Travel Falklands islands archipelago

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic continental shelf consisting of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, and a number of smaller islands. The Falkland Islands are located at 51°45′00″S, 059°10′00″W. The Falkland Islands are a largely self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom but are claimed by Argentina to be part of its national territory. Stanley is the capital and largest city, on East Falkland.

The islands are 300 miles (483 km) from the South American mainland. Most visitors to the islands come between October and March to enjoy the spectacular wildlife and quaint rural lifestyle. The most popular reason to visit is for the scenic beauty, flora and fauna, and conservation is high on the Islands agenda.

Falkland islands tourism board invitation

Natural World

The Falkland Islands were visited by Charles Darwin in the 19th Century and, like the Galapagos, were found by him to contain examples of flora and fauna, not found elsewhere. These discoveries in the context of the isolation of the islands in which they were found prompted thoughts in Darwin, which were ultimately to find shape in his iconoclastic work, Origin of Species.

Some of these discoveries, like the warrah, the once common Falkland Islands fox, have now disappeared, but others remain. These include birds such as the Cobbs wren, plants such as the colourful Felton’s flower, falklands false plantain and an inhabitant of our unique geological stone runs - the fascinating snake plant. Common here in the islands, yet approaching extinction throughout the rest of the world, are species such as the striated caracara and the ruddy-headed goose, tame enough to make for some superb photo opportunities. 

To say that the people of the Falklands are British is both an understatement and at the same time, an over-simplification. Everywhere in the Islands' capital Stanley, there is evidence of our British roots: pubs, neat gardens in front of Jubilee Villas, British 'bobbies', red mail boxes, the union flag outside Government House, street names.
 
Whatever the time of year, whatever your particular interest, in terms of wildlife and sheer natural wilderness, the Falklands always has something to offer.