other. In 1990, they began to have talks again, but Argentina later refused to continue talks.

Oil and gas has been found below the sea around the islands. There is also oil and gas outside the sea area that belongs to the UK. This is owned by Argentina.

The islands were discovered and occupied by Europeans. They were not inhabited until 1754, when a French captain landed and founded Port Louie. The British landed in 1766 and created a settlement at Port Egmont on Saunders Island.[5] Spain discovered and captured Port Egmont in 1770. War was avoided by Spain giving it back to Britain in 1771.[6]

Later attempts by Spanish forces from the Río de la Plata to seize Falklands were ended in 1833,[7] when British forces took control.[8] In 1840, the Falkland Islands became a Crown Colony of the British Empire.

The Falklands became a British Dependent Territory in 1981. This followed the British Nationality Act 1981. In 1983 the Falkland Islanders were granted British citizenship. On 18 April 1985 the Falkland Islands Constitution Order 1985 came into force which increased the number of elected members of the Legislative Council to eight. It guaranteed the Falkland Islanders' rights and constitutional arrangements.[9] In 1997, the constitution was amended with regard to voters rights. In 2002 the Falklands became a British Overseas Territory with the British Overseas Territories Act 2002. On 1 January 2009, the current constitution came into force with the Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008. This replaced the 1985 version. It was agreed on by the UK Government and the Falkland Islands Government. The new constitution provided for finance, the public service, the administration of justice, and a Complaints Commissioner.[10]

The Falkland Islands have a land area of 4,700?sq?mi (12,000?km2) and a coastline estimated at 800?mi (1,300?km).[11] The archipelago is made of two main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland. It also has 776 smaller islands.[12] The islands are mostly full of mountains and hills,[13] with the main exception being the plains of Lafonia.[14] The Falklands is made of continental crust pieces made from the break-up of Gondwana and the opening of the South Atlantic that began 130?million years ago. The islands are in the South Atlantic Ocean, on the Patagonian Shelf. They are about 300?mi (480?km) east of Patagonia in southern Argentina.[15]

The archipelago's two main islands are separated by the Falkland Sound,[16] and its deep coastal indentations form natural harbours.[17] East Falkland has the capital, Stanley[18] and the archipelago's highest point, Mount Usborne, at 2,313?ft (705?m).[16]

The climate of the islands is cold, windy, and humid.[15] There is a lot of rain over half of the year, with an average of 610?mm (24?in) in Stanley. There is occasional light snowfall nearly all year.[13] Strong westerly winds and cloudy skies are common.[13]

Falklands culture is based on the cultural traditions of its British settlers but has also been influenced by Hispanic South America.[19] Falklanders still use some terms and place names from the former Gaucho inhabitants.[20] The Falklands' official and most common language is English, with the most common dialect being British English. Some inhabitants also speak Spanish.[19]

The islands have one weekly newspaper, The Penguin News.[21] The television and radio broadcasts mostly have programming from the United Kingdom.[19]