Falkland Islands Geography - 2024

Location

Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km east of southern Argentina

Geographic coordinates

51 45 S, 59 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

total: 12,173 sq km

land: 12,173 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

1,288 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate

cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 60 cm in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate

Terrain

rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains

Elevation

highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss

Land use

agricultural land: 92.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 92.4% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 7.6% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land

N/A

Population distribution

a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley

Natural hazards

strong winds persist throughout the year

Geography - note

deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season