1993 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1993 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
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
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
Coastline
1,288 km
Environment
poor soil fertility and a short growing season
International disputes
administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Irrigated land
NA km2
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 99% forest and woodland: 0% other: 1%
Location
in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the southern coast of Argentina
Map references
Antarctic Region, South America
Maritime claims
continental shelf: 100 m depth exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural resources
fish, wildlife
Note
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors
Terrain
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
People and Society
Birth rate
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate
NA deaths/1,000 population
Ethnic divisions
British
Infant mortality rate
NA deaths/1,000 population
Labor force
1,100 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Literacy
total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Nationality
noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island
Net migration rate
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Population
2,206 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate
2.43% (1993 est.)
Religions
primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Total fertility rate
NA children born/woman
Government
Administrative divisions
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Capital
Stanley
Chief of State
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Constitution
3 October 1985
Digraph
FA
Diplomatic representation in US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch
British monarch, governor, Executive Council
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
Head of Government
Governor David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992)
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Legal system
English common law
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Council
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
Member of
ICFTU
Names
conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
National holiday
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Type
dependent territory of the UK
US diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Economy
Agriculture
predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable crops
Budget
revenues $62.7 million; expenditures $41.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90)
Currency
1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence
Economic aid
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million
Electricity
9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,940 kWh per capita (1992)
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
Exports
at least $14.7 million commodities: wool, hides and skins, and meat partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
Imports
at least $13.9 million commodities: food, clothing, fuels, and machinery partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
wool and fish processing
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
7.4% (1980-87 average)
National product
GDP $NA
National product per capita
$NA
National product real growth rate
NA%
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.
Unemployment rate
NA%; labor shortage
Communications
Airports
total: 5 usable: 5 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
Highways
510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 km unimproved earth
Ports
Stanley
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
Military and Security
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