Falkland Islands on south america map. Falkland Islands (Malvinas): A History

Since the dispute over the ownership of the islands has not been finally resolved, the use of many Spanish proper names in the Falkland Islands is considered offensive. In particular, this applies to names associated with the invasion of the Argentine troops in the Falkland Islands in 1982. The commander of British forces in the Falklands Conflict, General Sir Jeremy Moore, did not allow the use of the name "Malvinas" in the document on the surrender of the Argentine side, rejecting it as a propaganda term.

Geography

The Falkland Islands consist of two large (West and East Falkland) and about 776 small islands and rocks. The archipelago is located 343 km from the Argentine island of Estados, 463 km from the coast of South America and 1078 km from Shag Rocks (South Georgia). The total area is 12,173 km². The total length of the coastline is about 1300 km, the coast is heavily indented. The West and East Falkland Islands are separated by the Falkland Strait. The highest point of the archipelago is Mount Usborne (705 m, located on East Falkland Island), Mount Adam on West Falkland Island has a height of 700 m. There are no long rivers on the islands, but there are a large number of streams, which usually flow into the nearest fjord or bay.

Climate

The climate of the islands is characterized as moderate, cool, oceanic. Westerly winds prevail. Temperature changes throughout the year are relatively small. Average monthly temperatures vary from +9 ° С in January and February to +2 ° С in June and July. The average annual temperature is about +5.6 ° С. It is influenced by powerful cold currents. One of them - Falkland (Malvin) - follows from the Falkland Islands to La Plata Bay. The current speed is 1-2 km / h. The average water temperature in winter is from +4 to +10 ° С, in summer from +8 to +15 ° С. It carries a large number of icebergs, although icebergs are rare near the islands.

The average annual precipitation is about 574 mm, the level of precipitation is approximately constant throughout the year. The western part of the archipelago is drier than the eastern one. So, the level of precipitation in Port Stanley, on the east coast - about 630 mm, while in the extreme west of the Falkland Islands - only about 430 mm. In winter, precipitation can occur in the form of snow, but it is only temporary and does not create a long-term snow cover. Fogs are frequent.

Flora and fauna

Biogeographically, the islands belong to the Antarctic ecozone and the Holontarctic floristic kingdom. There is a strong connection with the Patagonian flora and fauna. The only native land mammal of the archipelago was the Falkland fox (exterminated in the middle of the 19th century with the beginning of mass colonization). The coastal waters are home to 14 species of marine mammals. A large number of seabirds (more than 60 species) nest on the islands, among them it is worth noting the black-browed albatross, 60% of which is nesting in the Falkland Islands. In addition, 5 species of penguins nest on the archipelago. Not a single species of reptiles and amphibians live on the islands. About 200 species of insects have been registered, as well as 43 species of spiders and 12 species of worms. Only 13 species of terrestrial invertebrates are recognized as endemic (beetles Malvinius, Morronia, Falklandius and others), however, due to the lack of information on many species, the proportion of endemics is probably much higher. There are 6 fish species in the fresh waters of the archipelago.

The vegetation of the archipelago is represented by grass meadows and heather wastelands. There are 363 species of vascular plants, 21 species of ferns and 278 species of flowering plants.

The flora and fauna of the archipelago were greatly altered during the course of colonization. Today, almost the entire territory of the islands is used as pasture for sheep. The imported plant and animal species damage the local flora and fauna.

History

The Europeans did not find an indigenous population on the islands, but in ancient times they could have been visited by fire-dwellers. In the second half of the 19th century, on the islands of the Keppel and Pebble archipelago, tools and traces of a settlement left by the Yagana sea tribe from Tierra del Fuego were discovered.

The islands were officially discovered in -1592 by the English navigator John Davis, who commanded a ship on the expedition of the English corsair Thomas Cavendish, but the Spaniards also claim the right to be considered the discoverers of the archipelago. Subsequently, the islands have repeatedly passed from hand to hand.

However, despite this, until 1834, the Falkland Islands, in fact, were self-governing. And only on January 10, 1834, British naval lieutenant Henry Smith raised the Union Jack over Port Louis. At the same time, governors, as such, began to be appointed only from 1842, and before that the head of the islands was the so-called resident naval officer(English resident naval officer). Subsequently, the British Royal Navy built a military base in the Falklands at Port Stanley, and the islands became a strategically important point for navigation in the Cape Horn area.

World War I

The German command tried to intensify the actions of its fleet on British sea communications in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. Vice-Admiral von Spee led the campaign of the squadron (2 armored and 3 light cruisers, 2 transports and a hospital ship) to the shores of South America, where on November 1, 1914, in a battle at Cape Coronel, he defeated an English squadron of cruisers.

Having completed the task of diverting significant forces of the British fleet, the German squadron was ordered to break through back to Germany. Not knowing the location of the British ships, Spee decided to strike at the British naval base of Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, where the British squadron was located (1 battleship, 2 battleships, 3 armored and 2 light cruisers). Meeting unexpectedly strong resistance, Spee tried to leave, but the British ships overtook him. Spee ordered the light cruisers and transports to leave in various directions. The British armored cruisers and light cruisers began to pursue them, and the battle cruisers engaged and sank the German armored cruisers. Two light German cruisers and transports were also destroyed. Only the cruiser "Dresden" (killed in a battle near the island of Mas-a-Tierra) and the hospital ship "Seydlitz" managed to escape (interned in neutral Argentina). As a result of the victory, the British command was relieved of the need to allocate significant forces to secondary theaters of operations, and the German command lost a strong cruising squadron. Spee himself was killed on the flagship cruiser Scharnhorst.

Mid XX century

The question of the territorial belonging of the islands arose again in the second half of the 20th century. Argentina saw the creation of the UN as an opportunity to declare to the rest of the countries about its rights to the archipelago: when the UN Charter was signed in 1945, Argentina declared that it retains the right to own the Falkland Islands and the right to get them back. Britain responded in the spirit that the islanders should vote to secede from Britain in a referendum and that this was an important condition for the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. Later, in the 1960s, negotiations were held between the British and Argentine representatives, but they did not lead to any intelligible solution to the Falklands issue. The stumbling block in the negotiations was the fact that the two thousand inhabitants of the islands, mostly of British origin, preferred that they remain British territory.

Anglo-Argentine conflict

British military bases are located on the islands - air force base Mount Pleasant and naval base Mayor Harbor.

Relations between the UK and Argentina have strained again after British companies began developing oil fields offshore the islands in 2010. In the spring of 2012, the Argentine authorities announced that they intend to take legal action against companies involved in the exploration of oil and gas in the territories near the islands, such as Rockhopper Exploration, Falkland Oil & Gas, etc. After that, the UK increased its military presence in the region. strengthening the fleet with the latest destroyer Dauntless and a submarine of the Trafalgar class, as well as demonstratively sending Prince William there on a six-week trip.

Argentina protested the militarization of the islands shortly thereafter, but on February 8, 2012, the UK denied the allegations.

“We are not militarizing the South Atlantic. Our defensive strategy in the Falkland Islands remains unchanged. The people of the Falklands choose British citizenship. His right to self-determination is enshrined in the UN Charter, ”said the press service of British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Population

According to the 2016 census, the population of the Falkland Islands is 3,200. (in 2012 - 2840, in 2008 - 3140 people. According to the 2012 census, most of the population (94.7% or 2691 people) live on East Falkland Island, 4.5% or 127 people - on West Falkland Island and 0.8% or 22 people - on the other islands of the archipelago, 2120 people live in Port Stanley (71.57% of the archipelago's population).

The language of the majority of the population is English; Spanish is also spoken (12%). About 2% of the population speaks English with little or no confidence in this language. 66% of the population of the archipelago professes Christianity, 32% said they had no religion, about 2% profess other religions. Most of the population (1/2) are descendants of Scottish, English, Chilean settlers, some are also recent settlers from Great Britain (27%), Saint Helena (10%), Chile (6%), France, Germany and other countries) ... In recent years, the government has taken measures to develop the islands at the expense of immigrants from the "new" countries. Thus, the 2016 census recorded 72 people. from Zimbabwe, 53 pers. from the Philippines and 12 people. from Peru. As a result, the population of the islands has become even more "variegated". The share of the colored population (African, Asian, Native American) has grown to 15-20%.

General information

Official name - Falkland Islands (Malvinas)... Archipelago in the southwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean. This British Overseas Territory is an important gateway from the Atlantic to the Pacific and allows control of the South Atlantic. The area is 12,173 km 2. Population - 3,140 people. (for 2008). The state language is English. The capital is Stanley. The monetary unit is the Falkland Islands pound.

The Falkland Islands consist of two large (West and East Falkland) and about 776 small islands and rocks. The archipelago is located 343 km from the Argentine island of Estados, 463 km from the coast of South America and 1078 km from the Shag Rocks (). The total area is 12,173 km 2. The total length of the coastline is about 1300 km, the coast is heavily indented. The West and East Falkland Islands are separated by the Falkland Strait. The highest point of the archipelago is Mount Usborne (705 m, located on East Falkland Island), Mount Adam on West Falkland Island has a height of 700 m.

The climate of the islands is characterized as moderate, cool, oceanic. Westerly winds prevail. Temperature changes throughout the year are relatively small. Average monthly temperatures vary from + 9 ° С in January and February to + 2 ° С in June and July. The average annual temperature is about + 6 ° С.

History

The Falkland Islands were discovered by the British in the 17th century, and then almost immediately by the French. However, she believed that this was their territory. In 1833 she conquered the Falkland Islands. Since then, in the eyes of Argentines, Britain has been an invader. In 1982, the Argentine military junta designed an operation to invade the Falkland Islands to distract the population of its country from human rights problems and the difficult state of the economy. Perhaps this was also done to increase the level of national pride.

In April 1982, Argentine troops landed in the Falklands, occupying them in two days. The resistance of the small Marine garrison was short-lived. In response, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher ordered the Navy to return the occupied territories. A group of troops and warships, which included two aircraft carriers, moved towards the islands. Already on April 25, one of them was repulsed. After that, the British Navy blocked the occupied territories with submarines and ships. The aircraft made successful raids, as a result of which three Argentine aircraft were shot down. The Argentines had their light cruiser sunk and the British lost their destroyer.

British troops numbering 4,000 on the night of May 23 landed on the west coast, near the city of San Carlos. The group included the marines, paratroopers and SAS special forces. The commander of the troops was Julian Thompson. SAS commandos attacked the airfield on Pebble Island. The paratroopers liberated the villages of Guz-Green and Darwin. SAS commandos destroyed a unit of Argentine commandos at the height of Kent. In June, the British landed 5,000 more in the Falkland Islands. After that, the assault on the city of Port Stanley began from the adjacent heights, which was liberated on June 12. The commander of the Argentine forces, General Mendes, surrendered on June 14, realizing the hopelessness of his position.

During the Battle of the Falkland Islands, England lost two frigates, two destroyers, a couple of support ships and 258 men. Argentine casualties: one submarine, 75 aircraft, light cruiser, 649 dead and 11,313 prisoners. As a result of the defeat, power in Argentina changed - the junta fell. Britain has established its international image. However, despite this, Argentina has not abandoned its claims to the Falklands so far. In 2013, almost an absolute majority (99.8%) of the inhabitants of the islands confirmed their belonging to Britain in a referendum.

The Falkland Islands are a self-governing territory of Great Britain. They are also claimed by Argentina.

Falkland Islands landmarks

Port Stanley (Stanley or Puerto Argentino) actually resembles a village. Historically, it acquired its political status only due to its larger size than other settlements in the archipelago. Since many of its houses were built of stone and wood "rescued" from the debris of numerous shipwrecks, the city has a certain charm, accentuated by its brightly painted buildings, traditional English lawns and the constant smell of burning peat carried by the sea breeze. The most attractive object of the city is Government House, which has been the seat of the governor of the islands since the middle of the 19th century. An obligatory visitation ceremony is an entry in the "register of visitors", a tribute to the tradition and government of the islands.

Not far from the residence is located Christ Church Cathedral- a massive structure of brick and stone with a colorfully painted metal roof and imposing stained glass windows. The building was built in 1892 and now houses a museum and several plaques commemorating the Falkland soldiers who died in the battles of the world wars.

In a small square next to the cathedral stands the recently restored whalebone arch, established in 1933 to commemorate the centenary of British rule in the Falkland Islands.

Port louis- the oldest settlement in the Falkland Islands and, accordingly, the oldest buildings on the islands. This is a 19th century ivy-covered farmhouse, the ruins of a French governor's residence and the estate of Louis Vernet nearby. Port Louis lies in the depths of Berkeley Sound, the largest bay in the East Falklands, 35 km away. northwest of Port Stanley. The outskirts of the city are very picturesque and with their green low mountain slopes resemble the landscape of northern Scotland.

Volunteer Beach located east of Port Louis on the shores of Johnson Harbor, provides excellent conditions for more than 150 breeding pairs of king penguins, the largest colony of these birds on the islands. A few hours walk east of the beach, in the Volunteer Neunt area, there is a large colony of Antarctic fur seals, and in the Volunteer Lacoon area there are elephant seals.

Sea Lion Island located east of the south coast of Falkland, less than a mile in diameter, but abundant in wildlife. Among its usual inhabitants - five species of penguins, a huge colony of cormorans, giant pigeons and almost tame "Johnny Rook" - as the locals call the striped caracar. Hundreds of elephant seals literally fill the sandy and pebble shores of the island's southern pool. Thanks to the progressive farming methods of local landowners, the flora and fauna of the island flourish here in close proximity to sheep farms, and the island itself is considered the only Falkland island with preserved natural grass cover.

Sanders Island north of the west coast of Falkland is the site of the first British garrison in the Falkland Islands, built in 1765. It was the Spanish expulsion of this tiny garrison in 1767 that caused the war between the two countries. After 1774 the Spanish demolished the settlement, and all that remains today are a few docks, blocks of foundations for houses and a terrace of the British Marines' garden.

Falkland Islands cuisine

Falkland Islands cuisine is based on Latin American and British traditions. Typical foods include lamb, pork, fish, beef, poultry, seafood and vegetables.

Meat is widely used in local cooking. Traditional dishes include: fried sausages; meat pies; steaks, steaks; roast beef in all its forms; various lamb dishes; roasted goose with spices and other very simple, however, hearty dishes.

Not devoid of menu and seafood. The surrounding waters supply the islanders with oysters, mussels, snow crab, trout, Atlantic cod and squid. Seafood is baked, fried, made from them amazing salads and very thick rich soups. One of the main traditional dishes is the British style fish and fried potatoes.

Local chefs use fresh vegetables to garnish their dishes, which are often grown directly in the vegetable gardens adjacent to the cafe or restaurant. The vegetables are combined with the unique local red Tiberri.

In everyday life, the islanders drink a huge amount of tea and coffee. Various herbal infusions are also popular among residents.

For dessert, you can order delicious homemade cakes according to the "grandmother's recipe".

Falkland Islands on the map

Amazing nature, indescribable landscapes, cool ocean climate and endless travel opportunities make the Falkland Islands one of the most unusual tourist destinations on the planet.

Falkland Islands on world map

The right side of the flag deserves special attention, as it depicts the coat of arms of the island territories. It is this element that reflects all the charms and dignity of the archipelago. A large sky-blue shield contains waves symbolizing the proximity of the sea, a luxurious ship on which the first settlers, led by John Davis, once arrived to these marvelous shores, as well as a ram in a green meadow, personifying developed agriculture and sheep breeding in particular.

The modern version of the Falkland Islands flag design at the state level was approved on January 25, 1999. Interestingly, the Argentine government still disagrees that these lands belong to the UK. They even have their own version of the Falklands flag - a rectangular cloth in orange-blue color, which is divided diagonally by snow-white color elements.

Features of the climate of the Falkland Islands

Cool ocean weather dominates these lands almost all year round. The temperate climate in the Falkland Islands creates ideal conditions for farming, and tourists who come here for a relaxed holiday can enjoy the fresh ocean breeze in the heat. The westerly direction of the winds remains almost all year round, so temperature fluctuations are barely noticeable. In January, the average figures are about 9 degrees Celsius, and in July the air temperature drops slightly and approaches zero - 1-2 degrees with a plus sign.

The Falkland Islands are never hot, as they are surrounded by powerful cold currents from all sides. In the coastal waters during the cold season, you can often find large or small icebergs, which are brought here by the famous Falkland Current. There is not a lot of precipitation. The average annual figure is 574 millimeters. They are consistently manifested throughout the year, since there are no dry or wet seasons on these islands. Although West Falkland is always less exposed to moisture than East Falkland. A feature of the weather on the archipelago is thick fog. Snow falls quite rarely and never lingers on the surface for a long time. You can plan a trip to this wonderful land at any time of the year (for example -). Here you will always be received with hospitality and cordiality.

Falkland Islands landmarks and entertainment

Tourists who have already managed to get tired of hot seaside resorts and want to enjoy the unique natural landscapes will certainly love a measured and calm vacation in the Falkland Islands. Although the archipelago is only slightly more than 12 thousand square kilometers, the vastness of these overseas possessions of the British state certainly has something to see and do. Almost every city deserves special attention:

• Stanley- the capital of the Falkland Islands looks rather modest and quiet, as for its high-profile status. It can even be confused with a village. Historians note that initially it was so, but the excellent wide harbor and large population determined the future of this town. Most of the local houses are built of stone in a complex with the wooden wreckage of ships that were unlucky enough to reach the port unharmed. This, combined with traditional British lawns and striking building designs, creates an exceptional and indescribable atmosphere. Various buildings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which are of architectural and historical value, have survived to this day in the city. You should definitely visit Cape Pembroke, which offers a beautiful view of bird colonies, book a boat excursion along the coast and admire the penguins.
• Port louis- the old part of the Falkland Islands, which was a French colony in the eighteenth century. The blooming green landscapes are very reminiscent of the amazing slopes of northern Scotland. Seabirds, penguins and elephant seals can be seen in this part of the archipelago.
• Sea Lion- a miniature island that deserves your attention due to the turbulent life of the animal world. It is a favorite spot for elephant seals, which sunbathe on the local beach during the warmer months. Pretty crested penguins, gulls and dozens of other bird species live peacefully next to them.
• West Falkland Is an ideal place for a jeep ride. The hilly and rocky terrain of the island makes walking tours very difficult, but you will spend an exceptional time here by car. Friendly residents of picturesque villages and settlements will gladly tell you the most interesting stories from life, show you fascinating excursion routes and serve you a hearty aromatic dinner.
• Carcass Island- a paradise for connoisseurs of ornithology. Many tourists come here to watch birds in their natural habitat. The nature of these lands will certainly conquer you with its abundance and splendor.

Almost every island in the Falklands archipelago is worth visiting, but it is hardly possible to have time to visit all 778 in one trip. The Falkland Islands will certainly be remembered for their originality, hospitality of the population and genuine.

Geographical position

They lie in the southwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean, 480 km east of the coast of Argentina, 1080 km west of Shag Rock (South Georgia Islands) and 940 km north of Elephant Island (Antarctica).
The archipelago consists of two large islands - East Falkland (Soledad) and West Falkland (Gran Malvina), as well as many (about 770) small islets and rocks.
total area territory of about 12.2 thousand sq. km.
Capital - Stanley(Port Stanley).

How to get there

By plane
Getting to the Falkland Islands from Moscow will not be easy: first you have to fly to Chile with a transfer in Paris or Madrid, and from Santiago to Port Stanley.

Visa

Entry rules. A UK visa is required to enter. Visas for stays of up to 4 months are required for everyone except citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, San Marino, Switzerland and Uruguay. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are generally allowed to stay on the islands for up to six months without a visa.

In other cases, to obtain a visa, you must submit application form in English, passport valid for at least 6 months, 2 passport size photographs and provide proof of sufficient funds for an extended stay, as well as present a progressive ticket.

Document processing time- within 24 hours with direct contact with the embassy and 2-4 weeks for postal items.

Note: all visitors to the islands, even nationals of the aforementioned countries, must obtain permission to visit Falkland from the Falkland Islands Government Office in London or the nearest British consulate.

In the case of a tourist trip Permits can be obtained upon arrival at the Falkland Islands Immigration Office (Ross Road, Port Stanley, telephone: 27340; fax: 27342).

For permission Requires return tickets, proof of sufficient financial resources and proof of commitment to stay on the island.

For all types of travel there is one type of visa at a cost of £ 5, valid for a period of 6 months from the date of receipt for a stay of up to 4 months. Instructions and visa requirements are subject to change without notice, so it is recommended that you contact the appropriate diplomatic or consular authorities before traveling.
Customs regulations. There are no restrictions on the import and export of local and foreign currency. Duty-free import is allowed: cigarettes - up to 200 pcs., Or cigars - up to 50 pcs., Or tobacco - up to 250 gr., Alcoholic beverages with a strength of more than 22 "degrees" - up to 1 liter, a strength of less than 22 "degrees" - up to 2 l., perfumery - up to 50 ml., eau de toilette - up to 250 ml., souvenirs and gifts - no more than 32 pounds sterling. The import of drugs, weapons (including knives with popping blades), counterfeit coins and banknotes, obscene materials, meat, poultry and products made from them, radio transmitters, plants, all types of live birds and bird eggs is prohibited.

Climate

Climate and weather: Oceanic, cool and evenly moist. Average annual temperatures do not exceed +10 C, in January (summer) - +18 C, in July (winter) - +3 C. Precipitation is about 1500 mm. in the year, December and January are also the wettest months. The best time to visit the islands is from October to April.

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Population

Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Archipelago Population, according to the 2012 census, is over 2,800 people. The majority of the population is concentrated on the West and East Falklands, but there are small settlements on the Weddell, Saunders, Pebble and others. By ethnic composition, most of them are descendants of English, Spanish and French settlers. The islands are home to quite a lot of immigrants who have arrived over the past two decades from the British Isles, the islands of St. Helena and Ascension, Chile and even from Russia. A large number of islands and rocks in the archipelago are uninhabited. The official and state language on the islands is English, but Spanish and French are often spoken in addition to it.

The administrative center of the islands is the city of Stanley(which was originally called Port Stanley, and in the Argentine version - Puerto Argentino), located on the northeastern coast of East Falkland. Stanley is currently home to over 2,100 people. Other large and significant settlements on the islands include Walker Creek, San Carlos, Port San Carlos, Port Louis, Chartres, Port Stephen and others.

The territorial entity, which operates on the islands of the archipelago and is officially called the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands, has relatively autonomy, but is governed by the metropolis through an appointed Governor General.

The main activity of the population of the islands is to serve b Ritan military bases and agricultural activities, which mainly consist of raising sheep. In addition, significant attention is paid to fishing and tourism on the islands, which has begun to develop recently.

Monetary unit in circulation in the Falklands is the Falkland Islands pound or, as it is also called in some sources, the Falkland pound (FKP, code 238), which is divided into 100 pence.

Nature

Falkland Islands (Malvinas) is one of the few large land areas in the South Atlantic. The relief here is hilly - almost the entire territory of the central islands is occupied by ridges of hills, cut by two low mountain ranges (the highest point is Mount Asborne, 705 m, located on East Falkland Island). The surface of the islands is replete with stone deposits and clusters of boulders, covered with grass meadows, heather wastelands and peat bogs. In the southern part of the large islands there are small swampy plains (the largest is the Lafonia Valley in East Falkland). At the same time, almost the entire territory of the islands is used as pasture for sheep, and the highly indented coast provides good natural harbors.

Small islands(Barren, Beaver, Blaker, Boshen, Carcass, Jason, George, Cappel, Lively, New, Pebble, Sanders, Sea-Lion, Speedwell, States, Weddell, West Point and others) surround the main islands like
necklace. For the most part, these are solitary lifeless rocky massifs, rising above the water by no more than 300 meters.

The natural flora and fauna of the islands are rather scarce However, various birds are found in abundance here, and the waters around are inhabited by a variety of marine animals and fish.

Dangerous plants and animals

The Falklands has a fairly diverse fauna, the danger of collision with representatives of which should be taken into account when moving around the archipelago. Many even completely harmless animals can pose a serious danger if they guard their offspring or are cornered. Elephant seals, lions and seals are especially dangerous during the breeding season, so you should not approach these animals closer than 6 meters.

Hotels, hotels, prices

Hotel Alto Andino Hotel ***
Location. Alto Andino is located in Ushuaia, close to Museum of the End of the World. Additional area points of interest include Glaciar Martial. Property Features. Dining options at Alto Andino include a restaurant and a snack bar. There is a lobby bar on site. Room service is available. Free wireless internet in public areas. Hotel amenities include tour assistance, ticket assistance, and tour assistance. Free parking is provided for guests. Additional property amenities include a rooftop terrace and an elevator (lift). Rooms. 18 guestrooms at Alto Andino feature safes. Wireless internet access is provided. Each room has a TV. Offers complimentary Internet access.
Price from 4955 rub. for 1 night.

Hotel Del Bosque Apart Hotel ***
Location. Del Bosque Apart Hotel is located in Ushuaia, close to Museum of the End of the World. Additional area points of interest include Glaciar Martial. Hotel Features. Del Bosque Apart Hotel features a restaurant and a bar / lounge. Room service is available. Additional hotel amenities include the following: ski storage and laundry services. Rooms. 0 guestrooms at Del Bosque Apart Hotel feature safes. The rooms have a refrigerator and kitchen equipment. Wireless internet access is provided. Each room has a TV.

The following is suggested: free internet access.
The hotel offers an airport pick-up service (additional charges may apply). Guests must communicate their arrival 48 hours prior to arrival using the contact details on the booking confirmation.
Children 3 years old and younger will not be charged when sharing the room with their parents or guardians, using existing bedding.
The hotel is not allowed to keep pets, including service animals.
Price from 6849 rub. per night.

Hotel Hosteria Les Eclaireurs **
Location. Hosteria Les Eclaireurs is located in Ushuaia, close to Doomsday Museum and Glaciar Martial. Additional area points of interest include Tierra del Fuego National Park. Features of the hotel. Hosteria Les Eclaireurs features tour assistance, ticket assistance, concierge services, and tour assistance. Free wireless internet in public areas. The hotel has dedicated smoking areas. Completion date for the complete renovation of the hotel: May 2011 Rooms. 14 guestrooms at Hosteria Les Eclaireurs feature minibars and safes. All rooms are entered from an external corridor. Beds have down blankets and premium bedding. Bathrooms offer shower / tub combinations rainfall showerheads. They also offer bidets, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Complimentary high-speed wired and wireless Internet access is provided. Rooms provide desks and telephones. Each room has a 26 cm LCD TV. Offers cable channels and complimentary Internet access. Includes irons / ironing boards and wake-up calls. Room service is available daily. All hotel rooms are non-smoking rooms.
Price from 3749 rub. per night.

In the southwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean is the Falkland Islands archipelago (English - Falkland Islands), or Islas Malvinas, which in Spanish sounds like the Malvinas Islands. In fact, the territory belongs to Britain and is an important point between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, allowing control of the South Atlantic. But the Falklands also considers Argentina to be its property, which refers the islands to the province of Tierra del Fuego. Several years ago, even a referendum was held, following which it was decided to preserve the current political status of the islands, that is, to leave them as an overseas part of Britain. But Argentina is still not backing down, and it is not possible to predict when the disputes will subside.

General information about the Malvinas Islands: where they are located, area

The archipelago is officially called the Falkland Islands. They are called Malvinas, given the Spanish name. The archipelago consists of 776 small islands and rocks, and two large islands - West and East Falkland, separated by the strait of the same name. The islands are heavily indented. The coastline is approximately 1,300 km long.

The Malvinas Islands cover an area of ​​over 12,000 km². The capital is the city of Stanley. Locals speak English, and the Falkland Islands pound is considered the currency here.

Given the geographical location, one can easily identify the part of the world to which the Malvinas Islands belong - this is America. The Argentine Estados is 343 km from the archipelago. The South American coast is 463 km away. The highest points of the archipelago are Mount Usborne (705 m) in East Falkland and Adam (700 m) in the West.

Archipelago history

History says that the islands were discovered at the end of the 16th century by D. Davis, an English navigator, under whose command the expedition of the English corsair Cavendish took place. According to other sources, the Spaniards were the first to discover the archipelago. It was from that time that almost a war was waged for the Malvinas Islands. They repeatedly passed to Britain, then to Spain, so there are no indigenous people here.

Almost two centuries later, Louis Antoine de Bougainville took up the study of the Falkland Islands. The French navigator is the first person to establish a settlement here. It was located in East Falkland and was named Port Saint Louis (the name existed from 1764 to 1828, after which it was renamed Port Louis). In 1765, D. Byron arrived on the archipelago and, not knowing about the presence of the French here, announced the annexation of the territory to Britain. Having explored the island of Saunders, located at the eastern end, he named the bay here Port Egmont. Already in 1766, an English settlement was founded here, not by Byron, but by McBride. At the same time, the Spaniards buy out French possessions, consolidate power and appoint their own governor.

The first conflict in the history of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) occurred in 1770, when Spain expelled the British from Port Egmont by a raid, which almost led to a bloody war. But the parties still preferred to sign a peace treaty, the Americans returned to their settlement, and the situation seemed to even improve. But no: both Spain and Great Britain continued to dispute over the rights to the islands.

In 1774 Great Britain had to leave all overseas territories, including the Malvinas Islands. The War of Independence of the United States was the reason for this. The British were sure that in the end the archipelago would belong to them, and even left a sign here that secretly told about the true owners. For a fairly long period of time, the Spanish settlement was the only one on the island - from 1776 to 1811. It was considered part of the Rio de la Plata. And in 1811, the Spaniards left the islands, following the example of the British - they installed a sign confirming their rights.

In 1816, after the declaration of independence from Spain, Argentina declared the Malvinas Islands its own. Therefore, the merchant Louis Vernet, who arrived in the archipelago in 1828, before establishing his settlement here, applied for permission from the Argentines and, of course, the British. He received approval, and then Argentina issued him a permit to catch seals, which the merchant calmly did. In 1831, Louis Vernet captured several American ships. The reason is trivial - the seals were not shared. Seeing how the Americans were catching animals, Vernet felt that they were violating his rights. The US military courts who came to the rescue ordered the merchant to release the hostages. According to some reports, after the release of their fellow countrymen, the American military destroyed the settlement. A year later, Argentina decides to restore it and sends an appointed governor there. However, he was immediately killed in a local uprising. Verne did not return to the archipelago anymore, having sold his property to an English merchant.

In 1833, the British returned to the Falkland Islands with the sole purpose of restoring their dominance over this territory, which they reported to the Argentine authorities, allowing the settlers who had already established their way of life to remain. However, until 1834, the islands actually remained self-governing. A little later, the British Royal Navy established a military base here. No matter how Argentina fought, the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands received the status of a strategically important British object for navigation. And for a while, the division of the territory stopped.

Island division at the UN level

Calm about the division of the islands lasted exactly until the second half of the XX century, until the moment when the UN was created. Argentina believed that with the help of the Organization, it would be able to declare its rights to the archipelago to everyone. The British did not hesitate with an answer - they offered to hold a referendum. Since this was the most important condition, the UN agreed with Britain's arguments. In the 1960s, the parties again tried to reach an agreement peacefully, but failed. The Islanders chose to remain part of Britain, and the Argentines did not agree with the results of the vote. Well, you can understand them, because the bulk of the locals are British.

The story of the Malvinas Islands does not end there. Relations between the two states escalated again in 2010, when the British began producing oil offshore the islands. In 2012, the military presence in the archipelago increased, for which Argentina accused the opponent of militarization.

In March 2013, a referendum was held, the results of which Argentina urges not to take seriously. Although the majority of residents expressed a desire to remain an overseas territory of Britain, the referendum was not approved by the UN, and therefore these results are considered unofficial and in no way influencing the dispute. We can only hope that the division of the territory will not turn into a war. The Malvinas (Falkland) Islands tried to conquer in this way in 1982, but then the victory remained with Britain.

State structure of the Falkland Islands

In the archipelago, a constitutional monarchy was elected as a form of government. The British Overseas Territory has retained some autonomy, but the head of state is the governor of Britain and the governments are the prime minister.

Malvinas (Falkland) Islands population

In 1992, the population was 2,000 people. By 2002, the number had increased to 2,900. According to the 2012 census, the figure remained virtually unchanged. Mostly English and Scots live here, while Argentines are not allowed to buy housing in the archipelago.

Over the past 20 years, immigrants have arrived here from the islands of St. Helena and Ascension, Chile, there are even people who came from Russia.

About 34% are rural residents, the rest live in the only city in the archipelago - Port Stanley. Most of the islands and rocks are uninhabited.

In addition to the official language (English), the locals also speak Spanish, German and French. Approximately 66% of the population is Christian.

Falklands Kitchen

In the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, cuisine is based on Latin American and British traditions. Local dishes contain a lot of meat: poultry, lamb, pork, beef, and typical products include vegetables, fish and seafood.

• fried sausages;
• steaks;
• meat pies;
• steaks;
• lamb dishes;
• roast beef;
• fried goose.

Many of the locals' favorite dishes are based on seafood. The surrounding waters make it possible to feed on snow crab meat, oysters, mussels, squid and cod. They are baked, fried, made salads, thick soups.

Local residents grow vegetables on their own in vegetable gardens, most of which are located next to the cafe. As for drinks, the islanders prefer coffee, teas and herbal infusions. Plenty of homemade baked goods. In general, everything is in the best British traditions.

Climate, flora and fauna

On the Malvinas Islands, the photos of which can be seen in the article, the climate is oceanic, it is cool here, but the humidity is uniform. The area is characterized by frequent fogs and strong winds. The wettest months are December and January. On average, the minimum temperature does not drop below + 10˚C, and the maximum is + 18˚C.

The terrain is highly rugged and hilly. There are no forests on the islands. Oceanic grass meadows, peat bogs and wastelands with red crowberry predominate.

There are very few animals on the islands, but there are many of them in the coastal strip. It is inhabited by:

• sea ​​lions;
• hawks;
• penguins;
• swans;
• albatrosses;
• elephant seals.

A large number of mammals and birds can also be seen in the Malvinas Islands. The coastal waters are inhabited by killer whales and dolphins, and the main fish are mullet, sea trout and tuna.

Economics, Science and Culture

The main activity of the population is agriculture and maintenance of the British military bases. Local residents are engaged in fishing, cattle and horses. There are many farms and sheep breeding companies, several food processing enterprises, and a wool sorting factory. Accordingly, the economy of the islands is supported by the export of wool, skins, meat and fish. Tourism is gradually developing.

There are several public educational institutions in the archipelago. The administration of Port Stanley publishes 2 newspapers every month. In the western part of the archipelago, in each settlement, New Year's holidays are organized in turn. In Port Stanley recreational activities are held between Christmas and New Years.

In summer, sports events are organized on the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands. The program includes a lot of various competitions, for example, rodeos and horse races.

Visiting the islands for tourist purposes

The tourism industry is gradually developing in the archipelago. Most international flights arrive at the airport, also considered a British military base, Mount Pleasant.

The only way to get to the Malvinas Islands is by air. The journey will not be easy because there are no direct flights from Russia. First you have to fly to Paris or Madrid, then transfer to Chile. A plane leaves from Santiago for Port Stanley. Flights are only once a week.

According to British Overseas Territory rules, every visitor to the archipelago must have an entry permit and a visa. The document is issued at the British Embassy for a period of 4 months. A visa is not required for citizens of the following states:

• Argentina;
• Andorra;
• Chile;
• Cyprus;
• Iceland;
• Brazil;
• Uruguay;
• Switzerland;
• New Zealand;
• Australia;
• Canada;
• San Marino;
• Paraguay;
• Malta;
• Liechtenstein;
• Israel;
• Norway.

Guests from all countries must also obtain a permit to visit the islands. In the case of a tourist trip, this can be done upon arrival at the Falkland Islands Immigration Office. To do this, you need to have round-trip tickets with you, proof that the tourist has sufficient funds and confirmation of the availability of a place to stay.

There are several hotels in the Malvinas Islands where guests of the archipelago can stay. They are all in Stanley. Most popular accommodation options:

• The Waterfront Boutique Hotel (36, Ross Road) - 1.2 km from the city center;
• The Paddock Bed & Breakfast (38 Davis Street) - 569 m from the center;
• 33B Davis Street Self Catering (33B Davis Street) - 824 m to the center.

It is recommended to visit the Falkland Islands between November and March. At this time, you can see the nature of the archipelago in all its glory, as well as admire numerous animals, birds, watch king penguins and albatrosses. However, you should not approach them - animals can pounce out of fear or to protect their offspring. Better to observe from afar.

How can you relax in the Malvinas Islands? The main entertainment here is walking or cycling, during which there is a unique opportunity to understand life and the rules of existence in the archipelago, to see its flora and fauna. Locals are allowed to visit their farms - you can see how wool products are made. Activities include rock climbing and windsurfing, fishing, golfing and horse riding. One of the preferred activities is bird watching.

Attractions in the archipelago

The archipelago, no matter how difficult its history, has its own attractions. Among them are memorials dedicated to the conflicts and wars for the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands of Great Britain and Argentina. There is the Falkland Museum, which tells the history of the area, and the Anglican Cathedral.

The oldest settlement is Port Louis, respectively, here you can see the oldest buildings of the archipelago. A 19th century farm, which is now completely covered with ivy, and the collapsed remains of the French governor's residence have been preserved. In Port Louis, the estate of Louis Vernet still stands.

Of course, the main attraction of the Falkland Islands is nature. It is worth coming here only for the purpose of peaceful walks and to observe the unique sunrises and sunsets. The hotels have tourist centers where you can get advice on getting to know the islands and rocks of the archipelago. The guides will tell you about the routes available and help you turn what you want into reality.