Falkland Islands

Overview

The war with Argentina left the Falkland Islands still under British rule. There are items that will be familiar to those with a little knowledge of British culture. The southernly latitudes of the red post boxes means they are likely to draw a smile from those who come across them.

The capital, Stanley can be seen in a tour from the Governor's Taxi, a car previously used by the Governor of the Falklands as an official vehicle. The Falkland Islands Museum and Cartmell College are easy to visit and both offer an insight into the social and natural life of the islands. Other tours can be made to see the battlefields or by boat to explore some of the coast and go fishing.

However, it is really the wildlife that will amaze visitors. Six types of penguin off Pebble Island, sea lions at Weddell Island, elephant seals at Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands fur seal at Eddyson Rock or dolphins and Black- browed albatross from the shore. Go fishing in the Warrah river, gaze at the beach at Pebble Island or practice some ornithology at Salvador. In between all the nature spotting, stroll amongst the calming landscapes unhindered by many tourists.

History

Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982.