Special Sub-Topic: The Falkland Islands Click Here To Play: The Falkland Islands

When did Europeans first discover the Falklands?

1592. The islands were discovered by the English ship of John Davis. They were also first explored by the British, in 1690. The first settlement was French, and a British settlement was established, but the islands were then taken by the Spanish in 1774. The Spanish were expelled by the British and Americans by 1811. One early report mentions the discovery of a native boat, raising interest in looking for evidence of an aboriginal population, but it seems the islands were uninhabited when European settlement began.

Where, roughly, will you find the Falkland Islands?

400 miles east of Tierra del Fuego. They lie near the southern tip of South America, south of the 50th parallel. This means they are further south than South Africa, Australia or New Zealand. Christ Church Cathedral, on the islands, is the southernmost in the world.

What is the approximate population of the Falklands (excluding military personnel)?

2,400. There can be up to another 2,000 military personnel on the islands, staying temporarily. Also on the islands are about 700,000 sheep!

On which of the Falkland Islands do the vast majority of the population live?

East Falkland. East and West Falkland are the largest of over 200 islands, comprising more than 4,700 square miles of mainly hilly land. Smaller islands, such as Sea Lion and Carcass Islands afford some of the best opportunities to see the diversity of wildlife in the Falklands.

What is the name of the capital of the Falkland Islands?

Port Stanley. Around 2,000 people live in Port Stanley, the remotest capital in the world. The areas outside Stanley are known locally as ‘Camp’, from the Spanish ‘campo’, for ‘country’. Indeed, many place names arise from the former Spanish and French settlements on the islands.

Which of these is NOT one of the major industries of the Falklands?

Meat. Given the huge numbers of sheep on the island, wool, and hides, have always been major exports. Tourism has grown in recent years, and fishing, mainly by international vessels, and mostly for squid, is now the main source of income for the islands. An EU-standard abattoir has recently been built, but meat is not likely to be a significant industry in the near future.

While on the Falklands, people love to spot the plentiful penguins. How many different species breed on the islands?

Five. The Falklands boast many of the world's Rockhopper and Gentoo penguins, and smaller populations of King, Magellanic (or ‘Jackass’) and Macaroni penguins. Seals, sea lions and many species of birds can also been seen on the islands, which were explored by Charles Darwin as part of his research into evolution.

Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982, and still claims them. What is the Argentinean name for the Falkland Islands?

Islas Malvinas. The occupation of the ‘Malvinas’, as Argentineans refer to the islands, was short-lived, as the UK organised a bloody counter-invasion. The Argentinean claim to the islands is based on the disputed sovereignty claimed by Spain in the nineteenth century and an interpretation of the islands as an oppressed British colony.

The Falklands are really quite remote. Which is the only one of these facilities could you find there?

Cinema. There is a cinema at the main military base on the islands. Schooling is available in Port Stanley (children from other parts of the islands have to board), but college and university education is usually arranged in Britain. Mobile phone reception has only been available since December 2005. Commonly purchased goods can be found in the islands’ shops, but clothing and many other things have to be ordered from catalogues. There is a radio station, and no shortage of pubs, though!

There are military flights to the Falklands from Brize Norton, in the UK. From where could you catch a regular, scheduled flight?

Santiago, Chile. Relationships with Argentina are somewhat strained, so links have been made with Chile. Most fruit, vegetables and beer on the islands come from Chile. Most of the tourists arrive on cruise ships. Why not join them?