Falkland Islands Travel Guide
Falkland Islands
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Remote and windswept, the Falkland Islands, known as Las Malvinas in Argentina) lie just under 500km (300 miles) east of Patagonia.
There are two main islands, East and West Falklands and around 700 smaller ones, mostly deserted. Most are hilly and the main vegetation is grass and shrubs, with some species endemic to the islands. There are few trees. The islands are a bird-watcher’s paradise with a wide variety of species, including five different types of penguins. There are no native land animals.
Almost 3,000 people live on the islands – most in the capital, Stanley. Everything outside Stanley is known as “camp” and scattered settlements can be found in, some in extremely remote areas. The main sources of income are fish and wool, although oil deposits have been found in the area.
While Argentina and Britain both maintain strong claims to the islands, most of the islanders are of British descent and are determined to remain so. The Argentinean invasion of the islands in 1982, was defeated following the short and nasty Falklands War, during which around 1,250 people were killed. Around 2,000 British military personnel are now based on the islands.
The Falkland Islands are home to an abundance of marine life, including five different species of penguins, whales and sea birds. Over 160 species of plant have now been identified with 14 of those listed as endemic, making the Falklands a great destination for a botany based holiday.
There are nineteenth-century shipwrecks, and battlefields from the 1982 conflict such as Goose Green and Pebble Island are poignant places to visit for those interested in recent military history.
Although most visitors come for the ‘outdoor life’, there are a number of excellent tourist lodges in different parts of the islands offering comfort and a very warm welcome.
The climate is temperate with the temperatures ranging from -5ºC in winter to 24ºC in summer. Rainfall is relatively low but strong winds are common. In fact, islands say that the climate in summer is similar to that of an English spring day, with less rain! Because the air is so clear and unpolluted, sunscreen is advisable.
Map of Falkland Islands
Areas of Falkland Islands
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Falkland Islands Travel Guide
