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The Falkland Islands (Falkland Islands or Islas Malvinas in Spanish) are located in the southern Atlantic Ocean 450 km east of the south-eastern Argentine coast and north-east of Tierra del Fuego.
The Falkland archipelago, a British overseas territory, is formed by the two large islands of East Falkland and West Falkland, split between them by the Falkland Sound and complemented by about 200 small islands. The only port and settlement of the archipelago is Stanley. This inhabited center is located along the east coast of the island of East Falkland. The capital, Stanley, is home to over three quarters of the islands population. The other settlements rather than actual villages are farms and small settlements scattered throughout the archipelago.
ISLANDS LOST IN THE SOUTHERN ATLANTIC
The territory of the two main islands is hilly, The highest peaks are Mount Usborne with 705 metres on the eastern island and Mount Adam with 698 metres on the western island, The coasts are articulate and flat and sometimes marshy.
Sheep farming was formerly the main source of income for the islands. The main products exported were wool and skins. Now fishing ranks first in the economy and today tourism generates more and more income. Thanks to the development of cruises, tourism has become an important source of wealth for the population. The islands are appreciated for their unspoiled nature and for the chance to admire the local fauna including penguins, killer whales and whales. The Falklands archipelago is claimed by Argentina.
The climate of the Falkland Islands.
The Falklands Government page.
English text correction by Dietrich Köster.
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- Area: 12,173 sq km.
- Population: 3,060 (as of 2005): Europeans 100%: British (mainly Scottish and Welsh) 70%; furthermore French, Gibraltarians, Portuguese, Scandinavians, Saint Helenians and Chileans
- Main Settlement: Stanley.
- Official Language: The official language is English.
- Religion: Protestant majority and Roman Catholic minority
- Currency: Falkland Pound (FKP).
- Time Zone: UTC-4 hours, summer (DST) UTC-3 hours
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