Match 79 DB Rec# - 7,531 Dataset-WOFACT
Title :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Text :
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Header
Affiliation:
(dependent territory of the UK)
Geography
Location:
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of
southern Argentina
Map references:
South America
Area:
total area:
12,170 sq km
land area:
12,170 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
note:
includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small
islands
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200 nm
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Climate:
cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than
half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and
February, but does not accumulate
Terrain:
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Natural resources:
fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
99%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
1%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
strong winds persist throughout the year
international agreements:
NA
Note:
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
People
Population:
2,317 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
NA
15-64 years:
NA
65 years and over:
NA
Population growth rate:
2.43% (1995 est.)
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
NA
Life expectancy at birth:
NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
Nationality:
noun:
Falkland Islander(s)
adjective:
Falkland Island
Ethnic divisions:
British
Religions:
primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church,
Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages:
English
Labor force:
1,100 (est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)
Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form:
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Digraph:
FA
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Stanley
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution:
3 October 1985
Legal system:
English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government:
Governor David Everard TATHAM (since August 1992)
cabinet:
Executive Council; 3 members elected by the Legislative Council, 2
ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the
governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Council:
elections last held 11 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected) independents 8
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
NA
Member of:
ICFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of
the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is 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
Economy
Overview:
The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, which
directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. Dairy farming
supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature
shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and
coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently
exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing
industry have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987 when
the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating
within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more
than $40 million per year and support the island's health, education, and
welfare system. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development
Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant
wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for
defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration
zone around the islands in 1993 and early seismic surveys suggest
substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.4% (1980-87 average)
Unemployment rate:
NA%; labor shortage
Budget:
revenues:
$65 million
expenditures:
$55.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992-93)
Exports:
at least $14.7 million
commodities:
wool, hides and skins, and meat
partners:
UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.)
Imports:
at least $13.9 million
commodities:
food, clothing, timber, and machinery
partners:
UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
9,200 kW
production:
17 million kWh
consumption per capita:
7,253 kWh (1993)
Industries:
wool and fish processing
Economy
Agriculture:
predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable
crops
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1992-93), $87
million
Currency:
1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.6350 (January 1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658
(1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990); note - the Falkland
pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Transportation
Railroads:
0 km
Highways:
total:
510 km
paved:
30 km
unpaved:
gravel 80 km; unimproved earth 400 km
Ports:
Stanley
Merchant marine:
none
Airports:
total:
5
with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:
1
with paved runways under 914 m:
4
Communications
Telephone system:
590 telephones
local:
NA
intercity:
government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks provide
effective service to almost all points on both islands
international:
1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station with links through London to other
countries
Radio:
broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0
radios:
NA
Television:
broadcast stations:
0
televisions:
NA
Defense Forces
Branches:
British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy,
and Royal Marines), Police Force
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
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The World Factbook 1995,
SuDoc No: PREX 3.15:995
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