1995 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1995 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total 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
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
current issues: NA natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year international agreements: NA
International disputes
administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 99% forest and woodland: 0% other: 1%
Location
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Map references
South America
Maritime claims
continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural resources
fish, wildlife
Note
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
Terrain
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Birth rate
NA
Death rate
NA
Ethnic divisions
British
Infant mortality rate
NA
Labor force
1,100 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
NA
Nationality
noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island
Net migration rate
NA
Population
2,317 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate
2.43% (1995 est.)
Religions
primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Total fertility rate
NA
Government
Administrative divisions
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Capital
Stanley
Constitution
3 October 1985
Digraph
FA
Diplomatic representation in US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch
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
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
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Legal system
English common law
Legislative branch
unicameral
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) independents 8
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)
Political parties and leaders
NA
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: $65 million expenditures: $55.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992-93)
Currency
1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence
Economic aid
recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1992-93), $87 million
Electricity
capacity: 9,200 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 7,253 kWh (1993)
Exchange rates
Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990); 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, timber, 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 was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish 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. The economy has diversified since 1987 when the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993 and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day.
Unemployment rate
NA%; labor shortage
Communications
Radio
broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 radios: NA
Telephone system
590 telephones local: NA intercity: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station with links through London to other countries
Television
broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA
Transportation
Airports
total: 5 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 4
Highways
total: 510 km paved: 30 km unpaved: gravel 80 km; unimproved earth 400 km
Merchant marine
none
Ports
Stanley
Railroads
0 km
Military and Security
Branches
British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force
Defense expenditures
$NA, NA% of GDP
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ FAROE ISLANDS (part of the Danish realm)