Geography of the Falkland Islands
Located near Southern South America, The Falkland Islands are in the South Atlantic Ocean, 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. Smaller islands include Barren Island, Beauchene Island, Beaver Island, Bleaker Island, Carcass Island, George Island, Keppel Island, Lively Island, New Island, Pebble Island, Saunders Island, Sealion Island, Speedwell Island, Staats Island, Tea Island, Weddell Island and the Jason Island.
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,288 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200 nm
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate
Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Mount Usborne 705 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
99%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
1% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
- See also : Falkland Islands