Home > Factbook > Countries > Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
| Location | Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km 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 | total: 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 60 cm in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate |
| Terrain | rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m |
| Natural resources | fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss |
| Land use | agricultural land: 92.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 92.4% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 7.6% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | NA |
| Natural hazards | strong winds persist throughout the year |
| Geography - note | deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season |
Source: CIA World Factbook
This page was last updated on September 18, 2021
