|RNature and climate:|N About 200 islands 775 km northeast of Cape Horn.
The islands are noted for their outstanding wild life, including penguin and seal.
No forests. Covered by grass, moor and moss. Highest peak 705 m.a.s.l.
Average temperature in July +2°C and in January +9°C. Percipitation close to 700 mm.
|RPeople:|N 97% of the inhabitants are of British origin, with about 67% born in the islands. Besides there is a large British garrison.
|REconomy:|N Sheepraizing is the main industry. Wool is the principal product, but hides are also produced and exported.
Since the economic zone was enlarged to 250 km fishing has increased in importance and incomes from fishing now the largest source of revenues.
There are indications of large deposits of oil and natural gas.
|RHistory: |NBritish seamen visited the islands 1592 and 100 years later they were named after the viscount Falkland.
The first settlement was a French in 1764. A second, British, settlement was made in 1765.
Spain bought out the French in 1770 and drove out the British.
When the Spanish rule was overthrowned in Argentine 1806, the Argentine claimed to succeed Spain in the Falkland Islands, or Islas Malvinas which is the Spanish name. The British objected and reclaimed their settlement as a Crown colony.
On April 2 1982 Argentine occupied the islands but had to surrender to a superior British task force June 14.
South Georgia and the uninhabited South Sandwich Islands are dependencies of the Falklands.
