Malvinas Islands: history and photos. Falkland Islands, Falkland Islands Falkland Islands whose were they
The Falkland Islands (Malvinas) are an archipelago in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, 480 km away. east of Argentina. The archipelago consists of two large islands - Soledad (East Falkland) and Gran Malvina (West Falkland), and many (about 200) small ones.
The capital is Port Stanley.
The total area is 12.2 thousand square meters. km.
Climate
Oceanic, cool and uniformly humid. Average annual temperatures do not exceed +10 C, January (summer) - +18 C, July (winter) - +3 C. Precipitation is about 1500 mm. per year, December and January are also the wettest months. Nai best time to visit the islands - from October to April.
Population
About 2.5 thousand people. The population of the archipelago consists mainly of people from british isles and Chile. Language: English, Spanish. Religion - Anglican Christianity.
The time is 7 hours behind Moscow.
Currency unit The Falkland Islands pound (Fb or FlP), pegged to the British pound sterling, which is used on a par with the local currency. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 50, 20, 10 and 5 pounds, coins in denominations of 1 and 2 pounds, as well as 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence. Falkland Islands currency cannot be exchanged anywhere outside the islands. The use of credit cards and traveler's checks is limited but growing. Credit cards Visa, MasterCard and American Express can be cashed at the Upland Goose Hotel, Malvina House Hotel, various shops in Port Stanley and at the Falkland Island Travel Service office. Traveler's checks can be exchanged at Standard Chartered Bank and some commercial banks. To avoid additional costs, it is recommended to take travel checks in pounds sterling. Tips are 5-10% in restaurants and around 50p per day in hotels. In other cases, the amount should be rounded up.
Story
The islands were discovered by Europeans in the 16th century. Possession of Great Britain since 1892. They are disputed territory, which Argentina claims, which resulted in large-scale hostilities between these countries in April 1982. The conflict ended in the defeat of Argentina, but it continues to consider this territory its own. They are governed by a governor who is accountable to the government and the Queen of Great Britain.
Tourist information
Wildlife viewing is the main attraction of the Falkland Islands. Many island birds and marine mammals have already become accustomed to the constant presence of humans and do not pay any attention to the presence of observers. Penguins are the most famous inhabitants of these places, there are five varieties of them and their colonies on the shores of the islands, capes and estuaries are extensive and extremely picturesque. Also very interesting are the large colonies of beautiful black-headed albatross, falcons, hawks and swans, as well as the extensive rookeries of elephant seals and sea lions. Off the coast of the archipelago there are large herds of dolphins and killer whales. Fishing, especially sea trout, mullet and tuna, is another popular pastime here, and the Marell River, which runs almost along the outskirts of Port Stanley, is particularly good for this. The fishing season lasts from September to April, best months for trout fishing - from March to April.
Port Stanley (Stanley or Puerto Argentino) is really little more than a village. Historically, it only gained its political status by being greater than the rest settlements archipelago, size. Since many of its houses were built from stone and timber "rescued" from the wreckage of numerous shipwrecks, the town has a certain charm, emphasized by its brightly painted buildings, traditional English lawns and the constant smell of burning peat carried by the sea breeze. The most “photogenic” object in the city is Government House, which has been the residence of the governor of the islands since the mid-19th century. A mandatory ceremony when visiting is entry into the “visitor register”, a tribute to tradition and the government of the islands. Nearby is Christ Church Cathedral, a massive brick and stone structure with a colorfully painted metal roof and impressive stained glass windows. The building was built in 1892 and now houses a museum and several plaques commemorating Falklands soldiers who died in action in the world wars. In the small square next to the cathedral stands the recently restored Whalebone Arch, erected in 1933 to commemorate the centenary of British rule in the Falkland Islands.
Many visitors come to the islands to visit the sites of the famous armed conflict between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands. This “strange war,” in which both states fought hundreds and thousands of miles from their shores over a tiny piece of land lost in the ocean, still excites the minds of people, forcing them to go almost “to the ends of the earth” to look at the battle sites "live". The battlefields of Green Goose, San Carlos, Fitzroy, Pebble Island, Mount Publedown, Wireless Ridge, Sapper Hill and immediately around Port Stanley still attract thousands of visitors with their war cemeteries and museums.
The "highlight" of island life is the annual summer sports competition, which brings together the islanders who are usually isolated on their isolated farms. Visitors to the islands are eagerly welcomed to take part in these festivities, which traditionally include horse racing, a variety of rodeos and sheepdog competitions. Competitions usually take place in Port Stanley between Christmas and New Year, and in the West Falklands - at the end of February (there is no permanent festival site - the right to host the competition is contested by each settlement in turn).
Port Louis, with its roots as a French colony, is the oldest settlement in the Falkland Islands and as such has some of the oldest buildings on the islands. This is an ivy-covered farm (by the way, still functioning) of the 19th century, the ruins of the residence of the French governor and the estate of Louis Vernet nearby. Port Louis lies in the very depths of Berkeley Sound, the most... big bay in the East Falklands, 35 km. northwest of Port Stanley. The surrounding area of the city is very picturesque and with its green, low mountain slopes reminiscent of the landscape of northern Scotland. Volunteer Beach, located east of Port Louis on the shores of Johnson Harbor, provides excellent habitat for more than 150 breeding pairs of king penguins, the largest colony of king penguins on the islands. A few hours' walk east of the beach, in the Volunteer Point area, there is a large colony of Antarctic fur seals, and in the Volunteer Lacun area - elephant seals. Excursions to these sites can be organized from Port Stanley or by arranging with the local landowner for permission to visit them yourself.
Sea Lion Island, lying east of south coast Falkland is less than a mile in diameter but teems with wildlife. Among its usual inhabitants are five species of penguins, a huge colony of cormorans, giant pigeons and almost tame "Johnny Hands" - so local residents The name is the striped caracara. Hundreds of elephant seals literally fill the sandy and pebble shores of the southern tail of the island. Thanks to the innovative farming practices of local landowners, the island's flora and fauna thrive here, in close proximity to sheep farms, and the island is believed to be the only Falkland island with surviving natural grass cover.
West Falklands (Gran Malvina) is almost the same size as East Falklands, but has only one good road, so traveling around them without using 4WD is almost impossible. There are many small communities and private farms worth visiting, the inhabitants of which are very welcoming to strangers. The real attractions of the West Falklands include the same wildlife sightings and good (but challenging) trekking routes. The island's south-west tip, Port Stephens, is home to thousands of seabirds, while Culm Head offers superb views of the jagged coastline and surrounding ocean. A now-abandoned observation station for a huge colony of penguins makes the long trek across the island to the Albemarle area worth exploring. You can spend the night there and spend some time watching the busy life of the restless “penguin tribe” - they don’t pay the slightest attention to people. For permission to cross farmland here, you should definitely contact local farmers - hiking without their permission is considered bad manners, and simply unsafe due to the rather rugged terrain, replete with obstacles known only to local residents.
Sanders Island, lying north of the west coast of Falkland, is home to the first British garrison in the Falkland Islands, established in 1765. It was the expulsion of this tiny garrison by the Spanish in 1767 that sparked the war between the two countries. After 1774 the Spanish demolished the settlement and all that remains today are a few piers, house foundation blocks and the terraced garden of British Marines. In addition to these ruins, the island boasts large colonies of seabirds (including several species of penguins) and elephant seals.
When visiting the islands, special attention should be paid to horse riding routes. The islanders, like all the British, are well versed in horses and are famous as good riders, so the horses for this kind of “horse trekking” will be chosen beautifully, and the routes are usually laid out in the most picturesque places.
Entry rules A UK visa is required for entry. 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 USA, 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 an application form English language, a 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 air ticket. The processing time for documents is within 24 hours if you contact the embassy directly and 2-4 weeks for postal items. Please note: all visitors to the islands, even nationals of the above countries, must obtain permission to visit Falkland Islands from the Falkland Islands Government Office in London or the nearest British consulate. For tourist travel, permission can be obtained upon arrival from the Falkland Islands Immigration Office (Ross Road, Port Stanley, telephone: 27340; fax: 27342). To obtain a permit, you must have round-trip tickets, proof of sufficient financial funds, and proof of commitment to stay on the island. For all types of travel there is one type of visa costing £5, valid for a period of 6 months from the date of issue 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 travel.
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 grams, alcoholic beverages with a strength of more than 22 degrees - up to 1 liter, with a strength of less than 22 degrees - up to 2 l., perfumes - 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 pop-up 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.
Amazing nature, indescribable landscapes, a cool ocean climate and endless travel opportunities make the Falkland Islands one of the most unusual tourist places on the planet.
Falkland Islands on the 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 advantages 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 on a green meadow, personifying developed agriculture and sheep breeding in particular.
The modern version of the design of the flag of the Falkland Islands at the state level was approved on January 25, 1999. Interestingly, the Argentine government still does not agree that these lands belong to Great Britain. They even have their own version of the Falklands flag - a rectangular piece of orange and blue coloring, which is divided diagonally by snow-white color elements.
Climate features of the Falkland Islands
Cool oceanic weather dominates these lands almost all year round. The temperate climate creates ideal conditions for farming in the Falkland Islands, and tourists who come here for a relaxing holiday can enjoy the fresh ocean breeze without sweltering from the heat. The western wind direction remains almost all year round, so temperature fluctuations are barely noticeable. In January, the average is about 9 degrees Celsius, and in July the air temperature drops slightly and approaches zero - 1-2 degrees plus.
It is never hot on the Falkland Islands, as they are enveloped on all sides by powerful cold currents. 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 much precipitation. The annual average is 574 millimeters. They appear consistently throughout the year, as 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 stays on the surface for long. 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 attractions and activities
Tourists who have already become tired of the hot weather seaside resorts and want to enjoy the unique natural landscapes, they will certainly love a measured and relaxing holiday on the Falkland Islands. Although the area of the archipelago is only slightly more than 12 thousand square kilometers, there is certainly something to see and do in the vast expanses of these overseas possessions of the British state. Almost every city deserves special attention:
- Stanley– the capital of the Falkland Islands looks quite modest and quiet, as for its high-profile status. It could even be confused with a village. Historians note that this was initially the case, but the excellent wide harbor and large population determined the future of this town. Most of the local houses are built of stone in combination with wooden wrecks of ships that were not lucky enough to reach the port unharmed. All this, together with traditional British lawns and vibrant building designs, creates an exceptional and indescribable atmosphere. The city has preserved to this day various buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that are of architectural and historical value. You should definitely visit Cape Pembroke, which offers a beautiful view of the bird colonies, book a boat excursion along the shores and admire the penguins.
- Port Louis- an ancient part of the Falkland Islands, which was a French colony back in the eighteenth century. The blooming green landscapes are very reminiscent of the amazing slopes of northern Scotland. In this part of the archipelago you can see seabirds, penguins and elephant seal rookeries.
- Sea Lion is a miniature island that deserves your attention thanks to its vibrant animal life. This is a favorite spot for elephant seals, who sunbathe on local beach in the warm season. Lovely crested penguins, gulls and dozens of other bird species coexist peacefully next to them.
- West Falkland– an ideal place for a jeep ride. The island's hilly and rocky terrain makes walking excursions very difficult, but by car you'll have an exceptional time here. Friendly residents of picturesque villages and settlements will be happy to tell you the most interesting stories from life, will show you exciting excursion routes and feed you a hearty, aromatic dinner.
- Carcass Island– a paradise for ornithology lovers. Many tourists come here to watch birds in their natural habitat. The nature of these lands will certainly captivate you with its abundance and splendor.
Almost every island of the Falkland archipelago is worthy of attention, but you can hardly visit all 778 in one trip. The Falkland Islands will certainly be remembered by you for their originality, the hospitality of the people and genuine hospitality.
Since the ownership of the islands has not been fully resolved, the use of many Spanish proper names in the Falkland Islands is considered offensive. This particularly applies to names associated with the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentine forces. The commander of British forces in the Falklands conflict, General Sir Jeremy Moore, did not allow the name "Islas Malvinas" to be used in the Argentine surrender document, dismissing it as a propaganda term.
Geography
The Falkland Islands consist of two large ones (West and East Falkland) and about 776 smaller islands and rocks. The archipelago is located 343 km from the Argentine island of Estados, 463 km from the coast 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 islands of West and East Falkland are separated by the Falkland Strait. Highest point archipelago - Mount Usborne (705 m, located on the island of East Falkland), Mount Adam on the island of West Falkland has a height of 700 m. There are no long rivers, however, there are a large number of streams that usually flow into the nearest fjord or bay.
| № | Islands (Russian) |
Islands (English) |
Islands (Spanish) |
Square, km² |
Population, people (2006) |
Density, people/km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barren | Barren Island | Isla Pelada | 11,5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Beaver | Beaver Island | Isla San Rafael | 48,56 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | East Falkland | East Falkland | Isla Soledad | 6605 | 2786 | 0,42 |
| 4 | George | George Island | Isla Jorge | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | West Falkland | West Falkland | Isla Gran Malvina | 4532 | 127 | 0,03 |
| 6 | Karkass | Carcass Island | Isla del Rosario | 18,94 | n/a | |
| 7 | Keppel | Keppel Island | Isla Vigía | 36,26 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Lively | Lively Island | Isla Bougainville | 55,85 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | New Island | New Island | Isla de Goicoechea | 11,81 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Pebble | Pebble Island | Isla Borbón | 103,36 | n/a | |
| 11 | Saunders | Saunders Island | Isla Trinidad | 131,6 | n/a | |
| 12 | Speedwell | Speedwell Island | Isla Aguila | 51,5 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Weddell | Weddell Island | Isla San Jose | 265,8 | n/a |
Climate
The climate of the islands is characterized as cool temperate, oceanic. Western winds predominate. Temperature changes throughout the year are relatively small. Average monthly temperatures vary from +9 °C in January and February to +2 °C in June and July. The average annual temperature is about +5.6 °C. It is influenced by powerful cold currents. One of them - Falkland (Malvinas) - follows from the Falkland Islands to the Gulf of La Plata. Current speed is 1-2 km/h. average temperature water in winter from +4 to +10 °C, in summer from +8 to +15 °C. Carries a large number of icebergs, although icebergs are rare near the islands.
The average annual precipitation is about 574 mm, and precipitation levels are approximately constant throughout the year. The western part of the archipelago is drier than the eastern. Thus, the precipitation level in Port Stanley, on the east coast, is about 630 mm, while in the far west of the Falkland Islands it is only about 430 mm. In winter, precipitation may fall in the form of snow, but it is only temporary and does not create 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 Patagonian flora and fauna. The only native land mammal of the archipelago was the Falkland fox (exterminated in the mid-19th century with the beginning of mass colonization). 14 species of marine mammals live in coastal waters. A large number of seabirds nest on the islands (more than 60 species), among them it is worth noting the black-browed albatross, 60% of whose nesting sites are located on the Falkland Islands. In addition, 5 species of penguins nest on the archipelago. There are no species of reptiles or amphibians living on the islands. About 200 species of insects have been recorded, 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 about many species, the proportion of endemics is probably much more significant. IN fresh waters The archipelago is home to 6 species of fish.
The vegetation of the archipelago is represented by cereal meadows and heather heaths. 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 changed during colonization. Today, almost the entire territory of the islands is used as pasture for sheep. Introduced plant and animal species cause damage to local flora and fauna.
Story
Europeans did not find an indigenous population on the islands, but in ancient times they could have been visited by Fuegians. In the second half of the 19th century, tools and traces of a settlement left by the sea tribe of the Yagans from Tierra del Fuego were discovered on the islands of the Keppel and Pebble archipelago.
Officially, the islands were 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 changed hands several times.
However, despite this, until 1834 the Falkland Islands were essentially 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 in 1842, and before that the head of the islands was the so-called resident naval officer(eng. resident naval officer). The British Royal Navy subsequently built a military base in the Falklands at Port Stanley, and the islands became a strategic 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 lanes in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Vice Admiral von Spee led the squadron's march (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 off Cape Coronel, he defeated an English squadron of cruisers.
Having completed the task of distracting significant forces of the English fleet, the German squadron received orders to break through back to Germany. Not knowing the location of the English ships, Spee decided to strike the English naval base of Port Stanley on the Falkland Islands, where the English squadron was located (1 battleship, 2 battleships, 3 armored cruisers and 2 light cruisers). Having encountered unexpectedly strong resistance, Spee tried to leave, but the English ships overtook him. Spee ordered light cruisers and transports to leave in different directions. They were pursued by British armored and light cruisers, and the battlecruisers engaged in battle with the German armored cruisers and sank them. 2 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 freed from the need to allocate significant forces to secondary theaters of war, and the German command lost a strong cruising squadron. Spee himself died on the flagship cruiser Scharnhorst.
Mid-20th century
The question of the territorial affiliation 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 other countries its rights to the archipelago: when signing the UN Charter in 1945, Argentina declared that it retained the rights to own the Falkland Islands and the right to get them back. Britain responded to the effect that the islanders should vote to secede from the UK 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 took place between British and Argentine representatives, but they did not lead to any clear solution to the Falklands issue. The stumbling block in the negotiations was the fact that the islands' population of 2,000, mostly of British origin, preferred that they remain British territory.
Anglo-Argentine conflict
The islands host British military bases - an air force base "Mount Pleasant" And naval base "Mayor Harbor".
Relations between the UK and Argentina became strained again after British companies began developing offshore oil fields near the islands in 2010. In the spring of 2012, the Argentine authorities announced that they intended to file a lawsuit against companies involved in oil and gas exploration in areas near the islands, such as Rockhopper Exploration, Falkland Oil & Gas, etc. After this, Great Britain increased its military presence in the region, strengthening the fleet with the newest destroyer Dauntless and the Trafalgar-class submarine, and also pointedly sending Prince William there on a six-week business trip.
Soon after, Argentina protested the militarization of the islands, but on February 8, 2012, the UK denied these accusations.
“We are not militarizing the South Atlantic. Our defensive strategy in the Falkland Islands remains unchanged. The people of the Falklands choose British citizenship. Its right to self-determination is enshrined in the UN Charter,” said the press service of British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Population
The population of the Falkland Islands is 3,200 according to the 2016 census. (in 2012 - 2840, in 2008 - 3140 people. According to the 2012 census, most of the population (94.7% or 2691 people) live on the island of East Falkland, 4.5% or 127 people - on the island of West Falkland and 0.8% or 22 people live on other islands of the archipelago. Port Stanley is home to 2,120 people (71.57% of the population of the archipelago).
The language of the majority of the population is English; Spanish is also common (12%). About 2% of the population speaks English poorly or does not speak this language at all. 66% of the archipelago's population professes Christianity, 32% declared no religion, and about 2% profess other religions. Most of the population (1/2) are descendants of Scottish, English, Chilean settlers, some are also recent immigrants from Great Britain (27%), St. Helena (10%), Chile (6%), France, Germany and other countries) . IN last years the government is taking measures to develop the islands at the expense of immigrants from “new” countries. Thus, the 2016 census recorded 72 people. from Zimbabwe, 53 people. from the Philippines and 12 people. from Peru. As a result, the population of the islands became even more “variegated”. The share of the non-white population (African, Asian, Indian origin) increased to 15-20%.
The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory archipelago in the southwest Atlantic Ocean near . In the archipelago there are two big islands West Falkland and East Falkland. The capital is Port Stanley.
Climate of the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands have a cold oceanic climate. The warmest time is January and February with temperatures of about 19 degrees Celsius, in July and August 2 degrees Celsius. The rainy season occurs in December and January. The best time to go to the islands is from October to March.
Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands, or Malvinas Islands in Spanish, are a true archipelago that lies near the southern tip of South America, a British overseas territory. Argentina still claims the Falkland Islands, which believes that it is part of Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica. The Falkland Islands are named after the Falkland Strait, which separates the two main islands of the archipelago.
Geography of the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are two of the most large islands Eastern and Western, as well as 776 small islands and rocks scattered in the surrounding area. The coast of South America is 463 kilometers, the island of Estados is 343 kilometers, and the South Georgia station is 1,078 kilometers. The area of the archipelago is about 12,173 square kilometers, the coastline is 1,300 kilometers, but the coast is very indented, and there are no strips of beaches as such. The most high mountain Adam has a height of 705 meters and is located on the East Island. Small streams flow down from the mountains, big rivers No.
Flora and fauna of the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an Antarctic ecozone, animal world similar to what can be observed in Patagonia in Chile. A large number of birds nest on the rocks, about 60 species, but the black-browed albatross stands out here; more than half of the nesting sites in the world are located on the Falkland Islands. Note that there are no reptiles or amphibians here. The vegetation on the archipelago is very sparse, with many ferns and flowering plants. Almost all of the island's meadows are used for livestock farming, and these are pastures for sheep.
History of the Falkland Islands
The Englishman John Davis discovered the Falkland Islands in 1592, at that time the islands were uninhabited, Spanish navigators claim the right to discover the islands, territorial disputes are still ongoing between Argentina and Great Britain, Argentina does not recognize the British Falkland Islands at all. In 1763 to 1765, the islands were explored by the Frenchman Louis Antoine de Bougainville, he also founded the first settlement here on the Eastern Island, the first city was called Port Saint-Louis, today simply Port Louis, it’s funny that in 1765 the British navigator John Byron explored one from the islands of the Saunders archipelago and personally annexed it to Britain, soon the first English settlement appeared in Port Egmont Bay, at the same time Spain bought all their possessions from the French, in 1770 the Spaniards attacked the English Port Egmont, defeated them and drove them out from the island, in 1771, after a short conflict, Great Britain and Spain concluded a peace treaty, which allowed the British to return to their possessions.
In 1774, Britain could not afford to remain on the island as the American Revolutionary War was approaching, with Britain gradually losing much more territory. From 1776 until 1811, only Spanish or Argentine rule remained in the Falkland Islands, but in 1811 the Spanish also abandoned the island. But a good place It will never remain empty for long; already in 1828, the merchant Louis Vernet from France founded a French settlement here, although with the permission of Spain and Britain, the entrepreneur was engaged in seal fishing. In 1832, Argentina wanted to make a prison out of the Falkland Islands, but the newly arrived governor was killed by local residents, the following year the British landed on the island and notified the Argentines of their rights, the struggle for English influence continued for the next decade and already in 1842 military base in Port Stanley. During the First World War, a battle took place off the coast of the archipelago between German and British ships, and during the Second World War, Port Stanley served as a repair plant for the British fleet, which was being restored after the Battle of La Plata. In 1945, Argentina, within the framework of the UN, tried to take the islands away from Britain, Great Britain itself stated that the main population, and these are 2000 people on the Falkland Islands, are British who will not want to go over to the side of Argentina, in fact, and the subsequent referendum confirmed this point of view, local residents want to stay with Britain. In 1982, a conflict occurred between these two countries, Argentina decided with courage and attacked the islands, Great Britain sent its naval forces to the archipelago, as a result, Argentina was defeated, today the Falkland Islands are the subject of a territorial dispute between Argentina and Great Britain.
The British Overseas Territory was confirmed by a referendum held in 2013, 99.3% of the population was in favor of joining the UK, only three people were against, 1,517 of the 1,672 residents of the islands took part in the vote. Great Britain maintains its power on the islands with its military bases, these are the Mount Pleasant air force base and the Mare Harbor naval base.
Argentina did not like it in 2012 when Great Britain began searching for oil deposits here. Argentina threatened to sue companies that participate in oil exploration, after which Great Britain further increased its military presence in the region. Argentina's arguments are that Great Britain is militarizing the South Atlantic, and Great Britain's is that it is protecting the rights of the local population to choose British citizenship, these rights are enshrined in UN documents.
Population of the Falkland Islands
Today the population of the Falkland Islands is 2840 people, this is according to the 2012 census, and in 2008 the census showed a population of 3140 people, 94% of the population lives on the East Island, 4.5% on the West Island and another 22 people on other islands. Port Stanley has a population of 2,120 people, which is 71.57% of the total population of the Falkland Islands. Note that already in the 1930s, an average of 2,300 people lived on the Falkland Islands, however, starting from the 1970s, the population began to decrease, young people left the archipelago in search of more modern work, where they could make their career, note that there are only high school, local youth can receive higher education in the UK, and such training is paid for from the budget of the Falkland Islands. The majority of the population on the islands are descendants of the French, Gibraltarians and Scandinavians, a third of the inhabitants were born on the archipelago, the rest are foreign visitors who were able to acclimatize here. The lack of a modern way of life and the cold climate are the main problem of life on the Falkland Islands; the vast majority of those who left the archipelago headed to the British city of Southampton, which became known here as North Stanley. Today, immigration from the island has stabilized somewhat, and the population has not declined as much, thanks to return migration from the UK, also from Chile and St. Helena. In the census, 29% said their nationality was Falkland Islander, 29% English, 9.8% St Helena, 5.4% Chilean, less than one percent Argentinian. As of 2012, 12 Russians were registered in the Falkland Islands.
The Falkland Islands have one of the lowest population densities in the world, and the census does not take into account the number of military personnel on military bases and their families, who in addition make up 1,300 military personnel and 50 civilians in the Ministry of Defense. The town of Stanley is the most populous place in the archipelago, followed by Mount Pleasant, which has 369 inhabitants and is a major air base. The age distribution of the islands is skewed towards working age 20-60 years. Men outnumber women, 53 to 47 percent. In all likelihood, high school graduates who want to go to the UK to study are unlikely to agree to live in such harsh classes; young men will be more inclined to stay at home and continue the traditions of, for example, their father’s fishing.
Religion in the Falkland Islands
67.2% of the population are Christians, 31.5% have no religious affiliation, 1.3% are adherents of other religious denominations.
Education in the Falkland Islands
According to local legislation, compulsory secondary education has been adopted for residents aged 5 to 16 years. There are schools only in the city of Stanley, there is both a primary and secondary school; after finishing school, children can go to the UK and continue to receive higher education there.
Language in the Falkland Islands
The majority of the population speaks exclusively English, with a noticeable British accent, another 12% can speak Spanish, 0.6% German, 0.5% French, 2% of the island's population speaks poor English.
Falkland Islands culture
The Falkland Islands have always been under English and Spanish influence; today one can observe a mixture of English and Latin American culture; some terms and place names have retained the Spanish names of the former Gaucho inhabitants. Two newspapers, Teaberry Express and The Penguin News, are published on the islands, and English television and radio are received.
Local cuisine is still more similar to English with the influence of seafood, local garden vegetables are widely used, lamb, mutton, beef and fish are always on the table. For dessert, homemade cakes and cookies with tea are traditionally prepared.
Restaurants and cafes in the Falkland Islands
In the town of Stanley there are 8 bars and 2 restaurants, they are always open when tourists arrive. cruise ships, the menu is exclusively traditionally English, dark Guinness beer is served. Lunch can cost just over £10 per person.
Phone numbers and addresses in the Falkland Islands
The emergency telephone number is 999, the Stanley police telephone number is 27-222, and an ambulance can be called by calling 28-042. Telephone tourist office 22-215, telephone information 100.
Time and time zones in the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are in the GMT/UTC -4 time zone, which means that summer time Moscow is 7 hours longer, in winter it is 6 hours longer, meaning that time is moved forward an hour on the 1st Sunday in September, and returned back to the 3rd Sunday in April.
Tourism in the Falkland Islands
About 8,000 foreign tourists fly to the Falkland Islands every year, half of them stay for at least one night in one of the local hotels, the tourism sector annually brings in up to 8 million euros per year to the Falkland Islands. Half of the tourists are British, the rest are from South and North America and Western Europe. But most tourists come to the islands for cruise ships, the average figure is 35,000 people annually. As you understand, from the point of view of the local economy, tourists who fly to the islands by plane are more profitable, since they almost certainly stay in local hotels and receive additional services.
The main flow of tourists comes from the UK and South American countries; tourists are interested in Antarctic exploration, wild animals and natural beauty, fishing and diving are well developed. The Falkland Islands are part of an excursion to Patagonia.
Many tourists visit the Falkland Islands on a cruise on board a large sea liner, in which case a visa is not required. Citizens of Russia or Ukraine who fly to the Falkland Islands by plane must have a visa with them; it is issued at British consulates and embassies.
Currency can be imported and exported from the Falkland Islands in unlimited quantities, but it is better to declare amounts over $10,000 in writing, this does not apply to amounts on credit cards. Without paying duty, you can bring up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos, 250 grams of tobacco.
Medicine and treatment in the Falkland Islands
The level of medicine in the Falkland Islands is English; in the town of Stanley there is the only hospital where you can get at least first aid; more serious treatment is usually provided on the mainland, in Chile or the UK, where seriously ill patients are evacuated. First aid in the Falkland Islands is provided free of charge, further treatment is subject to insurance, all tourists who come to the Falkland Islands always have international insurance and there are no problems with this matter. There is a pharmacy at the hospital; many medications are sold by prescription only.
Natural hazards in the Falkland Islands
There is no need to get any vaccinations before traveling to the Falkland Islands, however, there have been cases of yellow fever on the island, and a tetanus vaccination can also be recommended.
After the 1982 war, when Argentina attacked the Falkland Islands, anti-personnel mines were laid, and where mine clearance work had not been carried out, information signs were installed: beware of bombs. For this reason, it is not recommended to walk anywhere. In the Falkland Islands there are always very strong winds. strong winds As a rule, tourists visit the archipelago on one tourist trip to Patagonia and Antarctica, so they take special clothing that could protect them from rain, wind, and low temperatures in extreme conditions, and they also take shoes with studded soles for rough terrain on the trip.
From August to December, the Falkland Islands may fall into the zone of action of the ozone hole over Antarctica, when solar radiation is high, it is recommended to hide from direct sunlight during this time, and it makes no difference whether the weather is sunny or cloudy.
You can expect anything from the fauna of the Falkland Islands, for this reason there is a rule that prohibits approaching any animals at a distance closer than 6 meters; if penguins are still safe, this cannot always be said about elephant seals, lions and seals.
Entertainment
Stanley has several pubs and bars where sailors gather in the evenings, and especially on Fridays, to sit with a glass of beer. .
Economy of the Falkland Islands
Until the 1870s, the island's housekeeper was engaged in whale hunting, and then in sheep farming. Today there are also food industry enterprises, a fish processing plant, agriculture, again with sheep farming, tourism is also developed. 60% of the sheep herds are located on the East Island, the rest on the West Island, and slaughterhouses on the East Island. The wool is exported to the UK. In recent years, oil exploration has been successful and wells are being drilled offshore the Falkland Islands. We also note that there is a NATO nuclear military base in the South Atlantic here, according to statements by the Argentine government, but the British themselves deny this.
Wool, hides, venison, fish and squid are exported, fuel, building materials, clothing, electronics, various goods and food are imported.
Falkland Islands GDP
The Falkland Islands' GDP in terms of size is in 222nd place among 229 countries in the world, but with this GDP per capita it is already in a very high 10th place in the world. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, the island is characterized by a high human development index, despite the fact that there are no universities or universities at all. Today, the basis of the economy is fishing, maintenance of military bases and sheep breeding; the budget also receives income from the sale of fishing licenses in the surrounding waters; in recent years, the share of international tourism has increased, with the prospect of large income from oil production. The port city of Stanley is the basis of the local economy; they are now betting on oil exploration and production, as Lately the risks associated with issuing fishing licenses have increased. Sports and education are financed exclusively from the local budget; UK assistance is not needed. A quarter of the island's total population are civil servants, 10% are employed in agriculture, and the rest in fishing.
The local Falkland pound is pegged to the British pound.
Falkland Islands Transport
Active construction of roads in the Falkland Islands began only in 1982, until that moment there were roads only in the city of Port Stanley, 48 kilometers from the city there is also an international civil airport, all the rest, as you understand, are military air bases. There is a port in Port Stanley, as the name suggests, and a second port in Fox Bay (West Falkland). Move from Western to East Island possible using ferry crossing. Between cities and within cities there is no public transport, there are no buses, you can get around by personal car, bicycle or taxi, which must be ordered by phone.
Internet and cellular communications in the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are Great Britain, and today it’s already the 21st century, don’t forget about it. Coating mobile communications on the main islands of the archipelago 100%. Your mobile phone will immediately be connected to your local carrier and connected, however, Internet access will be very expensive due to roaming tariffs, publishing photos and videos on social networks will cost a pretty penny, so we can recommend using wireless Internet in cafes, bars and restaurants in Stanley. Also in the Falkland Islands, satellite communication devices are in demand in stores, and they can be rented inexpensively for a time.
Telephone communication in the Falkland Islands was established a long time ago; traditional London red telephone boxes can be seen everywhere on the streets of Stanley; payment is made using telephone cards, which can be bought at the post office.
Calls within the Falkland Islands cost 0.08 FKP per minute, calls abroad cost about one pound per minute. The international country code is 500; to call abroad from the Falkland Islands you must dial two zeros, then the country code.
Attractions of the Falkland Islands
The capital Port Stanley is located in the east of the island of Soledad, it is a small port with colorful buildings of a maximum of two-story wooden houses. The city's population is about 2,000 people, the largest building is the governor's house and Christ Church.
The city of Port Louis is very picturesque and is located in Berkeley Sound, 30 kilometers from the capital, nearby is Volantir Beach, where penguins, not people, actually relax.
January 3rd, 2013
Reading today's news: Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner sent an open letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron calling on him to begin negotiations on the return of the Falkland Islands to Argentina, the Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.
The letter marks the 180th anniversary of the annexation of the Falklands, located off the coast of Argentina. Kirchner uses the Spanish name for the islands and claims that “as a result of British colonial policy, the Malvinas Islands were taken by force from Argentina,” which, in her opinion, dealt a blow to the territorial integrity of the country. The President relies on the fact that in 1965 the UN General Assembly "unanimously, without a single vote against, adopted a resolution recognizing the annexation of the Malvinas Islands as a result of British colonialism and calling on countries to reach a negotiated solution to the territorial dispute."
The Argentine cruiser General Belgrano sinks after being hit by a torpedo from the British nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror, May 1, 1982. Argentine and Chilean ships managed to rescue 770 people, while 323 were killed. (AP Photo)
In response to a letter, a copy of which was sent to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, David Cameron said that on this issue “the majority of the three thousand population of the Falklands supports Britain.” A referendum planned for March this year will decide whether the Falklands will remain a British overseas territory. Cameron assured that Britain would “respect and protect” the interests of the local population. Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly Barry Elsby supported the Prime Minister, saying that being British is the choice of Falklanders. Argentina also accuses Britain of expelling its citizens from the islands; the other side denies such accusations.
The Falkland Islands (Malvinas), 14 thousand kilometers away from Britain, are actually the gateway to Antarctica, giving control over the extremely rich natural resources ocean areas. Disputes between Argentina and Great Britain over the ownership of the islands began at the beginning of the 19th century, when the first British settlers appeared on the islands. The fighting between Great Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands began on April 2, 1982, lasted 74 days and ended in victory for the British crown. British oil companies unilaterally began exploration for oil fields near the archipelago in 2010, escalating the conflict.
Argentine soldiers make military supplies shortly after the invasion of the Falkland Islands, April 13, 1982. (Daniel Garcia/AFP/Getty Images)
What actually caused the conflict? It would not be a big mistake to say that it owes its origin to the play of great political ambitions. In Argentina, another paramilitary regime came to power with election slogans and nationalist promises, among which was the return of the Malvinas (disputed territory).
Militarily, the regime felt confident: the recently acquired French aircraft carrier as part of its air wing contained not only Skyhawks with bombs, but also the latest French Super-Etandars with Exocet anti-ship missiles, capable of, without entering the air defense zone of a detachment of warships, inflict a serious defeat on him. Destroyers (EM) and guided missile frigates (FR URO) were ready to develop the success of aviation. The Argentine combat aviation group numbered up to 200 units. Crew preparedness has traditionally had a high reputation. All this looked solid and could not help but encourage the Argentine strategists to “tickle” old England.
At this time, the military-political leadership of Great Britain sought to improve the strategic nuclear forces based on Trident missiles at the expense of the Navy. Because of this, the fleet is barely making ends meet; in 1982, both operating aircraft carriers, several ships of the main class, the most important elements of infrastructure, and a significant part of the personnel were cut. Even without that, the position of the “Mistress of the Seas” did not look convincing in comparison with France, and in a number of positions (in terms of the quality and quantity of surface ships of the main class) - even with Japan. In this regard, the leadership of the military department did not find it possible either to defend, much less to conquer the Falklands back. There is no doubt that these difficulties and sentiments in Great Britain were known to the Argentine side. Nevertheless, in April 1982, a solid contingent of British troops landed on the archipelago with light attack aircraft and helicopters. At the same time, the British also captured South Georgia.
Gunsmiths prepare torpedoes on the British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes while Sea King helicopters watch for possible Argentine submarines, May 26, 1982. (AFP/Getty Images)
The archipelago was located less than 400 miles from the Argentine mainland, while it was 8,000 miles away from the metropolis. The Antarctic winter was approaching, no more than two months remained before its onset. In a word, not the best time and place for military operations or even ordinary navigation. But, despite the unsuitable conditions, the First Sea Lord of Great Britain, Admiral Henry Leach, requested permission from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to begin forming a task force (TF) to be sent to the South Atlantic.
The British ships had to travel 6,000-8,000 miles to areas completely devoid of any signs of a coastal base. Approximately in the middle of the deployment route was the last piece of land used as a rear base - Ascension Island. Here the main forces of the 317th OS of the Royal Navy were assembled, after which Rear Admiral John Woodward reported to the commander of the Navy, Admiral J. Fieldhouse, who headed the specially created headquarters, the decision for the operation, subsequently known as “Corporate”. At the same time, planning, briefings on all types of databases, support, briefings, orientation, preliminary assignment of tasks to the forces, and final acceptance of supplies while stationed at the roadstead were carried out. Further all work took place in open ocean usually on the go.
A British soldier checks the area with binoculars while an anti-missile battery is positioned next to him in case of an air attack, May 25, 1982. (AFP/Getty Images)
On April 18, the fleet continued its deployment. Admiral Fieldhouse will fly to London to defend at the highest level the plan of operation adopted near the “front line”, defending every point of it, without which it is impossible to control the war taking place 8,000 miles from the Admiralty.
The basis of the design of the OS commander's decision was that all actions, including the capture of the Falkland Islands, must be completed no later than mid-June. Later, hydrometeorological conditions were incompatible not only with maintaining a database, but also simply with the presence of ships and aircraft in these waters providing fire support and providing forces on shore. By counting down, taking the minimum required time for landing operations on the shore, the deadline for the start of the landing was determined as May 20-21.
In the same way, the timing of the arrival of the British OS on the theater of operations (in the general exclusive zone) on May 1 was determined to gain supremacy at sea and air superiority.
The first shots of this war were fired, and the loss count opened on the island of South Georgia, where a specially designated tactical group of ships disabled and captured the Argentine submarine Santa Fe and raised the British flag.
The completion of the deployment is marked by a series of air strikes on Port Stanley and Goose Green airfields. First, the Vulcan strategic bomber from Ascension Island bombed Port Stanley from a high altitude on the night of May 1. The deck-based Sea Harriers developed success at dawn. At this time, surface ships were shelling coastal targets and conducting a control search for enemy submarines. In the ensuing air battles, Argentine aviation had an almost 10-fold superiority, but the British Sea Harriers were more effective than the Sidewinders in service with the Argentine Air Force. The main task of the first day was the secret landing of a special forces task force to reconnoiter enemy positions and select a location for the future landing.
The struggle for supremacy at sea unfolded according to classical canons and with great severity. The Argentine fleet, having completed its combat deployment in advance, covered in its battle formation the arriving British forces from two sides - from the northeast and from the southwest. The massive use of shore-based aircraft was also envisaged as diversionary and supporting strikes.
British submarines were unable to detect enemy surface ships. When the Conqueror submarine finally discovers the Argentine cruiser, problems begin due to the imperfect control of the submarine, as well as the difficulty of tracking surface ships in shallow water. Still, the Argentine cruiser as a result torpedo attack was sunk.
It is generally accepted that it was the loss of the cruiser that forced the Argentine command to return the fleet to its bases. In fact, the Argentine sailors were burning with a thirst for revenge, but the weather prevented them from delivering a fatal blow to the English OS. The Argentine fleet has returned to base and more territorial waters didn't leave.
Thick smoke rises from the British frigate HMS Antelope in Ajax Bay, May 24, 1982. Four Argentine A-4B Skyhawks attacked a British frigate the day before. During the attack, a bomb was dropped on the ship, which British technicians tried unsuccessfully to defuse. It exploded, causing a fire and killing 2 crew members. (AP Photo/Tom Smith)
Formally, the struggle for supremacy at sea could be considered over at this point, but the bitterness in the confrontation of forces does not subside. Argentine strike aviation comes to the fore, and the English fleet begins to suffer significant losses. The destroyer Sheffield can be considered lost due to the bungling of its command. While on air defense-missile defense patrol, the radar was turned off, readiness was reduced, the ship did not maintain a watch in the information exchange and warning networks in order to obtain good quality radio communications with London. As a result, the Argentines shot him with cruise missiles from low-flying Etanders. After 10 days, the same type “Glasgow”, which survived that attack and showed its best side, was seriously damaged. After this, the OS command began to have doubts about the effectiveness of their best air defense systems, Sea Dart and Sea Wolf.
Judging by the losses, the maximum intensity of the combat missions is reached with the beginning of the landing, because it was far from gaining air superiority and the problem was solved by simply “grinding” the Argentine aviation, rushing to the landing area and anchorage landing ships and transports.
An Argentine soldier walks past the wreckage of a downed British warplane in Darwin. (Reuters/Eduardo Farre)
The landing itself on May 21 went smoothly and without losses, but by May 25 the total number of British ships sunk reached four, almost all other ships had multiple battle damage. The price is quite high, although it was possible to preserve all the landing and transport ships, especially those with landing forces, as well as aircraft carriers. The losses were also due to the ineffectiveness of the Rapier air defense system. The losses of the British in naval personnel here could have been incomparably more severe if the Argentine air command had shown more skill and enterprise in managing forces.
At the same time, this air offensive in the anti-landing direction, as well as previous combat operations in the air, cost the Argentine Air Force and Navy at least a third of all combat-ready aircraft and the loss of the most experienced pilots. It is at this moment that the command of the Argentine Air Force recognizes its air force as undermined, and such a price for the Falklands as unacceptable. When leaving, the Argentine aviation, as they say, loudly slammed the door.
We are talking about the defeat of the Atlantic Conveyor container ship converted into air transport. In a well-planned raid by the Argentine Super Etandars, timed to coincide with the Argentine national holiday, a container ship with a radar signature similar to the Hermes took on the blow of two Exocets. One missile immediately aimed at it, the second, being withdrawn from the Hermes, also aimed at the container ship and finished it off. The ship was packed to capacity with the most valuable cargo for the expeditionary forces: three heavy Chinook helicopters, five Wessexes, a solid supply of cluster bombs for Harriers, equipment for quickly creating a runway in Carlos Bay, a huge number of spare parts for helicopters, supplies and equipment. In addition, the container ship, being specially converted according to the mobilization plan, served as the third flight deck in the OS.
However, the bridgehead had already been captured, troops and equipment were on the shore, as for the loss of the Atlantic Conveyor, it was an unpleasant, but not a defining moment. The aircraft carriers were preserved - and this is the main thing. Despite the delays, the actions of the British troops on the shore developed successfully, and by mid-June the enemy capitulated.
Argentine soldiers take positions in Port Howard. (Reuters/Eduardo Farre)
The Falklands War takes unique place in military-political history. During the relatively short period of the crisis (74 days), the opposing sides waged a fierce struggle in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean using the most modern weapons and a large number of troops and equipment. In total, up to 60 thousand personnel, over 180 ships and vessels, 350 combat aircraft and helicopters took part in the hostilities on both sides. Moreover, the warring parties had to literally “on the fly” adapt to the conditions of the war, because Even Argentina never seriously prepared for a possible war over the Malvinas, let alone Great Britain. However, a miracle did not happen: the regional “superpower” was unable to defeat one of the leading world powers. Although the Argentines and the war itself presented the British with a number of unpleasant surprises. In the end, “this nasty little war,” as some in Britain called it, turned out to be very bloody and difficult. As Admiral Sir John Woodward noted: “Someone has heard that in Ulster, Malaya, Korea, Kenya, etc. it was much worse, there losses reached up to eight hundred people, while in the Falklands War in 1982 they died two hundred and fifty British. But the difference is that we lost these two hundred and fifty men in six weeks, and not in many years. During this time I lost almost half of my destroyers and frigates. And the loss of life was ten times greater than in all our armed forces (apparently this means the Navy) since the Second World War."
Even after two decades, there is no complete clarity about the losses of Great Britain and Argentina. We are not talking about absolute accuracy - it would be nice to at least determine the order of losses.
A frigate sprays water on the damaged HMS Sheffield, 28 May 1982. At this time, a Sea King helicopter hovers in the air, ensuring safety. Two Argentine Super Etendard attack aircraft attacked the ship with missiles, starting a fire that lasted for several days until HMS Sheffield completely sank, killing 20 people. (AP Photo/Press Association/Martin Cleaver)
On May 27, the UK Ministry of Defense reported that 109 people had died by that date. The Argentines admitted the loss of only 92, although three times as many died on the Belgrano alone. At the end of the war the British stated the following figures: about 200 British were killed and about 300 wounded. The Argentine armed forces lost about 1,300 people killed. Subsequently, the losses of the British “increased”, while those of the Argentines “decreased” accordingly.
There was a figure of 230-236 dead British, incl. 120 in the ground forces, the number of dead Argentines is estimated at 750 people and this number has been “fixed” in all Western sources. Then the “final” number of British deaths was given as 250 people, more precisely 255-256 people, including: the Royal Navy lost eighty-seven people, the Royal Marines - twenty-six, the merchant fleet - nine and the Royal Auxiliary Fleet - seven.
15-20 years after the war, 258 people were declared dead by Great Britain, incl. 3 islanders. The maximum number of British casualties I encountered was 286.
Argentine prisoners of war walk past a burning building in Port Stanley during the final days of the Argentine occupation of the southern islands. (AP Photo/J. Leonard)
Argentine losses are sometimes estimated at both 712 and 700 people killed; there were figures of 690 killed and 176 wounded, but the official Argentine figure is 655 dead.
Complete statistics on losses in manpower and equipment
The Falklands War was literally a gift for Prime Minister Thatcher. Or rather, not the war itself, but its result. In the early 1980s, the British economy was in a fever, and victory in the war greatly strengthened Thatcher's popularity and allowed her to remain in power until 1990. The war was no less a gift for the military: defense spending increased sharply. There was a decisive abandonment of the previous military doctrine, thanks to which, if Argentina had attacked in 1983, Britain would have lost the war. The carriers would have been sold, the massive cuts already beginning in November 1981 and peaking in the spring of 1982 would have left the Royal Navy unable to win the battle for the Falklands. At least that's how it really happened.
Immediately after the war, the government abdicated responsibility for the timely outbreak of the war. On 6 July 1982, Lord Franke was appointed chairman of a select committee of the Privy Council to investigate the reasons for the armed invasion of the Falkland Islands. On 18 January 1983, the Franks Report was published, exonerating Margaret Thatcher's government of responsibility for the Argentine military junta's decision to invade the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982.
Another echo of the war in the South Atlantic was the process of disclosing documents shedding light on the events of May 2, 1982. 11 February 1985 Former British Ministry of Defense employee Clive Ponting is acquitted by a court considering the disclosure of the contents of documents related to the sinking of the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano during the Falklands War.
Argentine prisoners of war in Port Stanley, 17 June 1982. By the end of the conflict, more than 11 thousand Argentines were captured.
The war had much more serious consequences on Argentina. Already on June 17/18, 1982, General Galtieri resigned. A political crisis begins in the country. But on July 1, 1982, General Benito Renaldo Bignone (Bignone, Reynaldo Benito) became the head of the fourth and last military government of Argentina.
Unable to stop the political and economic crisis in the country, the general began to prepare for the departure of the military and destroy all evidence of repression, as well as demand an amnesty from the democratic forces for all war crimes.
Raul Alfonsin became the first democratic president of Argentina in many years. He began trials of the military, almost all the highest ranks received prison terms. But the army was not going to give up: the first uprising against President Alfonsin was raised by Colonel Aldo Rico, a participant in the Falklands War, on April 15, 1985 at a military base in Campo Mayo. Although the instigators of the riot were arrested, the military managed to achieve a law according to which all persons involved in repression, below the rank of colonel, were declared “executing orders.” The concessions provoked the military into new actions. As soon as Aldo Rico found himself under house arrest, he immediately started a new riot in mid-January 1988. On January 17, Rico surrendered, but they treated him quite leniently: a sentence with the ability to communicate by phone and good conditions of detention. The uprising in December 1988 ended with an increase in military salaries and no one was even arrested.
Finally, the new President of Argentina, Carlos Menema, will sign an amnesty order on October 5, 1989, and many generals will be free. The uprising on December 3, 1990 was suppressed, but Menema signed a general amnesty on December 29, 1990.
On July 11, 1982, Argentina, and the next day Great Britain, de facto declared the end of the war. About 5 thousand British soldiers were left on the islands. 27 June 1983 The British Secretary of State for Defense announces £215 million for the construction of an airport in the Falkland Islands.
In October 1989, consular relations were restored between Great Britain and Argentina, and since February 1990, diplomatic relations have been fully established.
Mass grave of 30 Argentine soldiers after the Battle of Darwin. On June 14, 1982, Argentine troops left the island after being defeated by the British. (AP Photo/Martin Cleaver)
27 September 1995 Great Britain and Argentina enter into an agreement to develop oil and gas fields in the South Atlantic southwest of the Falkland Islands. Supervision over the extraction of mineral resources is entrusted to a joint commission.
The conflict flared up with renewed vigor when huge raw material deposits were discovered in the disputed area. Oil reserves are estimated at 60 billion barrels of oil, and natural gas reserves at 9 trillion cubic meters. In February 2010, British oil companies began exploration and production of oil from the Ocean Guardian floating drilling platform, located 100 km north of the islands. This caused a wave of protest from Argentina and economic response on its part.
Argentine Falklands War veteran José Luis Aparacio holds a photograph of himself (right) and a comrade (left) after they were captured by British troops at the Battle of Mount Longdon on June 12, 1982. The photo above was taken in La Plata, Argentina, March 20, 2007. (Reuters/Enrique Marcarian)
Among the latter is the December decision of the countries of the South American Common Market (MERCOSUR) to ban ships flying the flag of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) from entering their ports.
Shortly after this, on January 19, British Prime Minister David Cameron accused Argentina of colonialism in the Falkland Islands, to which Buenos Aires indignantly stated that the words about “colonialism” from the lips of the British sounded especially offensive, since “history perfectly demonstrates their attitude towards everything world" (today, about 50 of the approximately 200 countries in the world annually celebrate the day of independence from British rule). At the same time, Cameron approved an urgent plan to strengthen the country's military forces.
sources
http://nvo.ng.ru
http://historiwars.narod.ru
http://m.ria.ru/world/20130103/917061244.html
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And I also want to remind you how as a result of the war.
