Geography of the Falkland Islands - Definition

Located near Southern South America, The Falkland Islands are in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina.

Geography

Geographic coordinates

51°45' S, 59°00' W

Map references

South America

Area

• Total: 12,173 km²
• Land: 12,173 km²
• Water: 0 km²
• Note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands. Smaller islands include Barren Island, Beauchene Island, Beaver Island, Bleaker Island, Carcass Island, George Island, Keppel Island, Lively Island, New Island, Pebble Island, Saunders Island, Sealion Island, Speedwell Island, Staats Island, Tea Island, Weddell Island, West Point Island and the Jason Islands.

Area - comparative

Slightly smaller than Connecticut (USA) or Northern Ireland

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

1,288 km

Maritime claims

• Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles (370 km)
• Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nautical miles (370 km)
• Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km)
• 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 km²

Natural hazards

Strong winds persist throughout the year

Environment - current issues

NA

Geography - note

Deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season