The Falkland Islands Quick Facts
The Falkland Islands are a group of about 200 sub-antarctic islands in the south Atlantic Ocean, off the east coast of southern South America. They have a population of approx 2,200 people
The Falkland Islands have a 1200km coastline
The total area covered by the Islands is 12,170 sq. km. - this is approximately three times the size of the Isle of Wight in the UK.
The Falkland Islands were discovered in 1592 by Englishman John Davis
The highest point on the Islands is Mount Usbourne at 705m.
The economy of the Falklands was formally based on agriculture (mainly sheep farming) but today fishing contributes to the bulk of the economic activity for the Islands.
The Falkland Islands support an impressive array of wildlife, including large colonies of penguins, 15 species of whales and dolphins and breeding grounds for sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals.
The largest concentration of Rockhopper penguins in the world can be found in the Falkland Islands. Did you know that Rockhoppers use species specific mating calls called 'ecstatic vocalisation' to attract their mate from previous years?
Rockhopper - Falklands Conservation
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