When you mention the Falkland Islands, it makes most people think of the 1982 Conflict with Argentina or more recently Prince William’s visit there. However, there is so much more of interest about this remote archipelago 8000 miles from the UK.
Here are ten facts you may not know and can use to impress your friends next time the topic comes up!
1: The islands are named after Antony Cary, the fifth Viscount of Falkland (a title in the peerage of Scotland).
2: The term ‘camp’ is used to refer to anywhere outside of Stanley (the capital). It is derived from the Spanish word ‘campo’ which means countryside.
3: The Falklands is internationally important for its seabird populations which include five breeding penguins, 75% of the world’s black-browed albatross population, 70% of the world’s rockhopper penguins and the largest accessible king penguin colony in the world at Volunteer Point.
4: The local currency is the Falkland Island pound, it has the same value as the British pound which is also accepted as legal tender. There are currently no ATMs anywhere on the Falklands and only one bank in Stanley.
5: The local newspaper is called the Penguin News. It is published weekly and costs £1.50. For more information, visit the website - http://penguin-news.com/
6: The total land area is 4,700 sq miles, approximately the size of Connecticut, spread over 750 islands and islets. The population is estimated at 3,140 people.
7: Charles Darwin famously visited the Galapagos but he also visited the Falklands in 1833-1834. He collected data on the geology, fauna and flora of the islands which influenced his later work on evolution.
8: ‘Smoko’ is the Falkland term for a tea break, usually in the morning.
9: FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Service) is the main way of getting between islands and transporting goods. They operate Britten-Norman Islander aircraft to small airstrips throughout the islands.
10: The first settlement was founded by the French in 1764 by Louis Antoine de Bouganville.
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