Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)'s Geography | Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Geography

Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina

Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W

Map references: South America

Area: Total: 12,173 sq km land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands

Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 1,288 km

Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

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

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, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss

Land use: Arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2001)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: Strong winds persist throughout the year

Environment - current issues: Overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster

Environment - international agreements:

Geography - note: Deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

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