Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
dependent territory of the UKIndependence none (dependent territory of the UK)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) as the 1994 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 104 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Southern South America, in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the southern | coast of Argentina
25 fieldstotal area
12,170 sq km
land area
12,170 sq km
comparative area
slightly smaller than Connecticut
note
includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
continental shelf
100-m depth
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
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
arable land
0%
permanent crops
0%
meadows and pastures
99%
forest and woodland
0%
other
1%
current issues
NA
natural hazards
NA
international agreements
NA
People
18 fieldsnoun
Falkland Islander(s)
adjective
Falkland Island
Religions
primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
total population
NA%
male
NA%
female
NA%
by occupation
agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Government
Dependent territory of the UK
22 fieldsconventional long form
Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
chief of state
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government
Governor David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992)
cabinet
Executive Council; 3 members elected by the Legislative Council, 2 ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor
Legislative Council
- elections 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
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
The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly | employs most of the work force.
25 fieldsOverview
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.
revenues
$62.7 million
expenditures
$42.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90)
commodities
wool, hides and skins, and meat
partners
UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)
commodities
food, clothing, fuels, and machinery
partners
UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)
capacity
9,200 kW
production
17 million kWh
consumption per capita
8,940 kWh (1992)
recipient
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1992-93), $87 million
Exchange rates
- Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989);
- note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Communications
11 fieldstotal
510 km
paved
30 km
unpaved
gravel 80 km; unimproved earth 400 km
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
Defense Forces
British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force, | Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
3 fieldsBranches
British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).” The World Factbook 1994. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/falkland-islands/1994.