Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Broadcast media

TV service provided by a multi-channel service provider; radio services provided by the public broadcaster, Falkland Islands Radio Service, broadcasting on both AM and FM frequencies, and by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) (2007)

Internet country code

.fk

Internet hosts

110 (2012) country comparison to the world: 207

Internet users

2,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 209

Telephone system

general assessment: NA domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries

Telephones - main lines in use

2,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 217

Telephones - mobile cellular

3,300 (2011) country comparison to the world: 215

Agriculture - products

fodder and vegetable crops; venison, sheep, dairy products; fish, squid

Budget

revenues: $67.1 million expenditures: $75.3 million (FY09/10)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5% of GDP (FY09/10) country comparison to the world: 157

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming but fishing and tourism currently comprise the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees net more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. The waters around the Falkland Islands are known for their squid, which account for around 75% of the annual 200,000 ton fish catch. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and from the sale of postage stamps and coins. In 2001, the government purchased 100 reindeer with the intent to increase the number to 10,000 over the following 20 years so that Falkland could export venison to Scandinavia and Chile. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. In 1993 the British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. Political tensions between the UK and Argentina remain high following the start of oil drilling activities in the waters. In September 2011, a British exploration firm announced that it plans to commence oil production in 2016.

Exchange rates

Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.6324 (2012) 0.624 (2011) 0.6472 (2010) 0.6175 (2009)

Exports

$125 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Exports - commodities

wool, hides, meat, venison, fish, squid

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$164.5 million (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$164.5 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 $105.1 million (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 95% industry: NA% services: NA% (1996)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$55,400 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$90 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 212

Imports - commodities

fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.2% (2003) country comparison to the world: 15 3.6% (1998)

Labor force

5,246 (2006) country comparison to the world: 220

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) industry and services: 5% (1996)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

40.8% of GDP (FY09/10) country comparison to the world: 49

Unemployment rate

4.1% (2010) country comparison to the world: 35

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

45,780 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Electricity - consumption

17.67 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Electricity - from fossil fuels

90% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Electricity - from other renewable sources

10% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Electricity - installed generating capacity

10,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Electricity - production

19 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Refined petroleum products - consumption

300 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 210

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Refined petroleum products - imports

312.5 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Area

total: 12,173 sq km country comparison to the world: 165 land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate

cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate

Coastline

1,288 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m

Environment - current issues

overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster

Geographic coordinates

51 45 S, 59 00 W

Geography - note

deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005)

Location

Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

strong winds persist throughout the year

Natural resources

fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss

Terrain

rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Capital

name: Stanley geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April

Constitution

1 January 2009

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Nigel HAYWOOD (since 16 October 2010) is the Queen's representative; Chief Executive Keith PADGETT (since 1 February 2012) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor; the governor must obey the rulings of the Executive Council on domestic affairs (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief executive appointed by the governor

Flag description

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once 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

Government type

NA

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

International organization participation

UPU

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Legal system

English common law and local statutes

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; members to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held on 5 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2013) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8

National anthem

name: "Song of the Falklands"" lyrics/music: Christopher LANHAM note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

National symbol(s)

ram

Political parties and leaders

none; all independents

Political pressure groups and leaders

Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. With hostilities ended and Argentine forces withdrawn, UK administration resumed.

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military branches

no regular military forces

Military expenditures

NA

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2012 est.)

Birth rate

NA

Death rate

NA

Ethnic groups

British

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: NA male: NA female: NA

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

Literacy

NA

Major cities - population

STANLEY (capital) 2,000 (2009)

Nationality

noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island

Net migration rate

NA

Population

3,140 (July 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 231

Population growth rate

0.011% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Religions

Christian 67.2%, none 31.5%, other 1.3% (2006 census)

Total fertility rate

NA

Urbanization

urban population: 74% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks

Airports

7 (2012) country comparison to the world: 167

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Stanley

Roadways

total: 440 km country comparison to the world: 198 paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2008)