Falkland Islands Facts & Worksheets

The Falkland Islands, also known as Malvinas Islands or Spanish Islas Malvinas, is an internally self-governing British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.

See the fact file below for more information on the Falkland Islands, or you can download our 27-page Falkland Islands worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• Although the English navigator John Davis aboard the Desire was the first to sight the Falkland Islands in 1592, it was Dutchman Sebald de Weerdt who recorded the first undisputed observation of them in about 1600.
• The earliest known arrival in the Falkland Islands was made in 1690 by English captain John Strong, who named the sound between the two main islands after Viscount Falkland, a British naval commander. The term was later transferred to the entire group of islands. In 1764, the French sailor Louis-Antoine de Bougainville established the first settlement on East Falkland and dubbed the islands the “Malovines”.
• The British took the initiative to occupy West Falkland in 1765. However, they were driven out by the Spaniards, who had purchased the French colony in about 1767. The British garrison on West Falkland was re-established after the prospect of war. 
• The British withdrew from the island in 1774 for economic reasons without relinquishing their claim to the Falkland Islands.
• The Buenos Aires administration, which had achieved independence from Spain in 1816, declared sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in 1820. The Argentine town on East Falkland was destroyed in 1831 by the US cruiser Lexington in retaliation for the detention of three US ships searching seals in the region. A British force evicted the few surviving Argentine officials from the island without using firearms in early 1833.
• A British civilian lieutenant governor was established for the Falkland Islands in 1841.
• Britain, for example, based its claim on its “open, continuous, effective ownership, occupation, and administration” of the islands since 1833 and its commitment to applying the principle of self-determination acknowledged in the United Nations Charter to the Falkland Islands.
• The UN General Assembly passed a resolution in 1965 encouraging Britain and Argentina to attend talks to reach an amicable solution to the conflict. These negotiations were ongoing in February 1982 when Argentina’s military government attacked the Falkland Islands on April 2.
• A smaller British force retook South Georgia island on April 25, 1982, as the British task force was cruising 8,000 miles (13,000 km) to the conflict zone via Ascension Island, capturing one of Argentina’s vintage US-made diesel-electric submarines in the process. 
• Following this contentious event, Argentine ships remained in port, with the Argentine navy’s role restricted to its naval air force and one of its newest German-made diesel-electric submarines. The latter posed a greater threat to the British fleet than predicted, executing narrowly successful torpedo strikes. 
• Meanwhile, the British naval troops and Argentina’s land-based air forces engaged fiercely. 
• Furthermore, Argentina’s military administration was severely tarnished for failing to prepare and sustain its military forces in the invasion it had ordered, and civilian rule was restored in Argentina in 1983. 
• On June 14, the leader of Argentina’s ground forces, Gen. Mario Menéndez, surrendered, thereby ending the fight. On June 20, British soldiers evacuated a tiny Argentine garrison from one of the South Sandwich Islands, some 500 miles (800 kilometers) southeast of South Georgia.

LAND: EAST AND WEST FALKLAND

• The main two islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, and over 200 smaller islands cover an area nearly the size of Connecticut in the United States.
• The Falkland Islands government also manages the British foreign territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, including the Shag and Clerke rocks, located 700 to 2,000 miles (1,100 to 3,200 km) towards the east and southeast of the Falkland Islands.
• Hill ranges run east-west across the northern regions of the two main islands, peaking at 2,312 feet (705 meters) at Mount Usborne in East Falkland. 
• Several drowned river valleys form safe harbors in the coastal landscape. Little rivers flow over vast, peat-covered valleys. The cold and windy environment of the islands provides few temperature extremes and relatively minor seasonal changes.
• The vegetation on the islands is low and dense in a landscape devoid of natural tree growth. The meadows are dominated by white grass and diddle-dee (Empetrum rubrum). Coastal tussock grass still covers offshore islands where livestock grazing has been controlled.

POPULATION AND ECONOMY

• The Falkland Islands’ population is English-speaking and mostly made of Falkland Islanders of British heritage. The living patterns on the islands are markedly different among Stanley and the small, secluded sheep-farming villages. Stanley is home to four-fifths of the population.
• Outside of Stanley, almost the whole territory of the two main islands is dedicated to sheep farming. The islands’ sheep stations (ranches) range in size and are held by individuals, families, or companies based in the United Kingdom. Several hundred thousand sheep were raised on the islands, producing tons of wool and some mutton each year.
• The wool is distributed in the United Kingdom and is the mainland-based export of the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands Corporation, founded in 1852 and awarded a Royal Charter in 1851, played a significant role in the island’s economic development and was the greatest sheep rancher for many years.
• In the late twentieth century, the government implemented laws to support the growth of smaller, locally owned and operated farms instead of corporate-owned farms. During the period, efforts were also made to diversify the islands’ economy.
• In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreigners, and the cash earned from such sales quickly became a significant contributor to the economy. A slaughterhouse was established in 2002, and sheep and lamb meat began to be shipped to the United Kingdom the following year. Seismic research showed the possibility of offshore oil reserves in the early 1990s, and international corporations granted exploring permits.
• The primary port on the islands is Stanley Harbour, which includes a business wharf and handles cruise ships. Several cruise ships stop at the outer islands as well. The principal settlements are connected by roads and an air service provided by the government that offers inter-island passenger travel. East and West Falkland connected via ferry.
• A coastal freighter goes around the two main islands delivering supplies and collecting wool clips for a transit point to the UK. Moreover, Mount Pleasant Military Complex has an international airport.

GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY

• The Legislative Assembly comprises ten members, eight appointed to four-year terms between two constituencies, and the other two are ex officio members of the Executive Council.
• There are no political parties in the legislature, and all members are elected as independents. The voting age is 18 years old. The 2009 constitution grants the islands’ administration more authority than the preceding (1985) constitution.
• The Falkland Pound is the national currency pegged to the British pound. The only bank is Standard Chartered Bank, based in London. Although there is low unemployment in the Falkland Islands, a lack of homes has discouraged immigration. 
• Stanley has a primary and secondary school with several top colleges in the surrounding countryside. Moreover, a hospital in Stanley offers free medical care.

CULTURAL EVENTS

• Stanley exemplifies the islands’ British past with pubs, bright red mailboxes, and well-kept lawns. Bird-watching, fishing, and horseback riding are among the favorite sports on the islands. Also, the Stanley Marathon has been held yearly since 2005.

Falkland Islands Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Falkland Islands across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands, also known as Malvinas Islands or Spanish Islas Malvinas, is an internally self-governing British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Falkland Islands Facts 
2. Tidbit Trivia!
3. Get That Name Right
4. You Should Know It!
5. Written Astronomy
6. FIP! FIP!
7. Revisiting History!
8. Watch or Play?
9. #DepictingStory
10. A Day in Falkland Islands
11. Living in Falkland

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the Falkland Islands located?

The Falkland Islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers) off the coast of South America. They are east of Argentina and west of the southern tip of South America.

Who claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands?

Both the United Kingdom and Argentina claim sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The islands have been a source of territorial dispute between the two countries for many years.

What is the population of the Falkland Islands?

As of September 2021, the population of the Falkland Islands was around 3,300 people. The majority of the population is of British descent, and the official language is English.

What is the economy of the Falkland Islands based on?

The economy of the Falkland Islands is primarily based on fishing, agriculture, and tourism. Fishing, particularly for squid and Patagonian toothfish, is the main industry. Agriculture, mainly sheep farming, also plays a significant role. Tourism is a growing sector, with visitors attracted to the islands’ unique wildlife and natural beauty.

Did the Falkland Islands experience a war?

Yes, the Falkland Islands were the site of a conflict known as the Falklands War in 1982. The war was fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the islands. The conflict lasted for about 10 weeks, resulting in the British recapture of the islands and the loss of lives on both sides.

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