Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic, administered as a British Overseas Territory and claimed by Argentina, which calls them Islas Malvinas. The capital is Stanley.

Find Falkland Islands

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers. Names and geographic outlines do not resolve the UK–Argentina sovereignty dispute.

At a glance

Capital: Stanley
Languages: English
Currency: Falkland Islands pound (FKP)
Population: 3,6622021 Census · usually resident population · Falkland Islands Government
Area: 12,173 km²4,700.02 square miles
Status: British Overseas TerritoryAdministered by the UK and claimed by Argentina.

Falkland Islands in context

South America and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Stanley; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

Rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains.

Languages

Languages used in public life include English.

Location

Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km east of southern Argentina.

Flag

Blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms has a white ram above the ship "Desire" (whose crew discovered the islands), with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Falkland Islands Government · profile and census

History & status

European settlements began in the eighteenth century, and rival claims shaped the islands’ history. Britain established its administration in 1833. Argentina invaded in 1982; after a short war, British administration was restored. The islands remain a British Overseas Territory claimed by Argentina, which calls them Islas Malvinas. In a 2013 referendum, islanders voted overwhelmingly to retain their existing status; the sovereignty dispute remains unresolved.

1764
The first permanent European settlement is established
1833
Britain establishes its administration
1982
War ends with the restoration of British administration
2013
Islanders vote to retain their existing political status

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Falkland Islands Government · profile and census

Economy

Main activities

Fishing and fishing-licence revenues are central to the economy. Sheep farming, wool, tourism and public services also contribute. Remoteness makes freight, communications and transport expensive. Offshore oil resources are a development prospect; resource discoveries should not be confused with established production or current export revenue.

Industry and production

Fisheries, sheep farming and wool production, tourism and public services.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Falkland Islands Government · profile and census

Population

3,662 · 2021 Census · usually resident population · Falkland Islands Government

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Falkland Islands Government · profile and census

Government

A British Overseas Territory with internal self-government. An elected Legislative Assembly and Executive Council handle local affairs. A Governor represents the British monarch, and the UK retains responsibility for defence and foreign affairs. Sovereignty is disputed by Argentina.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Falkland Islands Government · profile and census

Knowledge check

Three questions about Falkland Islands.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

Which activity is central to the Falkland Islands’ economy?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Falkland Islands Government · profile and census

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.