FALKLAND ISLANDS (Islas Malvinas) (dependent territory of the UK) GEOGRAPHY Total area: 12,170 km2; land area: 12,170 km2; includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 100 meter depth; Exclusive fishing zone: 150 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 and wildlife Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 99%; forest and woodland 0%; other 1% Environment: poor soil fertility and a short growing season Note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors PEOPLE Population: 1,968 (July 1991), growth rate NEGL% (1991) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1991) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1991) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1991) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1991) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1991) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991) Nationality: noun--Falkland Islander(s); adjective--Falkland Island Ethnic divisions: almost totally British Religion: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, and United Free Church; Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Language: English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 15 (1988) Labor force: 1,100 (est.); agriculture, mostly sheepherding about 95% Organized labor: Falkland Islands General Employees Union, 400 members GOVERNMENT Long-form name: Colony of the Falkland Islands Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Governor William Hugh FULLERTON (since NA 1988) Political parties: NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Council--last held 11 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(10 total, 8 elected) number of seats by party NA Member of: ICFTU 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 is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to meet domestic consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are primarily those for providing 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. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more than $40 million per year and are a primary source of income for the government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (1980-87 average) Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage Budget: revenues $62.7 million; expenditures $41.8 million, excluding capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: at least $14.7 million; commodities--wool, hides and skins, and other; partners--UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.) Imports: at least $13.9 million; commodities--food, clothing, fuels, and machinery; partners--UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,680 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: wool and fish processing Agriculture: predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable crops Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $109 million Currency: Falkland pound (plural--pounds); 1 Falkland pound (LF) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1--0.5171 (January 1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714 (1985); note--the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March COMMUNICATIONS Highways: 510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 km unimproved earth Ports: Port Stanley Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m Telecommunications: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands; 590 telephones; stations--2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station with links through London to other countries DEFENSE FORCES Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines); Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK