Introduction
More fireside crumpets than Latin fire. Though it's neighbored by South America and Antarctica, the Falklands are British through and through, with peat fires burning in every hearth and teatimes to set your clock by. With only a scattering of inhabitants (half of whom are British military personnel), it's hardly Touristville.
The real lure of these remote isles is the wildlife: breathtaking marine animals, and seabirds living large among the cliffs and along the windswept beaches. The intriguing human history here, strongly linked to the sea, is evidenced by several shipwrecks dotted around Stanley Harbour. 'The Falklands thing was a fight between two bald men over a comb.' - Jorge Luis Borges
Geography:
The Falklands lie about 500km (310.7mi) east of South America. They have a land area of 12,173 sq km, (4700sq mi) which is broken up into two main islands, East and West Falkland, and no less than 748 smaller ones. Only a handful of islands are populated. The Falklands land area is a smidgen smaller than Northern Ireland or the state of Connecticut, USA and covers about 240km (150mi) from Stanley in the northeast to New Island in the southwest. Except for Lafonia, the low-lying southern half of East Falkland, the terrain is generally hilly to mountainous, with the highest points Mt Usborne on East Falkland and Mt Adam on West Falkland both around the modest 700m (2300ft). Among the most interesting geological features are the unique 'stone runs'; rivers of stone tumbling across the landscape - relics of the last ice age. The higher elevations are mainly devoid of vegetation, being just scree, stones and eroded peat, and there are few trees anywhere on the islands. The climate discourages the growth of anything beyond grass, heath and small shrubs. It's estimated that 85% of Falklands land is covered in peat. The numerous bays, inlets, estuaries and beaches present an often spectacular and extremely long coastline, with many excellent anchorages. The islands are dotted with many pools and ponds, but real lakes and rivers are far fewer in number. Surprisingly, parts of the islands suffer from water shortages.
Destination Facts
Capital: Port Stanley
Governor: Alan Huckle (representing Queen Elizabeth II)
Chief Executive: Chris Simpkins
Government: overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
Time zone: GMT -4
Area: 12173
Population: 3500
People: British
Languages: predominantly Anglican, with Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran and Seventh-Day Adventist minorities
Currency: Falkland Pound (F £ )
GDP: Approx. F £ 75000000
Major industries: fishing, wool processing, offshore oil exploration
Major Trading Partners: UK, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Chile
Daylight Saving: From first Sunday in September to third Sunday in April
Country Dialing Code: 500
Getting There
Migratory birds and mammals return to the Falklands beaches and headlands between October and March. December and January are the best months for wildlife watching, as the extended daylight hours provide ample viewing time as well as opportunity for other outdoor activities. However, December and January are also the wettest months, though rain falls throughout the year. October through April is the peak tourist season, but that's not saying much. Annual sports meetings are the islands other 'wildlife' attraction, with events including horse racing, bull riding and sheepdog trials. Stanley's sports meetings take place December 26-27. 'In camp', that's anywhere outside Stanley to locals, these sports meetings are usually held at the end of the shearing season (late February). Sea trout season runs from September through April, with the best fishing starting in late February.
Getting there and away
Transportation to the Falkland Islands is strictly by air. There are six civilian flights a month from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, and weekly flights from the airports of Santiago and Punta Arenas in Chile. Mount Pleasant International Airport is about 60km (35mi) west of Stanley.
Getting around
Mount Pleasant International Airport and Stanley are connected by regular bus service, but transportation outside the two is sporadic and expensive. The only regular inter-island flights are courtesy of the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), which flies 10-seat puddlejumpers on demand to grass airstrips throughout the Falklands. The 14kg (30lb) baggage limit is strictly enforced. Boats for day trips can be chartered in settlements throughout the islands. Rental cars are available in Stanley, and some camp lodges provide 4WDs with driver-guides for their guests. Visitors may use their home driver's licenses for up to 12 months. Driving is on the left.
Visa:
All nationalities, including British citizens, must carry valid passports to visit the Falklands. Visitors from the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and most South American countries will not require a visa. Travelers from other nations should check with their nearest British embassy or consulate for visa requirements. Visitors normally get a one-month visitor's permit on arrival. Officially, visitors must have an onward or return ticket and sufficient funds or credit cards to finance their stay; they must also have at least their initial night's accommodation booked. In practice, arrivals who don't have pre-booked accommodation are held in the arrivals area while rooms are found. As Stanley can be completely booked out, it's a good idea to book ahead for your first night.
Weather
While most people associate islands with the tropics, there's something to be said for a peaceful nature walk during a cool Falkland summer. When the sun does shine it can be intense; bring good sun protection and a hat. Weather is usually changeable with low to moderate rainfall spread out evenly over the year. The winter can get quite somber with little sunshine and sub zero temperatures, but between November and April, active tourists will enjoy the brisk climate.
Places of Interest
Half a million penguins cannot be wrong. The Falklands will leave you gasping for descriptives and not just because of the bracing climate. This is a chance to see some of earth's most hardy and delightful residents at home in their windswept paradise. Human settlement has also told an intriguing and complicated story on these islands.
Though it's neighbored by South America and Antarctica, the Falklands are British through and through, with peat fires burning in every hearth and teatimes to set your clock by. With only a scattering of inhabitants (half of whom are British military personnel), it's hardly Touristville. The real lure of these remote isles is the wildlife: breathtaking marine animals, and seabirds living large among the cliffs and along the windswept beaches. The intriguing human history here, strongly linked to the sea, is evidenced by several shipwrecks dotted around Stanley Harbour.
More fireside crumpets than Latin fire. Though it's neighbored by South America and Antarctica, the Falklands are British through and through, with peat fires burning in every hearth and teatimes to set your clock by. With only a scattering of inhabitants (half of whom are British military personnel), it's hardly Touristville.
The real lure of these remote isles is the wildlife: breathtaking marine animals, and seabirds living large among the cliffs and along the windswept beaches. The intriguing human history here, strongly linked to the sea, is evidenced by several shipwrecks dotted around Stanley Harbour. 'The Falklands thing was a fight between two bald men over a comb.' - Jorge Luis Borges
Geography:
The Falklands lie about 500km (310.7mi) east of South America. They have a land area of 12,173 sq km, (4700sq mi) which is broken up into two main islands, East and West Falkland, and no less than 748 smaller ones. Only a handful of islands are populated. The Falklands land area is a smidgen smaller than Northern Ireland or the state of Connecticut, USA and covers about 240km (150mi) from Stanley in the northeast to New Island in the southwest. Except for Lafonia, the low-lying southern half of East Falkland, the terrain is generally hilly to mountainous, with the highest points Mt Usborne on East Falkland and Mt Adam on West Falkland both around the modest 700m (2300ft). Among the most interesting geological features are the unique 'stone runs'; rivers of stone tumbling across the landscape - relics of the last ice age. The higher elevations are mainly devoid of vegetation, being just scree, stones and eroded peat, and there are few trees anywhere on the islands. The climate discourages the growth of anything beyond grass, heath and small shrubs. It's estimated that 85% of Falklands land is covered in peat. The numerous bays, inlets, estuaries and beaches present an often spectacular and extremely long coastline, with many excellent anchorages. The islands are dotted with many pools and ponds, but real lakes and rivers are far fewer in number. Surprisingly, parts of the islands suffer from water shortages.
Destination Facts
Capital: Port Stanley
Governor: Alan Huckle (representing Queen Elizabeth II)
Chief Executive: Chris Simpkins
Government: overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
Time zone: GMT -4
Area: 12173
Population: 3500
People: British
Languages: predominantly Anglican, with Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran and Seventh-Day Adventist minorities
Currency: Falkland Pound (F £ )
GDP: Approx. F £ 75000000
Major industries: fishing, wool processing, offshore oil exploration
Major Trading Partners: UK, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Chile
Daylight Saving: From first Sunday in September to third Sunday in April
Country Dialing Code: 500
Getting There
Migratory birds and mammals return to the Falklands beaches and headlands between October and March. December and January are the best months for wildlife watching, as the extended daylight hours provide ample viewing time as well as opportunity for other outdoor activities. However, December and January are also the wettest months, though rain falls throughout the year. October through April is the peak tourist season, but that's not saying much. Annual sports meetings are the islands other 'wildlife' attraction, with events including horse racing, bull riding and sheepdog trials. Stanley's sports meetings take place December 26-27. 'In camp', that's anywhere outside Stanley to locals, these sports meetings are usually held at the end of the shearing season (late February). Sea trout season runs from September through April, with the best fishing starting in late February.
Getting there and away
Transportation to the Falkland Islands is strictly by air. There are six civilian flights a month from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, and weekly flights from the airports of Santiago and Punta Arenas in Chile. Mount Pleasant International Airport is about 60km (35mi) west of Stanley.
Getting around
Mount Pleasant International Airport and Stanley are connected by regular bus service, but transportation outside the two is sporadic and expensive. The only regular inter-island flights are courtesy of the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), which flies 10-seat puddlejumpers on demand to grass airstrips throughout the Falklands. The 14kg (30lb) baggage limit is strictly enforced. Boats for day trips can be chartered in settlements throughout the islands. Rental cars are available in Stanley, and some camp lodges provide 4WDs with driver-guides for their guests. Visitors may use their home driver's licenses for up to 12 months. Driving is on the left.
Visa:
All nationalities, including British citizens, must carry valid passports to visit the Falklands. Visitors from the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and most South American countries will not require a visa. Travelers from other nations should check with their nearest British embassy or consulate for visa requirements. Visitors normally get a one-month visitor's permit on arrival. Officially, visitors must have an onward or return ticket and sufficient funds or credit cards to finance their stay; they must also have at least their initial night's accommodation booked. In practice, arrivals who don't have pre-booked accommodation are held in the arrivals area while rooms are found. As Stanley can be completely booked out, it's a good idea to book ahead for your first night.
Weather
While most people associate islands with the tropics, there's something to be said for a peaceful nature walk during a cool Falkland summer. When the sun does shine it can be intense; bring good sun protection and a hat. Weather is usually changeable with low to moderate rainfall spread out evenly over the year. The winter can get quite somber with little sunshine and sub zero temperatures, but between November and April, active tourists will enjoy the brisk climate.
Places of Interest
Half a million penguins cannot be wrong. The Falklands will leave you gasping for descriptives and not just because of the bracing climate. This is a chance to see some of earth's most hardy and delightful residents at home in their windswept paradise. Human settlement has also told an intriguing and complicated story on these islands.
Though it's neighbored by South America and Antarctica, the Falklands are British through and through, with peat fires burning in every hearth and teatimes to set your clock by. With only a scattering of inhabitants (half of whom are British military personnel), it's hardly Touristville. The real lure of these remote isles is the wildlife: breathtaking marine animals, and seabirds living large among the cliffs and along the windswept beaches. The intriguing human history here, strongly linked to the sea, is evidenced by several shipwrecks dotted around Stanley Harbour.
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