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Introduction
Stanley: The capital has pubs, snack bars and restaurants, as well as a golf and race course. Houses on the seafront overlook Stanley Harbour where many different sea birds can be seen. Government House, Stanley Museum and the Cathedral are also worth visiting.
Coastal areas: These offer a chance (in good weather) to explore ships and wrecks abandoned over the years in the often fierce weather conditions that characterise the local waters. South Atlantic Marine Services Ltd in Stanley can also arrange wreck and kelp reef diving expeditions (see Sports & Activities section). Nineteenth-century sailing ships and iron vessels can be seen at Stanley and Darwin. Stanley used to be a safe anchorage for whalers and merchant vessels travelling around the Horn, though not all of them made it. The marine birdlife is varied, including five species of penguins. The views in winter are spectacular due to the ‘grey beards’, winter waves that can reach a height of 4.5m (15ft).
Inland areas: These offer opportunities to observe the varied wildlife. Activities such as horseriding and walking can also be enjoyed, often in complete solitude. Fishing is a popular and rewarding experience, with the Falkland waters being particularly good for sea trout and the Falkland mullet in the shallow estuaries.
Battle sites: Many visitors come to the Islands to see places made famous by the events of the Falkland Islands conflict. As well as the battlefields at Goose Green, San Carlos, Fitzroy, Pebble Island, Mount Tumbledown, Wireless Ridge, Sapper Hill and Stanley itself, there are also military cemeteries, memorials and museums.
Islands: Pebble Island is well known for its penguin colonies, sheep farms, South American horse tack and Southern sea lions. Port Howard is famous for its Falkland Island knitwear and sheep farming. San Carlos will be of interest to military historians and horse riders. One of the most ecologically balanced islands is Sea Lion Island which has a resident population of two and amazing wildlife, including elephant seals, sea lions and King penguins, as well as Killer whales off shore.
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