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Falkland Islands

Population: 2,841 (est.)

Language(s): English

Capital: Stanley

Interesting Facts:

The Falkland Islands pound is the official currency of the Falkland Islands.
The most predominant religion is Christianity, of which the primary denominations are Church of England, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, and Lutheran. There is also a Bahá’í congregation.
Falkland Islanders are legally British Citizens.
The islands are still subject to ownership disputes between Britain and Argentina.
And the country is littered with mines from the last war 1982.
90% of the island claims British birth or descent.
There are 500,000 sheep on the island.
There is only one town, Stanley.
English is the official language, though there is a small number of Spanish speakers. Many people on the island learn Spanish as their second language.
There are 7 pubs on the island and they don’t serve pints, only bottles.
There are no chain stores or ATMs on the island, and only one bank.
80% of the world’s breeding population of Black-Browed Albatross are on the island and five different types of penguin breed here.

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago located in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 310 miles (500 kilometres) east of the Patagonian coast at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago which has an area of 4,700 square miles (12,173 square kilometres) comprises East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 smaller islands. The islands, a British Overseas Territory, enjoy a large degree of internal self-government with the United Kingdom guaranteeing good government and taking responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The capital and only city is Stanley on East Falkland.

Controversy exists over the Falklands’ original discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times there have been French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements. Britain re-established its rule in 1833, though the islands continue to be claimed by Argentina. In 1982, following Argentina‘s invasion of the islands, the two-month-long undeclared Falklands War between both countries resulted in the surrender of all Argentine forces and the return of the islands to British administration.

The population, estimated at 2,841, primarily consists of native Falkland Islanders, the vast majority being of British descent. Other ethnicities include French, Gibraltarian, and Scandinavian. Immigration from the United Kingdom, Saint Helena, and Chile has reversed a former population decline. The predominant and official language is English. Under the British Nationality Act of 1983, Falkland Islanders are legally British citizens.

The islands lie on the boundary of the Subarctic maritime climate and Temperate maritime climate zones with both major islands having mountain ranges reaching to 2,300 feet (700 m). The islands are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on the main islands due to introduced species. Major economic activities include fishing, tourism, sheep farming with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports, and oil exploration. Oil exploration, licensed by the Falkland Islands Government, remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina.

Source: Wikipedia