Geography of the Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands
Satellite image of the Falkland Islands
Geography
Coordinates51°41′S 59°10′W / 51.683°S 59.167°W / -51.683; -59.167
Adjacent toSouth Atlantic
Total islands778
Area12,200 km2 (4,700 sq mi)
Highest elevation705 m (2313 ft)
Highest pointMount Usborne
Administration
British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands (UK)
Capital and largest settlementStanley
Demographics
Population2,932
Pop. density0.24/km2 (0.62/sq mi)
Additional information
Time zone

The Falkland Islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean between 51°S and 53°S on a projection of the Patagonian Shelf, part of the South American continental shelf. In ancient geological time this shelf was part of Gondwana, and around 400 million years ago split from what is now Africa and drifted westwards from it. Today the islands are subjected to the Roaring Forties, winds that shape both their geography and climate.

The Falklands comprise two main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland, and about 776 small islands.[1]

  1. ^ "The Islands: Location". Falkland Islands Government web site. 2007. Archived from the original on 28 April 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2007.