From the minute you arrive, the Falklands offers you total personal security, clean air, friendly people, no crowds, no neon, no fast food, and no stress. All this in surroundings where the vastness of sky is only matched by the distance of the horizon and the eye is constantly captivated by the ever-changing play of light on water and white grass.
Falkland Islands Travel Guide
Full Name
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Former Name
Capital City
Stanley
Government Type
British overseas territory
Area Size
12,173 sq km
Time Zone
UTC/GMT -4 hours
Climate
Surrounded by cool South Atlantic waters, the Falkland Islands have a cold maritime climate with a narrow temperature range of about 19°C in summer and 2°C in winter. Rainfall is relatively low at about 24 inches. Humidity and winds, however, are constantly high. Snow is rare, but can occur at almost any time of year.
Geography
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located 483 km from the coast of Argentina, 1,080 km west of the Shag Rocks (South Georgia), and 940 km north of Antarctica (Elephant Island). They consist of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, together with 776 smaller islands.
Languages
English
Culture
Falkland Islanders are predominantly of British descent. Family names such as Felton, Biggs and Watson originate from settlers who arrived in Stanley in the 1840's. However, the telephone book lists names such as Hansen, Anderson and Berntsen - relatives of Scandinavian settlers brought to the South Atlantic in whaling fleets.
History
The Falkland Islands have had a complex history since their discovery, with France, United Kingdom, Spain, and Argentina all claiming possession and establishing as well as abandoning settlements on the islands. The Spanish government's claim was continued by Argentina after the latter's independence in 1816 and the independence war in 1817. The United Kingdom took control of the islands by force with the 1833 invasion of the Falkland Islands following the destruction of the Argentine settlement at Puerto Soledad by the American sloop USS Lexington (December 28, 1831). Argentina has continued to claim sovereignty over the islands, and the dispute was used by the military junta as a reason to invade and briefly occupy the islands before being defeated in the two-month-long Falklands War in 1982 by a United Kingdom task force which returned the islands to British control. The islands were uninhabited when they were first discovered by European explorers. There is disputed evidence of prior settlement by humans.
Travel Information
Flights to and from Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) are operated by the UK Ministry of Defence. There are direct flights from RAF Brize Norton in the UK. Tour operators and travel agents will make the necessary arrangements if the trip is booked through them; independent travellers need to contact a travel coordinator at the Falkland Islands Government Office. Return flights from the UK are via Ascension Island. The other option is to fly to Santiago (Chile) and connect with a flight to Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt in southern Chile and then on to Stanley. Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) is approximately 56km from Stanley. Buses connect the airport and Stanley. Facilities: Limited duty-free shopping. Departure Tax £20. Children under two years of age are exempt. Cruise companies operate to the Falklands. The main shipping company operating to and from the UK is Darwin Shipping.
Accommodation
Accommodation is limited and should be booked in advance. There are hotels, lodges and boarding houses in the Falkland Islands, as well as full-board accommodation on a farm. There are two hotels, three guest houses and a growing number of bed and breakfasts in Stanley. There are also lodges at Pebble Island, Port Howard, San Carlos and Sea Lion Island. Self-catering accommodation is also available throughout the Islands.
Visa Requirements
Visas are not required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for stays of up to four months. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Passport valid for a minimum of three months beyond departure required by all nationals referred to above. An Overseas Territory of a country is deemed to be part of that country when negotiating visa exemption. All nationals (including non-visa nationals) must obtain a visitor, work or residence permit, normally valid for four weeks. An extension of up to 12 months may be granted by applying to the immigration office on arrival and providing proof of sufficient funds and accommodation during stay. A visitors permit is issued after completing a visitors form and requires proof of return tickets, sufficient funds and accommodation. Visitors permits can be obtained from the Falkland Islands Government Office in London, or the Falkland Islands Immigration Office in Stanley, the nearest British consulate or on arrival.
Getting Around
Most of the settlements and offshore islands in the Falklands can be reached by light aircraft. This service is run by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS). There are no fixed schedules but daily flights operate to all parts of the islands, subject to demand. Capacity for flights is eight passengers. Boats may be chartered for day trips from Stanley and elsewhere in the islands. Some settlements may be able to offer the use of landing vessels or other craft to reach the outlying islands. There are plenty of tour operators and guides to choose from in Stanley. Outside the capital, overland travel is difficult and vehicles can frequently get bogged down. However, there is one asphalt road linking Stanley, the Mount Pleasant airport complex and Goose Green, and an all-weather graded track linking Mount Pleasant with Goose Green and Stanley with Port Louis, Estancia, Salvador and various settlements in the north of East Falkland as far as Port San Carlos. A similar track on West Falkland links Port Howard, Chartres, Fox Bay, Hill Cove and Roy Cove. The best form of transport in this terrain is a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Road networks are continually improving however. Falkland Island Tours and Travel Service offer a service from Mount Pleasant to the airport. There are coach routes to and from the airport and trips can be organised to particular destinations. Taxi services are available in Stanley and the airport. 4-wheel-drive and other vehicles can be hired.
Health & Safety
Travellers are adviced to have vaccinations for Tetanus and Yellow Fever, in case flights are diverted to a risk area. Hospital, dental and other medical treatments are free, as are prescribed medicines and ambulance travel to visitors whose country has a reciprocal NHS agreement. Otherwise, medical insurance is recommended. Proof of residence in the UK or an EHIC form for other nationals are required to benefit from free treatments. Most visits to the Falkland Islands are trouble-free and there is little crime or disorder.
National Holidays
1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 21 Apr - Queen’s Birthday (forwarded to 23 Apr). 14 Jun - Liberation Day. 1 Oct - Spring Holiday. 8 Dec - Battle Day (forwarded to 10 Dec). 25-28 Dec - Christmas.
Currency
Falkland pound (FKP)
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz
Working Hours
Government office hours: Mon-Fri 8.00am - 12.00noon, 1.00pm - 4.30pm Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8.00am - 12.00noon , 1.00pm - 5.00pm
Emergency Numbers
999
