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| <!-- DO NOT edit this article to include or remove any Spanish names without first discussing it on Talk. Any substantial changes without consensus on Talk may result in an immediate block from editing. --> | |||
| {{Infobox_Country | |||
| |native_name = Falkland Islands | |||
| |common_name = Falkland Islands | |||
| |image_flag = Flag of the Falkland Islands.svg | |||
| |image_coat = Falklands_Coat_of_Arms.png | |||
| |image_map = LocationFalklandIslands.png | |||
| |national_motto = Desire the right | |||
| |national_anthem = ] | |||
| |official_languages = ] | |||
| |capital = ] | |||
| |latd=51 |latm=42 |latNS=S |longd=57 |longm=51 |longEW=W | |||
| |largest_city = Stanley | |||
| |government_type = <small>] of the ] | |||
| |leader_title1 = Head of state | |||
| |leader_title2 = ] | |||
| |leader_name1 = ] | |||
| |leader_name2 = ] | |||
| |area_rank = 163rd | |||
| |area_magnitude = 1 E10 | |||
| |area= 12,173 | |||
| |areami²= 4,700 <!-- Do not remove per ] --> | |||
| |percent_water = 0 | |||
| |population_estimate = 3,060 | |||
| |population_estimate_rank = 225th | |||
| |population_estimate_year = July 2005 | |||
| |population_census = | |||
| |population_census_year = | |||
| |population_density = 0.24 | |||
| |population_densitymi² = 0.62 <!-- Do not remove per ] --> | |||
| |population_density_rank = 229th | |||
| |GDP_PPP = $75 million | |||
| |GDP_PPP_rank = 222nd | |||
| |GDP_PPP_year= 2005 | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $25,000 (2002 est.) | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = Not ranked | |||
| |sovereignty_type = ] | |||
| |sovereignty_note = <small>] of the ]</small> | |||
| |established_event1 = Liberation Day | |||
| |established_date1 = ] ] | |||
| |HDI = n/a | |||
| |HDI_rank = n/a | |||
| |HDI_year = n/a | |||
| |HDI_category = n/a | |||
| |currency = ]<sup>1<sup> | |||
| |currency_code = FKP | |||
| |country_code = | |||
| |time_zone = | |||
| |utc_offset = -4 | |||
| |time_zone_DST = | |||
| |utc_offset_DST = -3 | |||
| |cctld = ] | |||
| |calling_code = 500 | |||
| |footnotes = <sup>1<sup>Fixed to ] | |||
| }} | |||
| <!-- | |||
| ====================================================== | |||
| READ THIS FIRST ! | |||
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| The first sentence has been established as a compromise consensus between many editors in a long and difficult discussion (see talk page). Trying to either change the sentence to include less (e.g. "The '''Falkland Islands''' are an ]") or to include more (e.g. "The '''Falkland Islands''', (]: ''Islas Malvinas'') are an ]") will be reverted on sight without discussion by many of the editors part of the discussion. If you have overriding NEW arguments, please bring them to the talk page first! | |||
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| The '''Falkland Islands''', also called the ''Malvinas'', are an ] in the ], located 300 miles (483 kilometres) from the coast of ]. They consist of two main islands, ] and ], together with about 700 smaller islands. ], on East Falkland, is the capital and largest city. The islands are a self-governing ] of the ], but have been the subject of a ] by ] since the early years of Argentina's independence. | |||
| In ] the islands were invaded by Argentina, precipitating the two-month-long undeclared ] between Argentina and the United Kingdom, which resulted in the defeat and withdrawal of Argentine forces. Since the war there has been strong economic growth in both fisheries and tourism. The inhabitants of the islands, who are of mainly Scottish descent and consider themselves British citizens, generally support the current state of sovereignty. | |||
| ==Name== | |||
| The islands are referred to in the ] as " Falkland Islands". This name dates from an expedition led by John Strong in ], who named the islands after his patron, ]. The ] name for the islands, ''"Islas Malvinas"'', is derived from the ] name ''"Îles Malouines"'', bestowed in ] by ], after the mariners and fishermen from the ] port of ] who became the island's first known human settlers. | |||
| The Falklanders, as well as many British citizens, tend to consider as offensive the use of the name ''Malvinas'', as it has a strong association with Argentina's continued claim to sovereignty over the islands. Some English-language media sources use the ] designation of "Falkland Islands (Malvinas)". | |||
| ==History== | |||
| {{main|History of the Falkland Islands}} | |||
| The Falkland Islands have had a complex history since their discovery, with ], ], ] and ] all claiming possession and establishing as well as abandoning settlements on the islands. The Spanish government's claim was continued by Argentina after the latter's independence in ] and the independence war in ], until ] when the United Kingdom took by force control of the islands, following the destruction of the Argentine settlement at ] by the American sloop ] (], ]). Argentina has continued to claim sovereignty over the islands, and the dispute was used by the military ] dictatorship as an excuse to invade and briefly occupy the islands before being defeated in the two-month-long undeclared ] in 1982 by a United Kingdom task force which returned the islands to British control. | |||
| The islands were uninhabited when they were first discovered by ]an explorers. There is disputed evidence of prior settlement by humans, based on the existence of the ], or Warrah, on the islands, as well as a scattering of undated artifacts including arrowheads and the remains of a canoe. It is thought this ] was brought to the island by humans, although it may have reached the islands by itself via a land bridge during the last ]. | |||
| ] | |||
| The first European explorer widely credited with sighting the islands is ], a ] sailor, in ]. Although several ] and Spanish historians maintain their own explorers discovered the islands earlier, some older maps, particularly Dutch ones, used the name 'Sebald Islands', after de Weert. However, the islands appear on numerous Spanish and other maps beginning in the ]. | |||
| In January ], English sailor ], captain of the ''Welfare'', was heading for ] (in Argentina), but driven off course by contrary winds, he reached the Sebald Islands instead and landed at Bold Cove. He sailed between the two principal islands and called the passage "Falkland Channel" (now ]), after Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland (1659-1694), who as ] of the ] had financed the expedition and who later became First Lord of the Admiralty. From this body of water the island group later took its collective English name. | |||
| The first settlement on the Falkland Islands, called Port Saint Louis, was founded by the ] navigator and military commander Louis Antoine de Bougainville in ] on Berkeley Sound, in present-day ], ]. | |||
| Unaware of the French presence, in January ], English captain ] explored and claimed ], at the western end of the group, where he named the harbour of ], and sailed near other islands, which he also claimed for King ]. A British settlement was built at Port Egmont in ]. Also in 1766, Spain acquired the French colony, and after assuming effective control in ], placed the islands under a governor subordinate to ]. Spain attacked Port Egmont, ending the British presence there in ], but Britain returned in ] and remained until ]. Upon her withdrawal in ] Britain left behind a ] asserting her claims, but from then on Spain ruled unchallenged, maintaining a settlement until ]. On leaving in ], Spain, too, left behind a plaque asserting her claims. | |||
| ] | |||
| When Argentina declared its ] from Spain in ], it laid claim to the islands according to the '']'' principle, as they had been under the administrative jurisdiction of the ]. Following a proclamation of annexation in ], actual occupation began in ] with the foundation of a settlement and a penal colony. The settlement was destroyed by ] warship in ] after the Argentinian governor of the islands ] seized U.S. ] ships during a dispute over fishing rights. They left behind escaped prisoners and pirates. In November ], Argentina sent another governor who was killed in a mutiny. In January ], British forces returned, ], repatriated the remainder of the Argentine settlement, and began to repopulate the islands with British citizens. | |||
| The ] built a base at ], and the islands became a strategic point for navigation around ]. The ] naval battle, the ] took place in December ], with a British victory over the ]. During ], Stanley served as a Royal Navy station and serviced ships which took part in the ]. | |||
| Sovereignty over the islands became an issue again in the latter half of the 20th century. Argentina, which had never renounced its claim to the islands, saw the creation of the ] as an opportunity to present its case before the rest of the world. In ], upon signing the ], Argentina stated that it reserved its right to sovereignty of the islands, as well as its right to recover them. The United Kingdom responded in turn by stating that, as an essential precondition for the fulfilment of ], regarding the de-colonization of all territories still under foreign occupation, the Falklanders first had to vote for the British withdrawal at a referendum to be held on the issue. | |||
| ].]] | |||
| Talks between British and Argentine foreign missions took place in the 1960s, but failed to come to any meaningful conclusion. A major sticking point in all the negotiations was the 2,000 inhabitants of mainly British descent who preferred that the islands remained British territory. | |||
| On ], ], Argentina ] and other British territories in the South Atlantic (]), encouraged in part by the United Kingdom's reduction in military capacity in the South Atlantic and as a diversion from poor economic performance at home. The invasion was condemned by the United Nations Security Council, although world reaction ranged from support in the ]n countries (with the exception of ]), to opposition in Europe, the Commonwealth, and eventually the United States. The British sent a large expeditionary force to retake the islands leading to the ]. After a short but fierce naval and air war, the British landed at San Carlos Water on ] and a land war followed until the Argentinean forces surrendered on ]. | |||
| Following the war, the British increased their military presence on the islands, constructing ] and increasing the military garrison. Falkland Islanders were also granted full British citizenship. Although the UK and Argentina since resumed diplomatic relations in ], no further negotiations on sovereignty have taken place. | |||
| ==Politics== | |||
| <!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series--> | |||
| {{morepolitics|country=the Falkland Islands}} | |||
| ], ].]] | |||
| Executive authority comes from the Queen and is exercised by the ] on her behalf. The Governor is also responsible for the administration of ], as these islands have no native inhabitants. Defence and Foreign Affairs are the responsibility of the United Kingdom. | |||
| Under the ], the latest version of which came into force in ], there is an ] and a ]. The Executive Council, which advises the Governor, is also chaired by the Governor. It consists of the Chief Executive, Financial Secretary and three Legislative Councillors, who are elected by the other Legislative Councillors. The Legislative Council consists of the Chief Executive, Financial Secretary and the eight Legislative Councillors, of whom five are elected from Stanley and three from ], for four year terms. It is presided over by the Speaker, currently Geoffrey Lionel Blake. | |||
| The loss of the war against Britain over control of the islands led to the collapse of the Argentine ] in ]. Disputes over control of the islands continue. In ], British Prime Minister ] became the first to visit Argentina since the war. On the 22nd anniversary of the war, Argentina's President ] gave a speech insisting that the islands would once again be part of Argentina. Kirchner, campaigning for president in ], regarded the islands a top priority. In ] the issue was brought before a United Nations committee, and attempts have been made to open talks with Britain to resolve the issue of the islands. As far as the Falkland Islands Government and people are concerned there is no issue to resolve. The Falkland Islanders themselves are almost entirely British and maintain their allegiance to the United Kingdom. (See also ].) | |||
| Falkland Islanders were granted full British citizenship from ] ] under the ]. | |||
| ==Geography== | |||
| ] | |||
| {{seealso|Geology of the Falkland Islands}} | |||
| The Falkland Islands are 300 ]s (483 km) from the ]n mainland. There are two main islands, ] and ] and about 700 small islands. The total land area is 4,700 ]s (12,173 km²), approximately the same area as ] or ], and a ] estimated at 800 miles (1,288 km). | |||
| Much of the land is part of the two main islands separated by the ]: ], home to the capital of ] and the majority of the population, and ]. Both islands have ]s, rising to 2,313 ] (705 ]) at ] on East Falkland. There are also some ]gy ]s, most notably ], the southern half of East Falkland. Virtually the entire area of the islands is used as ] for ]. | |||
| Smaller islands surround the main two. They include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]. The ] lie to the north west of the main archipelago, and ] some distance to its south. Speedwell Island and George Island are split from East Falkland by ]. | |||
| The islands claim a territorial sea of 12 ]s (22 km) and an ] of 200 nautical miles (370 km), which has been a source of disagreement with ]. | |||
| The Falkland Islands have a cold marine climate with strong westerly winds. It is generally ]y and ]; ] occurs on more than half the days in a typical year. Snow is rare, but can occur at almost any time of year. 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"). | |||
| ==Economy== | |||
| ] | |||
| {{main|Economy of the Falkland Islands}} | |||
| ] farming was formerly the main source of income for the islands, and still plays an important part with high quality wool exports going to the UK, but efforts to diversify introduced in 1984 have made ] the largest part of the economy and brought increasing income from ]. | |||
| The government sale of fishing licences to foreign countries has brought in more than £40 million a year in revenues, and local fishing boats are also in operation. More than 75% of the fish taken are ], and most exports are to ]. Tourism has shown rapid growth, with more than 30,000 visitors in ]. The islands have become a regular port of call for the growing market of ]s. Attractions include the scenery and wildlife conservation with ]s, seabirds, ]s and ]s, and visits to battlefields, golf, fishing and wreck diving. | |||
| An agreement with Argentina has set the terms for exploitation of offshore resources including large oil reserves, but climatic conditions of the southern seas mean that exploitation will be difficult task, though economically viable, and the continuing sovereignty dispute with Argentina is hampering progress. Defence is provided by the UK and British military expenditure makes a significant contribution to the economy. | |||
| The islands are self sufficient except for defence, exports account for more than £125 million a year. | |||
| The largest company in the islands is the ], a publicly quoted company on the ] and responsible for the majority of the economic activity on the islands, though its farms were sold in 1991 to the Falkland Islands Government. | |||
| The currency in use is the ], which remains in parity with ]. The Falkland Islands also mint their own coins, and issue stamps which forms a source of revenue from overseas collectors. | |||
| ==Demographics== | |||
| ] with whale bone arch, ].]] | |||
| The population is 2,967 (] estimate), the majority of which are of British descent (approximately 70%). Those people from the United Kingdom who have obtained Falkland Island status, became what are known locally as 'belongers'. However, a few are of ]n descent. Some are the descendants of whalers who reached the Islands during the last two centuries. Furthermore there is a small minority of South American, mainly ]an origin, and in more recent times many people from ] have also come to work in the Islands. The Falkland Islands have been a centre of English language learning for South Americans. | |||
| Islanders call themselves "Islanders". Outsiders often call Islanders "Kelpers", from the ] which grows profusely around the islands, but the name is no longer used in the Islands. | |||
| <!-- it being used pejoratively in Argentina to mean ''second-class citizens'' as a reflection on the legal status of the islanders within the UK prior to the passing of the ]. | |||
| --> | |||
| The main religion is ]. The main denominations are ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The extra-provincial ] parish of the Falkland Islands is under the direct jurisdiction of the ]. The Falklands Islands form an ] of the Catholic Church. | |||
| ==Transport== | |||
| ] of the ] at ].]] | |||
| The Falkland Islands has two airports with paved runways. ], 30 miles west of Stanley acts as the main international airport, with flights operated by the ] to ] in Oxfordshire, ] with a refueling stop at ]. RAF flights are on Tri-Stars although it is common for charter aircraft to be used if the Tri-Stars are required for operational flights. Flights are also available to ] operated by ]. ] is a smaller airport outside the city, and is used for internal flights. Most settlements have grass air strips which are served by Islander aircraft. The internal flight schedule is decided a day in advance according to passenger needs and an announcement made on the radio detailing arrival and departure times the night before. Some flights also operate to British bases in the ]. | |||
| The road network has been improved in recent years, however, few paved roads exist outside Stanley and the RAF base. | |||
| ==Mines and Ordnance== | |||
| Thousands of land mines remain from the 1982 war which are securely and clearly fenced off with free maps available from the EOD (Explosive ] Disposal) office in Stanley. Care should still be taken as some beaches were mined and there have been concerns the tides could have moved some mines. The same applies where mine fields are close to rivers. Care should be taken in case mines have been washed out of the marked area by flooding. There is also ordnance left over from the war, although finds of this type are becoming rarer with the passage of time. | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| ] | |||
| * ] - naval engagement of the ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] - conflict between ] and ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{sisterlinks|Falkland Islands}} | |||
| * official site | |||
| * official site | |||
| * official site | |||
| * official site | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ==References== | |||
| * L.L. Ivanov et al, ''The Future of the Falkland Islands and Its People'', Double T Publishers, Sofia, 2003, 96 pp. () ISBN 9549150313 | |||
| * Carlos Escudé and Andrés Cisneros, eds., ''Historia de las Relaciones Exteriores Argentinas'', Work developed and published under the auspices of the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI), GEL/Nuevohacer (Buenos Aires), 2000. ( in Spanish) ISBN 9506945462 | |||
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Revision as of 14:16, 1 August 2006
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