Geography of the Falkland Islands
Location:
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
51 45 S, 59 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,288 km
Maritime claims:
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:
Natural resources:
fish, wildlife
Land use:
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
strong winds persist throughout the year
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
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
continental shelf:
200 nm
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Mount Usborne[?] 705 m
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
99%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
1% (1993 est.)