World Factbook
Falkland Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Area
land
12,173 sq km
note
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
water
0 sq km
total
12,173 sq km
Climate
cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 60 cm in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate
Terrain
rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Land use
other
6.8% (2023 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
93.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 93.2% (2023 est.)
Location
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km east of southern Argentina
Coastline
1,288 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mount Usborne 705 m
Irrigated land
NA
Map references
South America
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
strong winds persist throughout the year
Geography - note
deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
Natural resources
fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Geographic coordinates
51 45 S, 59 00 W
Population distribution
a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley