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Location:
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Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
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Geographic coordinates:
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51 45 S, 59 00 W
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Map references:
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South America
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Area:
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total: 12,173 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
water: 0 sq km
land: 12,173 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Connecticut
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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1,288 km
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Maritime claims:
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continental shelf: 200 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
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Climate:
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cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate
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Terrain:
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rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
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Natural resources:
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fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (1998 est.)
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km
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Natural hazards:
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strong winds persist throughout the year
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Environment - current issues:
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overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster
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Geography - note:
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deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
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