Things you might not know about the Falkland Islands

Events are being held this year to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war.

Here are some facts about the islands and its residents.

• The Falkland Islands consist of more than 770 islands with a combined area half the size of Wales.
• The rural areas in the Falklands is known locally as “Camp”, which is derived from the Spanish word “Campo” for countryside.
• Many Falkland Islanders can trace their roots back by nine generations in the Islands.
• The Falklands are financially self-sufficient and only relies on the UK for its defence.
• The Falkland Islands are a self-governing UK Overseas Territory. It holds a General Election every four years to elect eight Members of Legislative Assembly from two constituencies.

• Europe imports a third of its calamari from the Falkland Islands.
• The population of the Islands is around 3,200 people but comprises more than 60 different nationalities, including Chileans, Saint Helenians, Zimbabweans and Filipinos, making it a very diverse community.
• The Falklands are home to five different species of penguin – the King, Gentoo, Macaroni, Magellanic and the South Rockhopper, totalling more than one million.
• Seventy per cent of the world’s Black-Browed Albatross are found in the Falkland Islands.
• The Falkland Islands is home to the world’s first Key Biodiversity Area for Sei Whales, which is an international designation that confirms that this region is truly exceptional for Sei Whales on a global scale.
• A total of 8% of the Falkland Islands Government’s budget is dedicated to research and environmental protection.
• The South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute is based in the Falklands and provides world-class environmental research.

There are 450,000 sheep on the Falkland Islands – outnumbering people by a factor of 140 to 1 (PA Images)

• The UK’s new polar research ship, the Royal Research Ship (RRS) Sir David Attenborough, is registered in the Falkland Islands, flies the Falkland Islands Red Ensign and has Stanley as its home port.
• Around 30% of Stanley’s and 90% of Camp’s energy needs are provided from renewable energy sources and the goal is for the Falklands to be 100% renewable by 2050.
• There are 450,000 sheep on the Falklands.
• To date there have been just over 80 confirmed cases of Covid-19 on the Falklands, all but one captured in quarantine when people have travelled to the Falklands, one community transmission case and no deaths.

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