1996 Edition

Description

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

Location

51 45 S, 59 00 W -- Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Flag ----

Area

comparative area

slightly smaller than Connecticut

land area

12,170 sq km

note

includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands

total area

12,170 sq km

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

international agreements

NA

natural hazards

strong winds persist throughout the year

Geographic coordinates

51 45 S, 59 00 W

Geographic note

deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

International disputes

administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

0%

forest and woodland

0%

meadows and pastures

99%

other

1%

permanent crops

0%

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

Terrain

rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains

highest point

Mount Usborne 705 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Birth rate

NA births/1,000 population

Death rate

NA deaths/1,000 population

Ethnic divisions

British

Infant mortality rate

NA deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

female

NA years

male

NA years

total population

NA years

Nationality

adjective

Falkland Island

noun

Falkland Islander(s)

Net migration rate

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

2,374 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

2.43% (1996 est.)

Religions

primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist

Sex ratio

all ages

NA male(s)/female

at birth

NA male(s)/female

under 15 years

NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

NA children born/woman

Administrative divisions

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Capital

Stanley

Constitution

3 October 1985

Data code

FA

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch

head of government

Governor R. RALPH (since NA) was appointed by the queen

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)

International organization participation

ICFTU

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral

Legislative Council

elections last held 11 October 1989 (next was to be held NA October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected) independents 8

Name of country

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 of government

dependent territory of the UK

US diplomatic representation

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Agriculture

fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small dairy herds

Budget

expenditures

$28.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993-94 est.)

revenues

$42.7 million

Currency

1 Falkland pound (LF) = 100 pence

Economic aid

note

UK, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments totaled $18 million (1993-94)

recipient

ODA, $NA

Economic 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. An agreement between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves.

Electricity

capacity

9,200 kW

consumption per capita

7,253 kWh (1993)

production

17 million kWh

Exchange rates

Falkland pound (LF) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound

Exports

$5.4 million

commodities

wool, hides, meat

partners

UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992)

External debt

$NA

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP

purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP per capita

$NA

GDP real growth rate

NA%

Imports

$26.2 million

commodities

food, clothing, timber, and machinery

partners

UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

wool and fish processing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA%

Labor force

1,100 (est.)

by occupation

agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)

Unemployment rate

NA%; labor shortage

Branches

British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force

Defense expenditures

$NA, NA% of GDP

Defense note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios

1,000 (1992 est.)

Telephone system

domestic

government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands

international

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries

Telephones

1,180 (1991 est.)

Television broadcast stations

1 (government operated)

Televisions

NA Defense

Airports

total

5

with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

1

with paved runways under 914 m

4 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

30 km

total

510 km

unpaved

480 km

Merchant marine

none

Ports

Stanley

Railways

0 km