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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
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Government type:
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NA
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Capital:
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Stanley
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Administrative divisions:
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none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
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Independence:
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none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
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National holiday:
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Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
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Constitution:
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3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998
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Legal system:
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English common law
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); Financial Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA)
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor
elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8; note - 71% voter turnout
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction
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Political parties and leaders:
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none; all independents
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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none
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International organization participation:
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ICFTU
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
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Flag description:
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blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
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