Falkland Islands

Understand

The Falklands are a UK Overseas Territory. The archipelago is roughly the size of Wales or, in North American terms, Connecticut, but extremely sparsely populated; penguins outnumber humans by a hundred to one. The islands are also claimed by Argentina as the Islas Malvinas and were the site of a major conflict between the two countries in 1982.

History Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first recorded landing took nearly a century more by an Englishman in 1690. The French established a settlement later still in 1764 that was later given to Spain. The French called the islands les îles Malouines, after the port of Saint-Malo in Brittany, from where the Falklands' first settlers originated. It is from this that the Spanish name, Malvinas, is derived.

A British settlement followed shortly in 1766 and the islands became the subject of ongoing territorial disputes between Britain and Spain, which subsequently became a dispute between Britain and Argentina. Although the islands have a complex history of settlement and abandonment by various nations, it is generally accepted that since 1833 the islands have been under British control. During most of the 19th century who did or should govern the islands was a non-issue in Argentinian and international politics, and there are even some semi-official maps from that era that show the islands as British. However beginning in the 20th century, nationalist voices in Argentina demanded the islands to be "given back" to Argentina based on the tenuous Spanish claim, that Argentina claimed to have "inherited" and an even shakier claim of Argentinian administration and settlement of the islands prior to 1833, that was violently ejected according to those Argentinian claims.

Open conflict between Britain and Argentina began on 2 April 1982 when Argentina's military junta ordered the invasion of the islands. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later. After fierce figh

Getting there

The Falkland Islands controls its own immigration. Even British citizens need a passport to visit, are limited to a stay of up to 30 days and require a work permit if they want to work.

Visa requirements All visitors to the Falklands must show that they have a return ticket, accommodation, sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the islands and travel insurance with at least US$2,000,000 medical evacuation coverage. A major credit card will be accepted as proof of funds. A departure tax of £40 is charged when leaving the territory, which can be paid by Visa or MasterCard credit or debit cards or in cash. Cash payments can be made in pound sterling, U.S. dollars or Euros.

Citizens of most countries not listed below can visit the Falkland Islands for up to 1 month without a visa provided they do not work in the Falkland Islands. Citizens of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China (mainland), Colombia, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yemen, Zambia

Getting around

By plane

Travelling between islands in the Falklands is generally done using the Falkland Islands Government Aviation Service (FIGAS). The planes are Britten Norman Islander aircraft, capable of carrying eight passengers plus pilot. Passenger load may be reduced depending on the condition of the airstrips being visited. With the exception of Stanley and Mount Pleasant, all airstrips in the Falklands are either dirt strips or grassy fields. Be prepared for slight delays while livestock is cleared from airstrips prior to takeoff or landing! FIGAS flights leave twice daily from the airstrip just outside of Stanley and travel to a variety of locations throughout the islands. There is a baggage limit of 20 kg per person which is strictly enforced; you and your baggage will be weighed prior to boarding in Stanley. There is an additional charge of £1.40 per kg, space permitting. Unless the plane is flying to an island with a very poor landing strip there are almost never weight constraints that would prevent travelling with a few extra kilos of baggage. Reservations are required for travel and should be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Booking reservations can be done either by calling the airport (☏ +500 27219), emailing [email protected] or visiting the airport in person when it is open (hours vary depending on flight schedules but mid-morning is usually a good time). Flight schedules, including the names of passengers booked on each flight, are announced the night before departure on Falklands Radio, and are also available via a fax service. Most lodges will post the schedule as soon as it is announced. Flights can be paid for in cash or with credit card. Fares vary by destination but sample fares (one-way) from November 2009 were:

Stanley to Sea Lion Island: £59.46 Stanley to Port Howard: £58.75 Saunders Island to Pebble Island: £25.38 Pebble Island to Stanley: £64.43

By boat While it is possible to get around the Falklands by boat, as of March 2010

See

Museum - on Holdfast Road. Watch the nature, specially the species of penguins living there.

Do

Fishing. The fishing season runs from September to April, and it is a good chance for fishing enthusiasts to catch sea trouts and mullets.

Buy

Money

The official Falklands currency is the Falkland Islands pound (FKP) whose value is set equivalent to that of one British pound (GBP). Banknotes of the Falkland Islands are issued in denominations of £5, 10, 20 and 50. Coins of the Falkland Islands are issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 pence, 1 (12-sided, yellow ring with silver center) and 2 pounds. Two sets of coins of the Falklands Islands are in circulation, one depicting Her Late Majesty Elizabeth II and the other depicting Charles III. Money can be exchanged at the only bank in the islands which is located in Stanley across from the FIC West store. The bank doesn't have an ATM, but there is one in Stanley Services on the bypass (the only one on the islands as of 2021). British po