Information on Falkland Islands: Its Geography & History

INTRODUCTION

•  Full name: Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands

•  Capital City: Port Stanley

•  Language: English (official)

•  Currency: Falkland Pound - F£

•  Religion: Anglican

•  National Anthem: God Save the Queen.

•  Newspaper: Penguin News , Falkland Islands News Network, Sartma

•  Places to Visit: Sea Lion Island, Volunteer Beach, West Falkland

• Transport: Six civilian flights along with weekly flights ply from Santiago and Punta Arenas. Mount Pleasant International Airport is placed at the western side of Stanley. One can even avail the large cruise ships for reaching here.

• Shopping: Sweaters of pure Falkland Wool, local art, jewelry of pebbles, coins, stamps and books.

Travel beyond the seamless horizons of Falkland island which is a native to white sand beaches, colorful houses, magnificent cathedrals and colonial architecture. The place is even referred to as the Malvinas , which are known for having a self-governing structure of Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom .

LOCATION OF FALKLAND ISLANDS

Falkland Islands is nestled within the South Atlantic Ocean. The place is adjacent to the South America's coastal region with South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands lying towards the western end and the Elephant Island popularly known as Antartica lying towards the northern end.

PHYSICAL MAP OF FALKLAND ISLANDS

Falkland islands are constituted with two major islands placed within the northeastern part of the Cape Horn, which includes:

• East Falkland
• West Falkland along with 700 further minor islands.

Some of these minor islands located here are Barren Island, Beaver Island, Bleaker Island, Carcass Island, George Island, Keppel Island, Lively Island, and much more.

The northern part of the East Falkland is comprised with serrated rocks and boulder runs, while the southern region of Goose Green is comparatively flatter covered with white grass.

One can sight curved mountains with limited rock runs at the West Falklands.

Majority of the overall area in this island is alienated by Falkland Sound where Stanley, the capital city is placed within the East Falkland. The islands are covered with mountain ranges ascending at Mount Usborne within East Falkland. Get to see the marshy plains covering about southern half along the Lafonia region, which is within the East Falkland region.

The three major mountain ranges within the area are:

•  Wickham Heights on East Falkland, and

•  Mount Adam

•  Hornby Mountains on West Falkland.

CLIMATE OF FALKLAND ISLANDS

The climatic condition of Falkland Island is affected with oceanic weather circumstances. The place is affected with strong westerly winds in major portion of the region. The southeastern region is conditioned with frequent rain while the western part receives a minor portion of the down pouring. January and February are the months when snow generally occurs thereby making the weather cool enough. November and March are the best month to visit this destination. The summer is usually windy and dry accompanied with strong winds. Don't forget to carry your sunglasses while travelling here during the summer months.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF FALKLAND ISLANDS

The scenic beauty along with the presence of flora and fauna captures your sight while travelling here.

One can sight beautiful native penguins along with black-browed Albatross. The native birds that are found here are the Striated Caracara, Southern Giant Petrel, Red-backed Buzzard, Turkey Vulture, Rock Cormorant, King Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Patagonian Crested Duck, Silvery Grebe and much more. Among the rare species found here do capture the sight of the Striated Caracara ( Johnny Rook ) that can be seen here.

The place is a home to species like Porpoises, wales and dolphins. The place is even called as island of Penguins where different species of penguines thrive like the King, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Magellanic and Macaroni Penguins.

Among the native flora one should not forget to see the tussock, a tall grass of about 2 metres.

Giant petrels, magellanic penguins, straited caracara, turkey vulture, ducks and geese find their cozy habitat within this region.

Stay connected at Mapsofworld for all relevant information about the Falkland Islands Island.