The Falkland Islands: A Brief History of the Malvinas

The Falkland Islands, also known as Islas Malvinas, is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic Ocean. It lies about 300 miles northeast of the southern tip of South America and a similar distance east of the Strait of Magellan. The capital and major town is Stanley, on East Falkland.

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The Falkland Islands have a long and complex history. The British landed in 1690 and claimed the islands. The first settlement was by the French, at Port Louis on East Falkland in 1764. Spain soon after pressured the French to leave, and in 1767, forced the British out of a settlement on West Falkland. Argentina claimed the islands in the late 1820s, and the British reclaimed them in 1833.

The Falklands War was fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over the disputed Falkland Islands. The conflict began on April 2, 1982, when Argentine forces invaded and occupied the islands. The British government dispatched a naval task force to retake the islands, which arrived on April 19. After a short but intense campaign, British forces defeated Argentine forces on June 14, and Argentina surrendered.

Today, the Falkland Islands are home to around 3,400 people who are mainly of British descent. The economy is based on fishing and tourism, with sheep farming also playing an important role. The islands are also home to a variety of wildlife species such as penguins, albatrosses, sea lions, and dolphins.