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