Falkland Islands | |
---|---|
Motto: "Desire the Right" | |
Anthem: God Save the King (official) Song of the Falklands [a] | |
![]() Location of the Falkland Islands. | |
Capital and largest city | Stanley 51°42′S 57°51′W / 51.700°S 57.850°W |
Official languages | English |
Demonym(s) | Falkland Islander |
Government | British Overseas Territory[b] |
• Monarch | Charles III |
• Governor | Nigel Haywood |
Andy Keeling | |
• Responsible Minister (UK) | Vacant |
Legislature | Legislative Assembly |
Establishment | |
1833 | |
1841 | |
1981[c] | |
2002 | |
2009 | |
Area | |
• Total | 12,173 km2 (4,700 sq mi) (162nd) |
• Water (%) | 0 |
Population | |
• 2012 estimate | 2,932[1] (220th) |
• Density | 0.26/km2 (0.7/sq mi) (241st) |
GDP (PPP) | 2005 estimate |
• Total | $75 million (223rd) |
• Per capita | $55,400[2] (7th) |
Currency | Falkland Islands pound[d] (FKP) |
Time zone | UTC−3 (FKST[e]) |
Driving side | left |
Calling code | 500 |
ISO 3166 code | FK |
Internet TLD | .fk |
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The Falkland Islands are a group of islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of South America. They are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Argentina disputes this, and claims their sovereignty.
The Falklands War was fought over their possession during Margaret Thatcher's time as British Prime Minister. There are many islands in the group but the two biggest are East Falkland and West Falkland. As of the census of 2016, 3,398 people live on them. The people of the islands are British and speak English. The main income for the people is from fishing and sheep farming.
The Falkland Islands are about 300 miles (480 km) east of Argentina. Argentina and the UK had a short war in 1982 because Argentina claims to own the islands. The war lasted 6 weeks and about 1,000 soldiers were killed. The UK defeated Argentina and after this the governments of the two countries would not negotiate (talk) with each other. In 1990 they began to have talks again, but Argentina later refused to continue talks.
Oil and gas has been found below the sea around the islands. There is also oil and gas outside the sea area that belongs to the UK. This is owned by Argentina.