Brief information
In the UK, it is believed that the Falkland Islands were discovered at the end of the 16th century by the English navigator John Davis. However, Argentina, Spain and France claim that this honor belongs to their seafarers. Whatever it was, but now the Falkland Islands is still very mysterious and distant. Tourists are attracted by the strict minimalism of the Falkland nature, the beauty of the local fjords, rocky capes and sandy shores inhabited by penguins, fur seals and seals.
Geography of the Falkland Islands
According to simplyyellowpages.com, the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory, is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about 460 km off the coast of South America. The archipelago consists of several dozen small islands and two large ones – East Falkland and West Falkland, which are separated by the Falkland Strait. Total area – 12,173 sq. km.
East Falkland and West Falkland Islands have a heavily indented coastline with many fjords and natural harbors. The most populous island is East Falkland, which has the only local city and the administrative center of Stanley (about 2.5 thousand inhabitants).
A significant part of these two main Falkland Islands is occupied by polar tundra and mountain ranges. The highest local peak is located on the island of East Falkland – Mount Usborne, whose height reaches 705 meters. The height of Mount Adam on West Falkland Island is 5 meters lower.
There are no rivers on these islands, but there are many valley streams flowing into the ocean.
Official language
The only official language is English.
Climate and weather
The climate is temperate maritime, located somewhere in the middle between the maritime subarctic climate and the climate of the polar tundra. The average annual air temperature is +5.6C. The average annual rainfall is about 570 mm. Storm winds are very frequent, especially in winter.
The weather in the Falkland Islands is very changeable due to different wind directions – in one day you can see four seasons of the year.
The best time to visit the Falkland Islands is from November to February when temperatures are warm there.
Culture
The way of life in the Falkland Islands is reminiscent of the life of people in some small English or Scottish village. On these islands there are several small communities of people whose lives have been heavily influenced by Great Britain.
Almost the entire local population (and this is about 3 thousand people) are Christians – they belong to the Catholic, Anglican and Reformed churches.
The most important local holidays are Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday (April 21), Falklands Liberation Day (June 14), Falklands Day (December 8) and Christmas Day (December 25).
Kitchen
The Falkland Islanders eat at home, and many of the traditional recipes are of English origin. Fish dishes (sea trout, mullet), seafood (mussels, oysters, scallops, crabs), lamb, beef and vegetables are popular. Stanley has several English style restaurants and pubs.
Tourists are advised to try grilled sea trout with stewed vegetables, as well as Diddle Dee berry jam.
Traditional soft drinks are tea and coffee served with homemade cakes.
The traditional alcoholic drink is beer.
Attractions Falkland Islands
There are very few attractions in the Falkland Islands. In Stanley, of particular interest is the residence of the local governor, Government House, Christ Church Cathedral with a museum, the Weilbone Arch built in 1933 and the Falkland Islands Museum.
Tourists visiting the Falklands often visit Pembroke Point, where there are large bird colonies, as well as Gypsy Cove, with Magellanic penguin colonies.
On each of the local islands there are colonies of birds, penguins, fur seals, sea elephants. By the way, the largest colony of elephant seals can be seen on Sea Lion Island, located off the south coast of East Falkland.
In West Falkland, tourists often visit the old penguin colony observation station (it is well maintained) and spend the night there for several days. Penguins do not pay any attention to people at all.
Cities and resorts
In the Falkland Islands there is only one city (aka the administrative center) – Stanley. Its population is now about 2.5 thousand people. In total, about 3 thousand people live on this archipelago.
About 70-80% of tourists arrive in the Falkland Islands on cruise ships, expedition ships and tourist yachts. In recent years, this archipelago is visited annually by 50-60 thousand tourists. The increase in the flow of tourists is due to the fact that British companies began to extract oil in the Falklands.
When visiting the Falkland Islands, tourists pay great attention to trips to the places of hostilities that took place during the war between Great Britain and Argentina in 1982.
Fishing is very popular in the Falklands. The fishing season starts in September and ends in April. The main catch is tuna, sea trout and mullet. By the way, the best months for trout fishing are from March to April.
Currency of the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands pound (FKP) is the official currency in the Falkland Islands. One FKP = 100 pence.
Visa
Ukrainians to visit the Falkland Islands need to obtain a visa (it is issued by the British embassy or consulates).
Time
Behind Kyiv for 6 hours. Those. if, for example, in Kyiv 13:00, then in Stanley – 07:00.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Wooden items, stamps, woolen sweaters, penguin figurines, penguin T-shirts, jewelry made of semi-precious stones, heating pads, knives, etc. are brought as souvenirs from the Falkland Islands.
