Falkland Islands Overview Country Overview The Falkland Islands are located 560km (350 miles) off the east coast of South America and consist of two main islands and hundreds of small outlying islands, amounting to about two and a half million acres (one million hectares). Stanley, the capital, has pubs, snack bars and restaurants. The houses on the seafront overlook Stanley Harbour where many different sea birds (including five species of penguin) can be seen. In good weather, 19th-century sailing ships and wrecks abandoned over the years can be explored in and around Stanley and Darwin. The inland areas provide opportunities to observe the varied wildlife in the midst of the Islands’ natural beauty as well as good fishing. In addition, many visitors come to the Islands to see places made famous by the events of the Falkland Islands conflict such as the battlefields at Goose Green and Pebble Island. Food, generally British in character, includes large ‘camp breakfasts’ and smoko (tea and coffee with homemade cakes) with lunch and dinner. There is a variety of clubs (including a golf club) and societies that welcome visitors. General Information Area: 12,173 sq km (4700 sq miles). Population: 2826 (official estimate 2000). Population Density: 0.23 per sq km. Capital: Stanley. Population: 1636 (1996). GEOGRAPHY: The Falkland Islands are located 560km (350 miles) off the east coast of South America and consist of two main islands and hundreds of small outlying islands, amounting to approximately three million acres (1.2 million hectares). Generally the main islands are mountainous, with low-lying and undulating terrain in the south of East Falkland. The highest mountain is Mount Usborne at 712m (2312ft). Government: British Dependent Territory since 1833. Not recognised by Argentina, which considers the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) to be part of Argentina. Existing Constitution adopted in 1985. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Howard Pearce since 2002. The Governor presides over the Executive Council, the country’s ruling body. The Executive Council consists of two official members and three elected members. Elections are held every four years. Language: English. Religion: Christian. Time: GMT - 3 (GMT - 4 from third Sunday in April to first Saturday in September). Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD available. Country code: 500. Outgoing international code: 00. External communication links and Internet services are provided by Cable & Wireless plc. Telephone links to the Islands, which are by satellite, provide clear and rapid links to the outside world. The Cable & Wireless office is open daily 0800-2000 for acceptance of traffic and sale of phone cards for use in the international telephone service booths situated in the office. Mobile telephone There is currently no network coverage on the Falkland Islands. Fax A system spans the Islands providing international direct-dialling facilities, together with high-speed data services. Radio: Remote areas still keep in contact by radio. Internet There is an Internet cafe in Stanley. The main ISPs are U-Net and Cable & Wireless plc. Post Airmail to Europe takes four to seven days. Press There are no daily papers on the Falkland Islands, but Penguin News (weekly) and Teaberry Express (weekly) are published in Stanley and all British national newspapers are also available. The Falkland Islands Gazette is a government publication. The Falkland Islands News Network relays news daily via fax. Media Satellite television channels are widely available. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.79 15.19 12.10 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No Yes Australian Yes No Yes Canadian Yes No Yes USA Yes No Yes OtherEU Yes No Yes Japanese Yes No Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for a minimum of six months required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to four months: (a) nationals mentioned in the chart above; (b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Finland, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, South Africa, Switzerland, Uruguay and Vatican City. Note: All nationals (including non-visa nationals) must obtain a visitors permit, normally valid for four weeks. An extension may be granted by applying to the Immigration Office on arrival and providing proof of sufficient funds and accommodation during stay. A visitors permit is issued after completing a visitors form and requires proof of return tickets, sufficient funds and accommodation. Visitors permits can be obtained from the Falkland Islands Government Office in London (see Contact Addresses section), the nearest British Consulate (or Consular section at the Embassy) or, on arrival, at the Falkland Islands Immigration Office, Ross Road, Stanley, Falkland Islands (tel: 27340; fax: 27342; e-mail: customs.fig@horizon.co.fk). Types of visa and cost: One type of visa is issued for all types of travel. The cost is £20. Note: All persons leaving the Falkland Islands by air are charged an Embarkation Tax of £20. Validity: Usually six months from the date of issue for stays of up to four months. Application to: Falkland Islands Government Office (see Contact Addresses section), the nearest British Consulate (or Consular section at the Embassy) or the Falkland Islands Immigration Office. Application requirements: (a) Application form. (b) Passport valid for a minimum of six months. (c) Two passport-size photographs. (d) Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of stay, accommodation booking and onward/return tickets. (e) Fee. Working days required: Within 24 hours if applying in person. Two to four weeks for applicants applying by post. It is advisable, however, to apply in plenty of time. Money Currency: Falkland Islands Pound (Fl£) and the British Pound Sterling (£) = 100 pence. Notes are in denominations of £50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of £1 and 2, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence. Currency exchange: Exchange facilities are available in Stanley and the Standard Chartered Bank. British Pound Sterling cheques up to £50 from Barclays, Lloyds, Midland and National Westminster banks can be cashed on production of a valid cheque card. Falklands currency cannot be exchanged anywhere outside the Islands. Credit & debit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in the Upland Goose Hotel, the Malvina House Hotel, various shops and The Falkland Island Travel Service Ltd. Travellers cheques: May be changed at the Standard Chartered Bank and at some commercial outlets. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling. Currency restrictions: No restrictions on the import and export of local and foreign currency. Exchange rates For a guide to the movement of the US Dollar against the Falkland Islands Pound, see the United Kingdom section. Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200, 1300-1630. Duty Free The following items may be imported into the Falkland Islands without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1l of alcoholic beverage over 38.8 per cent proof or 2l up to 38.8 per cent proof and 2l of sparkling or still table wine; 10l of beer or cider. Restricted items: Import licences are required from Department of Agriculture for plants, meat, poultry and dairy produce. An import licence is required from the Falkland Islands' Policy Authority for firearms and ammunition. Prohibited items: Drugs, pornography and counterfeit goods. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Queen’s Birthday. Jun 16 Liberation Day. Oct 6 Spring Holiday. Dec 8 Battle Day. Dec 25-29 Christmas. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 21 Queen’s Birthday. Jun 14 Liberation Day. Aug 23 Bank Holiday. Oct 4 Spring Holiday. Dec 8 Battle Day. Dec 25-29 Christmas. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever 1 No Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio No N/A Malaria No N/A 1: Although not an official requirement, the Ministry of Defence recommends inoculation against yellow fever in case flights are diverted to a risk area. Other risks: Hepatitis A occurs; viral hepatitis occurs but is rare. Health care: Hospital, dental and other medical treatments are free, as are prescribed medicines and ambulance travel to visitors whose country has a reciprocal NHS agreement. Otherwise, medical insurance is recommended. Proof of residence in the UK (eg medical card or UK driving licence) or an E111 form for other nationals are required to benefit from free treatments. Travel - International AIR: Travel to and from the Islands is courtesy of the UK Ministry of Defence. There are six flights in any four-week period by Tristar from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, in the UK. Tour operators and travel agents will make the necessary arrangements if the holiday is booked through them; independent travellers need to contact a travel coordinator at the Falkland Islands Government Office (see Contact Addresses section). Return flights from the UK are via Ascension Island. The other option is to fly British Airways from London Gatwick to Santiago and connect with a LanChile flight (Saturdays only) to Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt in southern Chile and thence to Stanley. Bookings for this flight can be made through British Airways, LanChile or agents. The Falkland Islands Tourist Board can provide up-to-date information on changes to the normal schedule. Approximate flight times: From Brize Norton to Mount Pleasant is 18 hours (including a refuelling stop at Ascension Island); from Mount Pleasant to Punta Arenas (Chile) is 5 hours. International airports: Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) is approximately 56km (35 miles) from Stanley. There are limited duty-free facilities at the airport. Buses connect the airport and Stanley. Departure tax: £10. SEA: Cruise companies operating to the Falklands include Carriage Travel and Zegrahm Expeditions. Travel - Internal AIR: Most of the settlements and offshore islands in the Falklands can be reached by light aircraft. This service is run by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) (tel: 27219; fax: 27309; e-mail: figas.fig@horizon.co.fk). FIGAS operates Islander aircraft from the airport. There are no fixed schedules but daily flights operate to all parts of the Islands, subject to demand. SEA: Boats may be chartered for day trips from Stanley and elsewhere in the Islands. Some settlements may be able to offer the use of landing vessels or other craft to reach the outlying Islands. Byron Marine are prepared to carry passengers but are primarily an inter-island shipping company (tel: 22245; e-mail: byron@horizon.co.fk). ROAD: Outside the capital, overland travel is difficult and vehicles can frequently get bogged down. However, there is one road linking Stanley, the Mount Pleasant airport complex and Goose Green, and an all-weather track linking Stanley, Port Louis and Port San Carlos. A similar track on West Falkland links Port Howard, Chartres, Fox Bay, Hill Cove and Roy Cove. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are the best form of transport in this terrain. Bus: There are routes to and from the airport, also in and around Stanley. Taxi: Taxi services are available. Car hire: Four-wheel-drive vehicles and other vehicles can be hired. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times from Stanley to other islands in the surrounding area.   Air Road Mount Pleasant 0.15 0.50 Pebble Island 0.40 - Port Howard 0.40 - Sea Lion Island 0.30 - Accommodation Accommodation is limited and must be booked in advance. There are hotels, lodges and boarding houses in the Falkland Islands as well as full-board accommodation on a farm. There are two hotels and three guest-houses in Stanley and lodges at Pebble Island, Port Howard, San Carlos and Sea Lion Island. Self-catering accommodation is also available throughout the Islands. All ground arrangements can be made through Stanley Services Limited, Stanley (tel: 22622; fax: 22623; e-mail: office@stanley-services.co.fk). Grading: Although there is no formal grading system, the hotels and lodges fall roughly within the British grading system, as used by the English Tourist Board. A grading system is being devised for 2003. Contact the Falkland Islands Tourist Board for full details (see Contact Addresses section). 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. Sport & Activities Walking tours: Stanley’s history is closely associated with the days when great sailing ships and early steam vessels called into port on their journeys around Cape Horn. A self-guided Maritime History Trail has been set up in the capital. A half-day trail leads from Stanley to Cape Pembroke, offering an interesting introduction to the Falkland Islands’ birdlife. For further information and a copy of the Trail Guide, contact the Falkland Islands Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). Battlefield tours: Trips to several of the Battlefield sites associated with the 1982 conflict (including Wireless Ridge, Mount Tumbledown and Sapper Hill) can be arranged. Wildlife: Migratory species, such as penguins, arrive to breed in September and depart late March/early April. The young are born and reared in the islands throughout the southern summer. Boat trips: Tours around Stanley Harbour in an inflatable craft, as well as various types of fishing tours are available. A number of lodges have motor boats for taking guests to view wildlife and places of interest. Tours around Kidney Island and Sparrow Cove can also be arranged. South Atlantic Marine Services Ltd can provide further information (tel: 21145; fax: 22674; e-mail: sams@horizon.co.fk). Fishing: The sea trout season runs from September to the end of April, but September to October and mid-March to mid-April are acknowledged as best for encountering good runs of sea trout. Falklands Mullet is available throughout the period. A licence costing £10 per annum is required. It is obtainable from the Stanley Post Office and a log book is issued with it which needs to be returned to the Fisheries Department before departure. Visitors are advised that a catch and return policy applies, that barbless hooks are used and that 12 is the maximum number of fish allowed to be taken. The best locations in West Falkland are Warrah and Chartres, while in East Falkland, San Carlos and Murrel are notable. Golf: There are facilities at Darwin Lodge on Darwin, and at the following courses: Stanley, Goose Green, Fox Bay, Port Howard and Hill Cove. Social Profile Food & Drink: Almost everything is home cooked and many traditional recipes have been handed down through several generations. Food, generally British in character, includes large ‘camp breakfasts’ and smoko (tea and coffee with homemade cakes) with lunch and dinner. Local specialities include lamb, mutton, beef, sea trout, mullet and home-grown vegetables. Nightlife: There is a variety of clubs and societies which welcome visitors. There are several pubs in Stanley, as well as restaurants and cafes. Shopping: Costs tend to be slightly higher as much has to be imported, though smaller luxury goods may be cheaper. There is a good range of shops in Stanley selling the same type of goods found in a small town in Britain and a variety of souvenirs. Sweaters made from pure Falkland Wool and local art work, coins, stamps and books are also sold. Fresh vegetables are available all year round but many Islanders are virtually self-sufficient. Print film is available but it is advisable to bring a supply. Shopping hours: Shopping hours vary, but shops are generally open Mon-Sun 0800-1200, 1300-1700; some shops are open until 2000. Social Conventions: The lifestyle in the Falkland Islands resembles that of a small English or Scottish village/town and communities on the Falkland Islands are highly self contained. The influx of the British Forces has obviously had an effect on the Islands. More people now visit the Islands for a variety of reasons (see the Sport & Activities section). The islanders themselves have benefited from the additional amenities offered by the Forces. The Government runs a radio station for the islanders (FIBS), in conjunction with the British Forces Broadcasting Service; this broadcasts all day on FM and medium wave. The Forces also run a television network around the islands, another example of the close links that have built up between the Islands and the British Forces Government. The population is very keen to remain under British sovereignty. Tipping: If no service charge has been added to the bill, ten per cent is appropriate. Taxi drivers expect a tip. Business Profile Economy: The economy is dominated by fishing and sheep-farming. The poor quality of the land precludes crop-growing on any scale larger than allotment. Productivity in sheep-farming has increased sharply since the mid-1980s with improved working practices. However, it is the fishing sector that now accounts for the islands’ much improved economic performance. The industry has grown substantially since 1982, assisted by the introduction of a licensing system in Falklands territorial waters. The presence of large quantities of squid, a very popular dish in several parts of the world, has fuelled an economic boom and the emergence of a ‘squidocracy’ – a group of individuals living on the islands who have become extremely wealthy as a result. There are some concerns about stock depletion, and controls have now been introduced. Other plans for Falklands economic development have proved less successful. Restrictions on Antarctic development have undermined the islands’ hope of deriving benefit from being an en route staging post. The search for suspected oil and gas reserves began in earnest in 1995 after the signing of an agreement between the British and Argentinians; test drilling started in 1998 but no viable deposits have yet been located. As long as the squid last, the Falklands economic outlook remains bright. Despite the improvement in relations with Argentina, trade between the islands and the mainland is small and most trade is still conducted with Britain. Business: Punctuality for meetings is expected. Office hours: 0800-1200, 1300-1630 (Government); 0800-1200, 1300-1700 (Private). Commercial Information: For advice, contact the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) (see Contact Addresses section). Conferences/Conventions: For details, contact the Falkland Islands Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). Climate The climate is temperate and largely conditioned by the surrounding sea being cooled by the Antarctic Current. Required clothing: A windproof jacket is essential, as is a stout pair of walking boots when crossing the rugged terrain. Because the air is so clear and unpolluted, suntan lotion is advisable. History and Government History: Until the war of 1982, the rainy, windswept Falkland Islands were a lowly, almost forgotten remnant of the old British Empire. First occupied by the French in 1764, the islands were quickly ceded to Spain, which then ruled the adjacent territory in Latin America. However, the Spanish only established themselves on West Falkland and, in 1765, the British took control of the eastern island. By 1816, due to the islands’ inclement climate and strategic uselessness, both powers had removed their respective garrisons and the Falkland Islands had no permanent inhabitants. A vessel from newly independent Argentina was sent in 1820, to establish a permanent settlement but was driven out by a British expedition in 1832. The British declared full sovereignty over the Falkland Islands the following year. Argentina refused to recognise the British occupation and has maintained a consistent claim to sovereignty ever since. This claim was pursued periodically through diplomatic channels until 1982, when an Argentine force overran the British garrison and established a military base on ‘Islas Malvinas’, a name derived from the original French settlers, who named the islands after their home port of St Malo. After various attempts at negotiation and mediation had failed, a British task force, which had been despatched at the start of the crisis, was ordered to continue its journey and engage the Argentines. Argentina formally surrendered on 14 June, ten weeks after the invasion. In the subsequent contact between the two governments, it has become apparent that the issue of sovereignty is a stumbling block and that the Falkland Islands issue will remain a key aspect of Argentine foreign policy in the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, discreet negotiations were opened between the two sides under UN auspices, during 1988. The UK adamantly refused to discuss sovereignty and has not moved from this position ever since – the wishes of the islanders, who are determined to stay British, remain paramount. The islanders also have been granted full British citizenship, which is generally not available to the inhabitants of other residual British-controlled territories. But much practical progress has been made on economic issues such as airline landing rights, fisheries control and other trade matters. Despite the political inertia, the Falkland Islands has made substantial economic progress in the two decades since the war (see Economy section). Government: The Falkland Islands are a British Crown Colony. The British monarch is locally represented by an appointed Governor, who is responsible for administration, aided by an Executive Council of six members. The Legislative Council has two ex-officio members and eight members elected by universal suffrage. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.