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Falklands Islands

Falkland Islands
Flag of Falkland Islands
Coat of arms of Falkland Islands
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Desire the Right"
Anthem: "God Save the Queen" (official)
"Song of the Falklands"
Location of the Falkland Islands
Location of the Falkland Islands
Status British Overseas Territory
Capital
and largest settlement
Stanley
51°42′S 57°51′W / 51.700°S 57.850°W / -51.700; -57.850
Official languages English
Demonym Falkland Islander
Government Parliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy
• Monarch
Elizabeth II
• Governor
Colin Roberts
Barry Rowland
• UK minister responsible
Alan Duncan MP
Legislature Legislative Assembly
Establishment
1833
1841
1981
2002
2009
Area
• Total
12,200 km2 (4,700 sq mi) (157th)
• Water (%)
0
Population
• 2012 estimate
2,932 (220th)
• Density
0.26/km2 (0.7/sq mi) (241st)
GDP (PPP) 2013 estimate
• Total
$228.5 million
• Per capita
$77,962 (9th)
Gini (2010) 34.17
medium · 64th
HDI (2010) 0.874
very high · 20th
Currency Falklands pound (FKP)
Time zone FKST(UTC−3)
Drives on the left
Calling code +500
ISO 3166 code FK
Internet TLD .fk
  1. ^ "Song of the Falklands" is used as the islands' anthem at sporting events.
  2. ^ Fixed to the pound sterling (GBP).
  3. ^ The Falklands has been on FKST year-round since September 2010.

The Falkland Islands (/ˈfɔːlklənd/; Spanish: Islas Malvinas, pronounced: [ˈizlaz malˈβinas]) are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 300 miles (483 kilometres) east of South America's southern Patagonian coast, at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago, with an area of 4,700 square miles (12,000 square kilometres), comprises East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 smaller islands. As a British overseas territory, the Falklands have internal self-governance, and the United Kingdom takes responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The islands' capital is Stanley on East Falkland.

Controversy exists over the Falklands' discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements. Britain reasserted its rule in 1833, although Argentina maintains its claim to the islands. In April 1982, Argentine forces temporarily occupied the islands. British administration was restored two months later at the end of the Falklands War. Most Falklanders favour the archipelago remaining a UK overseas territory, but its sovereignty status is part of an ongoing dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom.


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