The world’s most southerly and remote capital.
Eastern Islands, Falkland Islands
Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands, is a warm, welcoming place where everyone has time to say “hello”. This, the world’s smallest and safest capital city, is barely the size of a village and is easy to explore on foot. A ramshackle mix of architectural styles, from a small row of British-style terrace houses, to brightly coloured corrugated iron clad homes, the high street contains several surprising reminders of the town folk’s links to their roots in the United Kingdom, including traditional British telephone boxes and the Union Jack flying proudly from flagpoles around the town.
Background
Founded in 1844 as a good harbour in a sheltered bay, Stanley was originally a staging port for ships making the passage around the Horn. Although the Falklands War in 1982 brought a large number of Argentinean troops to the town, little damage was done and it remains an attractive place to visit. The small Cathedral at its heart has an unusual arch outside, made from whales’ jaw bones, there is an excellent museum, good shops and some outstanding walking trails nearby where you can enjoy wonderful birdlife and views right outside the town.
Stanley is the commercial heart of the Falkland islands. It is the centre for the island’s wool and fish industries and – with oil having been discovered nearby – may well grow in size and prosperity in the future.