Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located approximately 250 nautical miles (460 km; 290 mi) from the coast of mainland South America, The archipelago, consisting of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands, is a self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland.

The most popular reason for visiting the Falkland Islands is for the scenic beauty and the flora and fauna. Conservation is high on the Islands' agenda. Bird and marine species are the most prevalent fauna and include five species of penguin, four species of seal, albatross, petrels, the Falkland Flightless Steamer duck (Logger Duck), other duck species, geese, hawks and falcons. The Striated Caracara (Johnny Rook) is a rare bird of prey found only on the Falkland Islands and some islands off Cape Horn. Porpoises and dolphins are often sighted with the occasional sighting of whales.

Things to see and do

* Penguin Colonies
* Sea lions
* Sea birds
* Dolphins
* Whales

General Information

Cruise Season - Nov - April
Currency - Falkland Islands Pound (FKP)
Language - English
Land Area - 12,173 km²
Population - 3,150 approx
Electricity - 2 vertical square pins and one perpendicular below British style
Time - GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code - +500

Port Location - Large cruise ships stop at the port of Stanley throughout the summer.

Transport Links - Most international flights arrive at the Mount Pleasant (MPN) airport, 56km (35 miles) from Stanley. The only international carriers to use this airport are LanChile on a weekly flight from Santiago de Chile via Punta Arenas (CL), Rio Gallegos (AR) (monthly) and the UK Royal Air Force who carry commercial passengers direct from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. Flights from the UK last eighteen hours including a stop on Ascension Island en route. The RAF contracts two flights per week which are subject to military priorities. There is also an airport in Stanley (PSY) but it has a smaller runway and is used primarily for flights within the Falklands.