©Copyright MSCOMM 2004
Photo: Top to toe at Sea Lion Island
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Islas Malvinas
Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina.
Situated on the Southern South America, in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Area
12,173 sq km - includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small
islands
Status
overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
Capital
Stanley
Currency
Pound, sterling
Language spoken
English
Climate
cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of
days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year,
except in January and February, but does not accumulate
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