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Where are the Falkland
Islands?
They are in the South Atlantic
between Latitudes 51º and 53ºS and Longitudes 57º and 62ºW. The Falkland
Islands are about 400 miles East of the South American mainland.
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How big are the
Falkland Islands?
There are two main islands (East and
West Falkland) and over 200 smaller islands with a total land area of
approximately 4,700 square miles (12,173 square kilometers).
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How many people live in
the Falkland Islands?
The 2001 Census recorded a resident
population of 2,379 of which 1,989 live in Stanley. 96% of the population hold
British or British Dependent Territory citizenship.
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What is the weather
like in the Falkland Islands?
Average daytime temperatures measured
at Mount Pleasant are 15°C in January and February, and 4°C in June and July.
Average nighttime temperatures are 6°C in January and February and 0°C in June
and July. The maximum temperature recorded at Mount Pleasant was 29.2°C and the
minimum was -9.5°C.
The prevailing winds are from the west, and they are stronger in the summer
than the winter.
Generally it is wetter on the east than the west, and the recorded annual
average rainfall at Mount Pleasant is 566mm.
The Islands are relatively sunny, and average hours of sunshine are similar to
southern England coastal areas. Average daily sunshine hours range from 7.5
hours in December and January to 2.0 in June and July.
All data supplied by the Met Office at Mount Pleasant.
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How can I travel to the
Falkland Islands?
Travelling to the Falklands can be
made either by the weekly LAN flight from Santiago, Chile, via Puerto
Montt and Punta Arenas (which stops off once a month at Rio Gallegos in
Argentina) or via MoD flight from Brize Norton, England. Flight information can be
found at www.visitorfalklands.com
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When should I visit the
Falkland Islands?
You will find a warm welcome whenever
you visit the Falklands but the best time for seeing the wildlife is between
October and February. The best fishing for sea trout occurs in September and
October for the first run and March and April for the second run.
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What wildlife can be
seen in the Falkland Islands?
Five species of penguin breed in the
Falkland Islands and these are the star attractions. However, there are 17
different mammals and over 70 different species of birds that breed in the
Islands, including elephant seals, sea lions, fur seals, dolphins and an
amazing variety of birds from the tiny dark faced ground tyrant through to the
magnificent black browed albatross and striated caracara.
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What time zone do the
Falkland Islands sit in?
The Falkland Islands are GMT – 4
hours (FI winter) and GMT - 3 hours (FI summer).
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What is the currency in
the Falkland Islands?
The Falkland pound (1FKP = 1GBP);
English sterling is universally accepted. Currency exchange and cash are
available at the Standard Chartered Bank in Stanley and sterling travellers
cheques, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Stanley.
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What are the Duty Free
allowances in the Falkland Islands?
Alcoholic beverages: One Litre of spirits, or two litres of spiritous beverages not exceeding 22% alc by volume, and two litres of wine,
and 10 litres beer. Tobacco & Tobacco Products: 200 cigarettes, or 250 grammes tobacco, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars.
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What electrical system
is used in the Falkland Islands?
The standard UK 240V 50Hz system
operates in the Islands. 13 amp square pin plugs are the main type of plug
used.
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What are the main
products of the Falkland Islands?
The Falkland Islands produce between
250,000 and 300,000 tonnes a year of fish and squid. There are also about
700,000 sheep on the Islands producing about 1.6 million kgs of clean white
wool. A new abattoir has been built to EU standards and the Falklands Islands is exporting
natural grass fed lamb and mutton to European Markets. Interest in this unique product is
increasing.
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What is the Falkland Islands Mark of Origin?
The Falkland Islands Mark of Origin is designed to show buyers of goods and services that what they are buying is substantially derived from the Falklands. It can be found on handicrafts, restaurant menus, and a whole range of other goods and services. The logo shows three of our native tussac leaves blowing in the breeze.
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What is the situation
regarding oil being found in the Falkland Islands?
Six exploratory wells were drilled in
the North Falkland Basin in 1998. The analysis of the data from these wells
suggests that the basin has an excellent source rock and that up to 11 billion
barrels of oil may have been generated there. The question now is – where did
it go?
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What impact do the
military have on the Falkland Islands?
Very little – there are currently
about 1700 British military personnel on the Falkland Islands; most are based
at Mount Pleasant which is 35 miles from Stanley. There are still 120
minefields on the Falkland Islands from the conflict in 1982 – they are clearly
marked off and no civilian has ever been hurt by mines or unexploded ordnance.
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Do I need a Visa to
visit the Falkland Islands?
Visitors from the EEC, Mercosur, USA, Australia, Canada,
Cyprus, New Zealand or South Africa do not need Visas. Visitors from other countries should check with their nearest
British Consulate, or contact the Travel Co-Ordinator at the Falkland Islands
Government Office on +44 (0) 20 7222 2375 Email:travel@falklands.gov.fk.
All visitors are required to have a passport valid for the duration of their
stay.
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Do I need any
vaccinations to enter the Falkland Islands?
No, you do not need any vaccinations
to enter the Islands. However, if you are travelling on the MoD flight, it is
recommended that you have a yellow fever inoculation, in case of diversion to
Africa. If you are travelling through South America, you should follow
guidelines recommended for any country you are passing through. Check with your
doctor before you travel.
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Do I need travel
insurance?
All visitors should ensure that they
have adequate medical insurance. There are qualified GPs, dentists and medical
staff in the Islands with hospital facilities to cope with the needs of the
community and visitors, including any contingencies that may arise.
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What sort of clothes
should I pack?
Casual clothing is the order in the
Falkland Islands. Particularly important are a wind/waterproof jacket or anorak
with a hood or hat and a stout pair of walking boots or shoes, as you may have
to cross some rough ground to see the best wildlife. Suntan lotion and lipsalve
are essential when spending time outdoors in the remarkably clear, unpolluted
air. Shoes or slippers for indoor use are also useful.
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Should I book
accommodation in advance?
Prebooked accommodation is a prerequisite for entry into the Falkland Islands.
An arrival in the Islands all visitors are required to demonstrate they have;
a. Proof of booked accommodation
b. Adequate funds to cover expenses during their stay,
c. Return or onward travel booked.
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Do I need an
international driving licence?
No. A visitor can drive in the
Falkland Islands for 12 months on any licence that has been issued by a
competent authority. However, the driver must not have been disqualified from
driving in that country, must be 18 years old or over, and must not have been
present in the Falkland Islands for more than 12 months in the preceding 36
months.
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Where can I find out about jobs in the Falkland Islands?
There is no employment agency in the Falkland Islands.
Vacancies are advertised in the Penguin News (www.penguin-news.com).
Specialist positions are usually advertised in the appropriate UK professional journal.
Falkland Islands businesses can be found through the Chamber of Commerce (www.falklandislandschamberofcommerce.com)
or our links page. (http://www.falklandislands.com/about_us/links.asp)
Other details can be found on the website of the Falkland Islands Government.http://www.falklands.gov.fk/employment.htm
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Can I work when I
reach the Islands?
It is not permitted to work when you
arrive in the Islands, unless the FIG Immigration Officer has granted you a
work permit before arriving. These can only be issued prior to your arrival.
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I want to search
public records for family history information. How do I go about that?
A professional searching service of the public records is provided by
Stanley Museum. They can advise you of what records are available for searching and what charges are involved. Email
falklands.museum@horizon.co.fk
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I would like to
emigrate to the Falkland Islands. What do I do next?
This depends on whether you intend to
settle permanently or not:
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT
Individuals or families that intend to remain settled in our community can
apply for Permanent Residence Permits from OUTSIDE the Falkland Islands at any
time. The effect of a Permanent Residence Permit is to allow the holder/s to
enter and depart from and reside in the Falkland Islands without restriction to
take any lawful employment or to pursue any lawful business, trade, profession,
calling or vocation in the Falkland Islands.
Applications can also be made from INSIDE the Falklands; however, if applying
from INSIDE, a minimum of three years ordinary residence must be completed in
the Falkland Islands.
Whether applying from inside or outside the Islands, the individual/family must
satisfy certain criteria in order to apply and any application is considered by
the Falkland Islands Government Executive Council.
SHORT TERM IMMIGRATION AND/OR WORK
Individuals who do not intend to, or cannot show that they intend to, live and
settle permanently in the Falkland Islands may apply for a Residence Permit or
a Work Permit depending on their reasons for wishing to enter the Falklands
Residence Permit
This permit allows the holder to reside in the Falklands for a definite period
(up to 3 years). Whilst it does not permit the holder to work, it does permit
you to look for work in the Islands and apply for a Work Permit (once
employment is secured) without having to leave the Islands.
Work Permit
This permit allows the holder to enter and depart the Islands and to reside in
the Falklands whilst it remains valid. A work permit is issued to an individual
and specifically names the employer and the nature of the work to be undertaken
during its validity. If you are coming to the Falkland Islands to work, you
should obtain a Work Permit BEFORE travelling to the Falklands. Persons
arriving without this document will be treated as a short-term visitor unless
they have been granted a Residence Permit.
For further immigration information please contact:
In the United Kingdom:
Falkland Islands Government Office
Falkland House
14 Broadway
WESTMINSTER
London SW1H 0BH
Tel: 020 7222 2542
Fax: 020 7222 2375
e-mail: travel@falklands.gov.fk
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In the Falkland Islands:
Falkland Islands Immigration Service
Customs & Immigration Department
3 H Jones Road
STANLEY
Falkland Islands FIQQ 1ZZ
Tel: +500 27340
Fax: +500 27342
e-mail: admin@customs.gov.fk
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Where can I get further information?
Contact us
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What is the Falkland Islands Governments policy on the abuse of drugs?
Drugs Warning
We are proud of our extremely low incidence of drug abuse and the Falkland Islands Government is firmly committed to maintaining the drugs-free environment currently enjoyed here. Anyone entering the Falkland Islands as a visitor or as a temporary resident/worker, who is convicted of a drugs-related offence, will be dealt with severely by the authorities and their immigration permit may be revoked.
Due to AOL e-mail policies, we are technically unable to contact e-mail addresses of AOL and associated ISPs.
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