Introduction - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): |
Location - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): |
Location | Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina |
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Geographic coordinates | 51 45 S, 59 00 W |
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Map references | South America |
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Area | total: 12,173 sq km
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 |
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Area comparative | slightly smaller than Connecticut |
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Land boundaries | 0 km |
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Coastline | 1,288 km |
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Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
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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 does not accumulate |
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Terrain | rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains |
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Elevation extremes | lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m |
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Natural resources | fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss |
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Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005) |
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Irrigated land | NA |
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Natural hazards | strong winds persist throughout the year |
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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 |
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Geography note | deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season |
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People - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): |
Government - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): |
Economy - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): |
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Military - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): |
This page was last updated on 16 September, 2007