he "Virgin Queen", he gave them the name of "Hawkins' Maidenland." Many give the credit to Sebald de Weert, a Dutchman, who discovered the islands in 1600.[15] In January 1690, Captain John Strong of the Welfare was heading for Puerto Deseado (now in Argentina). Driven off course by contrary winds, he reached the Sebald Islands instead and landed at Bold Cove. He sailed between the two principal islands and called the passage "Falkland Channel" (now Falkland Sound), after Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland, who as Commissioner of the Admiralty had financed the expedition (Cary later became First Lord of the Admiralty). The island group later took its English name from this body of water. The first settlers (1764–1811) The first settlement on the Falkland Islands, named Port St. Louis, was founded by the French navigator and military commander Louis Antoine de Bougainville on Berkeley Sound, in present-day Port Louis, East Falkland in 1764. John Byron, by Joshua Reynolds, 1759. In January 1765, the British captain John Byron, unaware of the French presence, explored and claimed Saunders Island, at the western end of the group, where he named the harbour of Port Egmont. He sailed near other islands, which he also claimed for King George III. A British settlement was built at Port Egmont in 1766. Also in 1766, Spain acquired the French colony, and after assuming effective control in 1767, placed the islands under a governor subordinate to the Buenos Aires colonial administration. Spain attacked Port Egmont, ending the British presence there in 1770. The expulsion of the British settlement brought the two countries to the brink of war, but a peace treaty allowed the British to return to Port Egmont in 1771 with neither side relinquishing sovereignty.[18] In 1774, as a result of economic pressures leading up to the American Revolutionary War, the United Kingdom withdrew unilaterally from many of her overseas settlements, including Port Egmont.[19][20] Upon her withdrawal in 1776 the UK left behind a plaque asserting her claims. From 1776 until 1811 Spain maintained a settlement administered from Buenos Aires as part of the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata. On leaving in 1811, Spain also left behind a plaque asserting her claims. Argentine colonial aspirations On 6 November 1820, Colonel David Jewett raised the flag of the United Provinces of the River Plate (Argentina) at Port Louis. Jewett was an American sailor and privateer in the employment of Buenos Aires businessman Patrick Lynch to captain his ship, the frigate Heroína (Lynch had obtained a corsair licence from the Buenos Aires Supreme Director José Rondeau). Jewett had put into the islands the previous month, following a disastrous eight month voyage with most of his crew disabled by scurvy and disease. After resting in the islands and repairing his ship he was relieved of command and returned to South America.[citation needed] In 1828 Luis Vernet founded a settlement seeking authorisation from both the British and Argentine authorities. Modern Argentina claims the United States warships destroyed this settlement in 1831 after Vernet seized US seal hunting ships during a dispute over fishing rights (the Captain of the Lexington reports destroying a powder store and spiking the settlement guns). In November 1832, Argentina sent another governor to found a penal settlement who was killed in a mutiny after 4 days.[citation needed] British settlement In January 1833, British forces returned and informed the Argentine commander that they intended to reassert British sovereignty. The existing settlers were allowed to remain, with an Irish member of Vernet's settlement, William Dickson, appointed as the Islands' governor. Vernet's deputy, Matthew Brisbane, returned later that year and was informed that the British had no objections to the continuation of Vernet's business ventures provided there was no interference with British control.[21][22][23][24] Road sign to the capital. The Royal Navy built a base at Stanley, and the islands became a strategic point for navigation around Cape Horn. A World War I naval battle, the Battle of Falkland Islands, took place in December 1914, with a British victory over the smaller Imperial German Asiatic Fleet. During World War II, Stanley served as a Royal Navy station and serviced ships which took part in the 1939 Battle of the River Plate. Sovereignty over the islands again became an issue in the second half of the 20th century. Argentina saw the creation of the United Nations as an opportunity to present its claim to the islands to the rest of the world. When signing the UN Charter in 1945, Argentina stated that it reserved its right to sovereignty of the islands, and its right to recover them. The United Kingdom's response was to state that the Falklanders first had to vote for the British withdrawal in a referendum and that this was an essential precondition for the fulfilment of UN Resolution 1514 (XV) on de-colonising all territories still under foreign occupation, Talks between British and Argentine foreign missions took place in the 1960s, but failed to come to any meaningful conclusion. A major sticking point in all the negotiations was that the two thousand inhabitants of mainly British descent preferred that the islands remain British territory. One result of the these talks, however, was the creation of the islands' first air link. In 1971, the Argentine Air Force (FAA), which operates the state airline LADE, began amphibious flights between Comodoro Rivadavia and Stanley using Grumman HU-16 Albatross aircraft.[25] The following year, Britain agreed to allow Argentina to build a temporary air strip, which was completed that November. Flights between Stanley and Comodoro Rivadavia continued twice a week using Fokker F27 and later Fokker F28 aircraft following the construction of the permanent air strip until 1982.[26][27][28] During the same period, YPF, the Argentine national oil and gas company, now part of Repsol YPF, supplied the islands' energy needs. Falklands War Main article: Falklands War British paratroopers guard Argentine prisoners of war On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and other British territories in the South Atlantic (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands). The military junta which had ruled Argentina since 1976 sought to maintain power by diverting public attention from the nation's poor economic performance and exploiting the long-standing feelings of the Argentines towards the islands.[29] Several British writers hold that the United Kingdom's reduction in military capacity in the South Atlantic also encouraged the invasion.[30][31][32] The United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 502, calling on Argentina to withdraw forces from the Islands and for both parties to seek a diplomatic solution.[33] International reaction ranged from support for Argentina in Latin American countries (except Chile and Colombia), to opposition in the Commonwealth and Europe (apart from Spain), and eventually the United States. The British sent an expeditionary force to retake the islands, leading to the Falklands War. After short but fierce naval and air battles, the British landed at San Carlos Water on 21 May, and a land campaign followed until the Argentine forces surrendered on 14 June 1982. The War led to the deaths of 655 Argentine, 255 British servicemen and 3 Falkland Islanders. After the war, the British increased their military presence on the islands, constructing RAF Mount Pleasant and increasing the military garrison. Although the United Kingdom and Argentina resumed diplomatic relations in 1992, no further negotiations on sovereignty have taken place. Politics Main article: Politics of the Falkland Islands A Falkland stamp commemorating the coronation of King George VI of the United Kingdom and his consort Queen Elizabeth. Executive authority is vested in the Queen and is exercised by the Governor on her behalf. The Governor is also responsible for the administration of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as these islands have no native inhabitants. Defence and Foreign Affairs are the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The current Governor is Alan Huckle, appointed July 2006. Under the constitution, which came into force on 1 January 2009[34] (which replaced the 1985 constitution), there is an Executive Council and a Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands. The Executive Council, which advises the Governor, is also chaired by the Governor. It consists of the Chief Executive, Financial Secretary and three Legislative Councillors, who are elected by the other Legislative Councillors. The Legislative Council consists of the Chief Executive, Financial Secretary and the eight Legislative Councillors, of whom five are elected from Stanley and three from Camp, for four-year terms. It is presided over by the Speaker, currently Keith Biles. The United Nations Committee on Decolonization includes Falkland Islands on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. Relations with Argentina Main article: Sovereignty of the Falkland Islands The dispute over control of the islands has continued since the war. Diplomatic relations between Argentina and the UK were resumed in 1992, and embassies were reopened in London and Buenos Aires. In 1994, Argentina added its claim to the islands to the Argentine constitution, stating that this claim must be pursued in a manner "respectful of the way of life of their inhabitants and according to the principles of international law"[35] (see: 1994 reform of the Argentine Constitution). In 1998, in retaliation for the arrest in London of the former Chilean president Augusto Pinochet, the Chilean government banned flights between Punta Arenas and Port Stanley, thus isolating the islands from the rest of the world. Uruguay and Brazil refused to authorise direct flights between their territories and Port Stanley. This forced the Islands' government to enter negotiations with the Argentine government and led to Argentina authorising direct flights between its territory and Stanley, on condition that Argentine citizens be allowed on the islands.[36] One flight a month, operated by LAN Airlines, travels between RAF Mount Pleasant on East Falkland and Río Gallegos in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Since the war, successive Argentine governments have stated their intention to pursue their claim to the islands by peaceful means. On the 22nd anniversary of the war, Argentina's President Néstor Kirchner gave a speech insisting that the islands would become part of Argentina. Kirchner, campaigning for president in 2003, regarded the islands as a top priority. In June 2003 the issue was brought before a United Nations committee, and attempts have been made to open talks with the United Kingdom to resolve the issue of the islands. Cristina Fernandez with Gordon Brown In 2007 (exactly 25 years after the Argentine invasion), Argentina renewed its claim over the Falkland Islands, asking for the UK to resume talks on sovereignty.[37] In March 2009, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated in a meeting with Argentine President Cristina Fernández that there would be no talks over the future sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.[38] As far as the governments of the UK and of the Falkland Islands are concerned, there is no issue to resolve. The Falkland Islanders themselves are almost entirely British and maintain their allegiance to the United Kingdom.[39][40] On 22 September 2007, The Guardian reported the UK government was preparing to stake new claims on the sea floor around the Falklands and other UK remote island possessions, in order to exploit natural resources that may be present.[41] In October 2007, a British spokeswoman confirmed that Britain intended to submit a claim[42] to the UN to extend seabed territory around the Falklands and South Georgia, in advance of the expiry of the deadline[43] for territorial claims following Britain's ratification of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention.[44] If the claim is disputed, the UN will suspend the claim until the dispute is settled.[42] The claim is largely theoretical and does not affect the Antarctic Treaty or confer new rights upon Britain. Neither does it permit the exploitation of oil or gas reserves, since these are banned by a protocol to the treaty. It would enable Britain to police fishing within the zone to prevent over-exploitation of natural resources by commercial fishing in line with Britain's obligations under the treaty.[45] Professor Klaus Dodds of the University of London, commenting in The Guardian, has suggested that the move goes against the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.[43] Argentina has indicated it will challenge any British claim to Antarctic territory and the area around the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.[46] Argentina made a similar claim in 2009,[47] and the United Kingdom quickly protested against these claims.[48] In February 2010, the Argentine government announced that ships traversing Argentine territorial waters en route to the Falklands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands would require a permit, as part of a dispute over British oil exploration near the Falklands. The British and Falkland governments stated that Falklands-controlled waters were unaffected.[49] Geography and ecology See also: Geology of the Falkland Islands and Rivers of the Falkland Islands Map of the Falkland Islands San Carlos Water, one of many inlets on East Falkland. The islands are heavily indented by sounds and fjords The Falkland Islands comprise two main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland (in Spanish Isla Gran Malvina and Isla Soledad respectively), and about 776 small islands.[6] The islands are located 185 nautical miles (343 km; 213 mi)[50] from the Isla de los Estados in Argentina (and 250 nautical miles (463 km; 288 mi)[51] from the Argentine mainland); 264 nautical miles (489 km; 304 mi)[52] from Chile; 582 nautical miles (1,078 km; 670 mi)[53] west of the Shag Rocks (South Georgia) and 501 nautical miles (928 km; 577 mi)[54] north of the British Antarctic Territory (which overlaps with the Argentine and Chilean claims to Antarctica in that region). The total land area is 4,700 square miles (12,173 km2), slightly smaller than Connecticut or Northern Ireland, with a coastline estimated at 800 miles (1288 km).[55] The two main islands on either side of Falkland Sound make up most of the land. These are East Falkland, which contains the capital, Stanley, and most of the population; and West Falkland. Both islands have mountain ranges, the highest point being Mount Usborne, 705 metres (2,313 ft)[55] on East Falkland. There are also some boggy plains, most notably in Lafonia, on the southern half of East Falkland. Virtually the entire area of the islands is used as pasture for sheep. Smaller islands surround the main two. They include Barren 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, Weddell Island, and West Point Island. The Jason Islands lie to the north west of the main archipelago, and Beauchene Island some distance to its south. Speedwell Island and George Island are split from East Falkland by Eagle Passage. Numerous flora and fauna are found on the Falkland Islands. Notable fauna include colonies of the Magellanic Penguin.[56] For more details see Fauna of the Falkland Islands. The islands claim a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi) and an exclusive fishing zone of 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi), which has been a source of disagreement with Argentina. Biogeographically, the Falkland Islands are classified as part of the Neotropical realm, together with South America. It is also classified as part of the Antarctic Floristic Kingdom. Climate Surrounded by cool South Atlantic waters, the Falkland Islands have a Maritime Subarctic climate (Koppen Cfc) that is very much influenced by the ocean in that it has a narrow annual temperature range. The January average maximum temperature is about 13°C (55°F), and the July maximum average temperature is about 4°C (39°F). The average annual rainfall is 573.6 millimetres (22.58 in) but East Falkland is generally wetter than West Falkland.[57] Humidity and winds, however, are constantly high. Snow is rare but can occur at almost any time of year. Gales are very frequent, particularly in winter.[58] The climate is similar to that of the Shetland islands in the United Kingdom, but with less rainfall and longer and slightly more severe winters.[58] Climate data for Stanley, Falkland Islands Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 24 (75) 23 (73) 21 (70) 17 (63) 14 (57) 11 (52) 10 (50) 11 (52) 15 (59) 18 (64) 22 (72) 22 (72) 24 Average high °C (°F) 13 (55) 13 (55) 12 (54) 9 (48) 7 (45) 5 (41) 4 (39) 5 (41) 7 (45) 9 (48) 11 (52) 12 (54) 8.9 (48.1) Average low °C (°F) 6 (43) 5 (41) 4 (39) 3 (37) 1 (34) -1 (30) -1 (30) -1 (30) 1 (34) 2 (36) 3 (37) 4 (39) 2.2 (35.9) Record low °C (°F) -1 (30) -1 (30) -3 (27) -6 (21) -7 (19) -11 (12) -9 (16) -11 (12) -11 (12) -6 (21) -3 (27) -2 (28) -11 Precipitation mm (inches) 71 (2.8) 58 (2.28) 64 (2.52) 66 (2.6) 66 (2.6) 53 (2.09) 51 (2.01) 51 (2.01) 38 (1.5) 41 (1.61) 51 (2.01) 71 (2.8) 681 (26.81) % Humidity 78 79 82 86 88 89 89 87 84 80 75 77 82.8 Source: BBC Weather[59] Economy Main article: Economy of the Falkland Islands The largest company in the islands used to be the Falkland Islands Company (FIC), a publicly quoted company on the London Stock Exchange. The company was responsible for the majority of the economic activity on the islands, though its farms were sold in 1991 to the Falkland Islands Government. The company now operates several retail outlets in Stanley and is involved in port services and shipping operations. Except for defence, the islands are self sufficient; exports account for more than $125 million a year (2004 estimate).[3] Currency Reverse of a one-pound coin from the Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands Government issues the Falkland pound, the local currency that is fixed at parity with the pound sterling. Falkland notes and coins are produced in the United Kingdom[60] and are equivalent to the United Kingdom sterling coinage but with local designs on the reverse. Both the Falkland Pound and the pound sterling circulate interchangeably on the islands. For more information about currency in the region see The Sterling Currency in the South Atlantic and the Antarctic. The Falkland Islands also issue their own stamps, which are a source of revenue from overseas collectors. Farming Farmland accounts for 4,339.73 sq mi (1,123,985 hectares), more than 90% of the Falklands land area.[61] Since 1984, efforts to diversify the economy have made fishing the largest part of the economy and brought increasing income from tourism.[62] Sheep farming was formerly the main source of income for the islands and still plays an important part with high quality wool exports going to the UK. According to the Falklands Government Statistics there are over 500,000 sheep on the islands with roughly 60% on East Falkland and 40% on West Falkland.[61] Fishing Map of the Falkland Islands economic zone in relation to her neighbours The government has operated a fishing zone policy since 1986 with the sale of fishing licences to foreign countries has recently brought in only £12 to 15 million a year in revenues. Local fishing boats are also in operation. More than 75% of the annual catch of 200,000 tonnes (220,000 short tons).[63] Tourism Tourism has grown rapidly. The islands have become a regular port of ca