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Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean east of southern Argentina, slightly smaller than Connecticut. Rains half of the days of the year. Cold. Snow except for January and February.
The French settled the island in 1764. Two years later the colony was turned over to Spain. Britain claimed the island and established a naval garrison there in 1833. Spanish name for the islands: Islas Malvinas. Argentina invaded the islands in April 1982. The British sent a force that landed seven weeks later. The Argentines surrendered in June.
Overseas territory of the United Kingdom (Britain)
Figures unless otherwise stated are from the CIA Factbook.
Estimated per capita GDP:
2002 $25,000 (ranks 48th)
Factbook: "The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone... .Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost."
2008: 3,140, up from 2,967 in 2005. Growth rate estimated for 2008: 0.011 percent per year. Density in 2005: One person for every 4.1 square kilometers.
SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
Copyright © 2008 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.