Short facts about the geography of Falkland Islands

Location:

Southern South America, islands 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

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

Source: World Factbook