Home > Geography of the Falkland Islands

Geography

Geographic coordinates:

51°45' S, 59°00' W

Map references:

South America

Area:

• Total: 12,173 km²
• Land: 12,173 km²
• Water: 0 km²
• Note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands. Smaller islands include Barren Island, Beauchene Island, Beaver Island, Bleaker Island, Carcass Island, George Island, Keppel Island, Lively Island, New Island, Pebble Island, Saunders IslandSaunders Island is one of the Falkland Islands, lying north west of West Falkland. It is run as a sheep farm and has an area of about 120 km². Port Egmont on the island was the site of the first British settlement, established in 1765. When the British wi, Sealion Island, Speedwell IslandSpeedwell Island is one of the Falkland Islands, lying in the Falkland Sound, southwest of East Falkland. It has an area of 74 square kilometres. The island is rodent-free, and thus a haven for penguins and nesting seabirds. It is run as a sheep farm., Staats IslandStaats Island is one of the Falkland Islands, lying between Beaver Island and Weddell Island. It is known for its Patagonian foxes and guanacos, both introduced species. Other wildlife on the uninhabited island includes Magellanic penguins and other sea b, Tea Island , Weddell IslandWeddell Island is the third largest of the Falkland Islands, with an area of 98 square miles (254 km²). Until the late nineteenth century, it was known as Swan Island . Its small population lives in Weddell Settlement on the east coast, the remainder of t, West Point IslandWest Point Island is one of the Falkland Islands, lying west of West Falkland, from which it is separated by the Wooly Cut channel. It has an area of slightly less than 15 km² and is run as a sheep farm. The highest point on the island is Mount Misery at and the Jason IslandsThe Jason Islands are an archipelago in the Falkland Islands, lying north west of the main island group, and about 250 miles east of Argentina. None of the islands has ever been inhabited, but until the 1980s they were used for grazing sheep. They are now.

Area - comparative:

Slightly smaller than ConnecticutConnecticut is a state of the United States, part of the New England region. Connecticut was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. USS Connecticut was named in honor of this state. History Main article (USA) or Northern Ireland

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,288 km

Maritime claims:

• Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles (370 km)
• Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nautical miles (370 km)
• Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km)
• Climate: Cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate

Terrain: Rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains

Elevation extremes:

• Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
• Highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m

Natural resources:

Fish, wildlife

Land use:

• Arable land: 0%
• Permanent crops: 0%
• Permanent pastures: 99%
• Forests and woodland: 0%
• Other: 1% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

NA km²

Natural hazards:

Strong winds persist throughout the year

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

Deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

See also: Falkland Islands