Currency: Falkland Pound (£F) Languages: English Time: GMT -4 (currently 19:53) Electricity: 240v 3 Square Pin Dialing Code: +500 Top Level Domain .fk Drive on the: Left Last reviewed: 28-October-2006

A British dependency since 1832, the Falkland Islands are situated in the south Atlantic Ocean.

The Falkland Islands are also known as "Islas Malvinas" by the Argintians.

Since the Argentian invasion and subsequent recapture by the UK in 1982, the British government has invested heavily in a "Fortress Falklands" policy. A new runway and military base has been built.

The islanders seem keen to maintain the status quo, but improved relations with Argentina has meant that scheduled air connections (via Chile) were restored in 1999.

Since the war, the Falkland economy has prospered, and in 1987 the islands became solvent due to the sale of fishing licenses. However, the Argentians struck back! They sold cheaper, less restrictive licenses which has caused a slump in Falkland fishing revenues.

A 1995 agreement between the UK and Argentina for oil exploration, and the discovery of oil reserves in the Falklands' territorial waters is boosting the economic prospects; islanders are willing to use the oil revenues to pay for their defense.