Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Geography:
Location:
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
51 45 S, 59 00 W
Map references:
Area:
total:
12,173 sq km
land:
12,173 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note: Includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
Area - comparative:
Slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 0 km
border countries: NA
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
Climate:
Cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain:
Rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Natural resources:
Fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other)
(2001)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
Strong winds persist throughout the year
Environment - current issues:
Overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster
Environment - international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - Note:
Deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season |
