Falkland

The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 480 kilometers (300 miles) east of the southern coast of Argentina. The territory comprises two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, along with around 200 smaller islands. The capital and largest town is Stanley, situated on East Falkland.

Governance is semi-autonomous. The Falkland Islands Government handles most internal matters through a Legislative Assembly, while a Governor, appointed by the British Crown, represents the United Kingdom and handles external affairs and defense. The United Kingdom remains responsible for defense and foreign policy, and the territory has its own judicial and education systems.

Sovereignty over the islands has been disputed with Argentina. The United Kingdom has administered the islands since 1833, after a brief Argentine presence in 1820s and subsequent reassertion. The conflict culminated in the 1982 Falklands War, when Argentine forces occupied parts of the islands and were ultimately defeated by British forces. The dispute persists in diplomacy, though the islands maintain a degree of self-government.

The climate is cool and windy, with a temperate, subpolar character. The landscape is mostly rolling grassland with rocky shores, and wildlife includes penguins, seals, and a variety of seabirds. The economy historically depended on sheep farming; today it also relies on fishing, tourism, and public sector activity. The Falkland Islands use the Falkland Islands pound, pegged to the British pound, and many residents also use sterling.