World Factbook
Falkland Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms has a white ram above the ship "Desire" (whose crew discovered the islands), with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Capital
name
Stanley
etymology
named in 1844 after Edward SMITH-STANLEY, the 14th Earl of Derby
time difference
UTC-3 (2 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
51 42 S, 57 51 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
previous 1985; latest entered into force 1 January 2009 (The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008)
Country name
etymology
the archipelago takes its name from the Falkland Sound, the strait separating the two main islands; the channel was named after the Fifth Viscount of FALKLAND, who sponsored an expedition to the islands in 1690; the Spanish name for the archipelago derives from the French "Iles Malouines," meaning Islands of Malo, the name French explorer Louis-Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE gave the islands in 1764 in honor of the French port of Saint-Malo
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Legal system
English common law and local statutes
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Legislative Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, the chief justice as an ex officio non-resident member, and 2 justices of appeal); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice)
subordinate courts
Magistrate's Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction
judge selection and term of office
chief justice, court of appeal president, and justices appointed by the governor; tenure specified in each justice's instrument of appointment
Executive branch
cabinet
Executive Council elected by the Legislative Council
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Colin MARTIN-REYNOLDS (since 29 July 2025)
head of government
Chief Executive Andrea Patricia CLAUSEN (since 1 April 2025)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; monarch appoints the governor, who appoints the chief executive
National holiday
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
National color(s)
red, white, blue
Political parties
none; all independents
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
10 (8 directly elected, 2 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Legislative Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
12/11/2025
expected date of next election
November 2025
percentage of women in chamber
25% note: does not include the speaker
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK territory
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
ram
National coat of arms
the Falkland Islands adopted its coat of arms in 1948; the shield highlights the national symbol, the ram, which represents the country’s agricultural industry and stands on native tussock grass; English navigator John Davis’s sailing vessel, the Desire , is shown, referencing his sighting of the islands in 1592; below the shield is the national motto, “Desire the Right”
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (administered by the UK; claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (administered by the UK; claimed by Argentina)
International organization participation
UPU