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The Falkland Islands
 The
Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory, situated in the South
Atlantic and lie some 400 miles from the South American mainland and 850 miles
north of the Antarctic Circle. The Islands are located between Latitude 51˚ and
53˚ S and Longitude 57˚ and 62˚ W; approximately the same latitude South as
London lies North.
The Falkland Islands comprise two main Islands (East and West Falkland) and 778
smaller islands, with a total land area of approximately 4,700 square miles,
covering an area just over half the size of Wales. The distance from Stanley, on
the extreme east, to New Island, on the extreme west, is some 148 miles.
Over 90% of the population are either British born or of British descent. The
2006 census recorded a population of 2,478, the majority who live in the
Islands’ only town, Stanley which is located on East Falkland. The rest of the
population is spread across camp (the local term for countryside) in small
settlements. English is the national language and 99 per cent of the population
speak English as their mother tongue. There are Anglican, Roman Catholic and
Nonconformist churches in the Islands.
 The
climate is characterised by a narrow temperature range (-5° C to 24°C), strong
winds, fairly low rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year, and higher
sunshine hours than most parts of Britain. The Islands are generally hilly - the
highest points are Mount Usborne (705m) on East Falkland and Mount Adam (700m)
on West Falkland.
The gross domestic product (GDP) for the Falkland Islands per head is £26,759
and the three major industries for the country are fisheries, tourism and
agriculture. The currency is the Falkland Island Pound, which is tied to the UK
pound.
The school year runs from September to June and there are currently 144 students
in the Falkland Islands Community School (secondary school), 260 students in the
Infant and Junior School (primary school) and 20 students in Camp Education (for
those students who are too young board in Stanley and receive their education on
farms).
 There
are no colleges or universities on the Islands, so students wishing to continue
their education past GCSE level are funded by the government to attend colleges
and universities overseas, mainly in the UK.
Elections to serve on the Legislative Assembly are held every four years and
there are five Stanley representatives and three from the camp. Each year,
Assembly Members elect three of their number to stand as members of the
Executive Council, with whom the Governor is obliged to consult in the exercise
of his functions.
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