Falkland Islands

29 Oct 2024 13:09:19 pm

Tags : Falkland Islands

Topic: Islands

Why in the news?

Researchers have found evidence that the treeless, rugged, grassland landscape of the Falkland Islands was home to a lush, diverse rainforest up to 30 million years ago.
The study reveals that the South Atlantic archipelago was once covered in cool, wet woodland — similar to the present-day rainforests found in Tierra del Fuego, off the tip of South America.

Source: The Hindu

About Falkland Islands:

It is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf.
The principal islands are about 480 km east of South America\'s southern Patagonian coast and about 1,210 km from Cape Dubouzet at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The archipelago, with an area of 12,000 sq. km., comprises East Falkland, West Falkland, and 776 smaller islands.
As a British overseas territory, the Falklands have internal self-governance, but the United Kingdom takes responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs.
The capital and largest settlement is Stanley on East Falkland.
Controversy exists over the Falklands\' discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements.
- Britain reasserted its rule in 1833, but Argentina maintains its claim to the islands.
- In April 1982, Argentine military forces invaded the islands.
- British administration was restored two months later at the end of Falklands War.
- In a 2013 sovereignty referendum, almost all Falklanders voted in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory.
- The territory\'s sovereignty status is part of an ongoing dispute between Argentina and the UK.