Both the chief executive and the director of finance are appointed by the governor. There are no political parties, and all members of the legislature are elected as independents. Stanley Harbour is the islands’ main port; it has a commercial wharf and receives cruise ships. The main settlements are linked by roads and a government-operated air service, which also provides interisland passenger service. A coastal freighter travels around the two main islands to deliver supplies and collect the wool clip for transshipment to the United Kingdom.
Attractions on The Falkland Islands
- White grass (Cortaderia pilosa) and diddle-dee (Empetrum rubrum) dominate the grasslands.
- The chilly, damp climate inhibits the complete decomposition of plant matter and permits the accumulation of deep peat deposits.
- Although a small community, Falkland Islanders benefit from a range of local front-line services – health, police, fire and rescue – as well as many leisure and social amenities.
Under the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983, Falkland Islanders are British citizens. Navigate rocky trails, explore remote beaches, and uncover hidden gems teeming with wildlife—all far from the usual paths. Guided off-road tours offer a thrilling way to immerse yourself in the islands’ unspoiled beauty, rich history, and unique wildlife. An archipelago of more than 740 islands just 480km east of Patagonia, the Falkland Islands are a natural paradise in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Island shipping has a regular service to Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Pick up the weekly Penguin News, out on Fridays, to get a handle on island life. Argentina says it has a right to the islands, which it calls the Malvinas, because it inherited them from the Spanish crown in the early 1800s. It has also based its claim on the islands’ proximity to the South American mainland. Although a small community, Falkland Islanders benefit from a range of local front-line services – health, police, fire and rescue – as well as many leisure and social amenities.
You’ll easily breeze through Stanley’s vibrant streets, ticking off the main sights. Start by exploring the fascinating Historic Dockyard Museum, where you can dive into the rich history of this unique destination. Then, make your way to the iconic Christ Church Cathedral, a true symbol of Stanley’s charm with a stunning whalebone arch alongside.
The terrain is gentle and navigation straightforward, making it a perfect outing for walkers of all abilities. Mutton is cheap and plentiful and likely to appear in various forms on every menu you read. Seafood is not particularly popular on the Falkland Islands, but local squid, mullet and sea trout are usually excellent when you can get hold of them. Look out for the wonderfully named diddle-dee berries – used in jams – and the sweeter teaberries baked in cakes and pies. English staples like fish and chips, pasties and sausage rolls can be washed down with a glass or three of Chilean red wine. Oct-March is the summer season with plenty of sunshine and average temperatures reaching 15?
Meet the Falkland Islands’ Remarkable Wildlife – Watch Now
Sporting activities are popular on the islands and include bird-watching, fishing, and horseback riding. There are no longer any land mammals indigenous to the Falklands, the wild fox being extinct. About 65 species of birds, including black-browed albatrosses, Falkland pipits, peregrine falcons, and striated caracaras, are found on the islands. The Falklands are breeding grounds for several million penguins—mostly rockhopper, magellanic, and gentoo penguins with smaller numbers of king and macaroni penguins. Dolphins and porpoises are common, and southern sea lions and elephant seals are also numerous.
Discover The Falkland Islands’ Only Suspension Bridge
- Visitors can honor those who served by visiting memorials, museums, and key sites such as the Argentine Cemetery near Darwin and the British War Cemetery in San Carlos.
- The wool is sold in Great Britain and is the Falklands’ leading land-based export.
- Half the size of Wales, the islands boast white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and an abundance of native and migratory wildlife with over 227 species of bird and 14 species of marine mammal.
- Tourism, especially ecotourism, grew rapidly beginning in the early 21st century to become another leading sector of the economy.
- There are no political parties, and all members of the legislature are elected as independents.
The islands lie at the boundary of the subantarctic oceanic and tundra climate zones, and both major islands have mountain ranges reaching 2,300 ft (700 m). They are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on the main islands owing to predation by introduced species. Major economic activities include fishing, tourism, and sheep farming, with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports. Oil exploration, licensed by the Falkland Islands Government, remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina. Falkland Islands, internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Adventure Trekking: Top 3 Must-Do Walks on The Falkland Islands
Consistently high west winds average 19 miles (31 km) per hour, while the mean annual average temperature is about 42 °F (5 °C), with an average maximum of 49 °F (9 °C) and an average minimum of 37 °F (3 °C). The two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, and about 200 smaller islands form a total land area nearly as extensive as the U.S. state of Connecticut. The 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina plays a significant role in The Falkland Islands’ history. Visitors can honor those who served by visiting memorials, museums, and key sites such as the Argentine Cemetery near Darwin and the British War Cemetery in San Carlos. History buffs can explore battlefields, enjoy hill walks near Stanley, and delve deeper at The Falkland Islands Museum.
Expect changeable weather and bring clothing to cope with wind, rain and cold – the Falklands are as close to the South Pole as London is to the North. September is the month when wildlife starts to return to the island to breed. There are few visitors in the winter months between April and August. British force expels remaining Argentine officials from the island and installs a governor. The windswept and almost-treeless territory is made up of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, identifying addiction triggers as well as hundreds of smaller islands and islets.
Half the size of Wales, the islands boast white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and an abundance of native and migratory wildlife with over 227 species of bird and 14 species of marine mammal. The islands are self-governing, although foreign affairs and defence matters are handled by the British government. There are many youth groups, including Rainbows, Brownies, Scouts and Girl Guides, as well as sports and conservation clubs for younger people.
The Falkland Islands are a paradise for nature enthusiasts, offering an extraordinary array of wildlife in its pristine natural habitats. From charming Magellanic penguins to majestic sea lions, the islands are brimming with life, making them a bucket-list destination for anyone passionate about wildlife adventures. The UK sends a naval taskforce and some 9,000 troops to recapture the islands. Over 900 Argentinian and British service personnel are killed, as well as three islanders, during the 10-week war. Around 30% of the population are temporary residents, on short-term work visas or working at the RAF Mount Pleasant military base.
Squid are abundant in the waters surrounding the islands, but overfishing became an issue in the 1990s, and measures were taken to correct the problem. Stanley is a colourful seaside capital, home to 85% of the population, but if it’s a walk on the wild side you’re after, head to the outlying islands and settlements. Each spring, beaches are crowded with breeding elephant seals and sea lions and up to five breeding species of penguin. Almost the whole area of the two main islands, outside of Stanley, is devoted to sheep farming. The islands’ sheep stations (ranches) vary in size and may be owned by individual families or by companies based in Britain. Several hundred thousand sheep are kept on the islands, producing several thousand tons of wool annually as well as some mutton.