page_title: Outline of the Falkland Islands
section_title: Environment of the Falkland Islands
hierarchical_section_title: Outline of the Falkland Islands / Geography of the Falkland Islands / Environment of the Falkland Islands
context_page_description: The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the Falkland Islands:
  The Falkland Islands are an archipelago located in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 310 miles east of the Patagonian coast at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago which has an area of 4,700 square miles comprises East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 smaller islands. The islands, a British Overseas Territory, enjoy a large degree of internal self-government with the United Kingdom guaranteeing good government and taking responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs.
  The capital is Stanley on East Falkland.
  Controversy exists over the Falklands' original discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times there have been French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements. Britain re-established its rule in 1833, though the islands continue to be claimed by Argentina. In 1982, following Argentina's invasion of the islands, the two-month-long undeclared Falklands War between both countries resulted in the surrender of all Argentine forces and the return of the islands to British administration.
context_section_description: Climate of the Falkland Islands
  Geology of the Falkland Islands
  Wildlife of the Falkland Islands
  Fauna of the Falkland Islands
  Birds of the Falkland Islands
  Mammals of the Falkland Islands
caption: An enlargeable satellite image of the Falkland Islands
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