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

Environment - international agreements
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography - note deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season

NOTE: The information regarding Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Geography 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Geography 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.