The Falkland Islands (/ˈfɔːlklənd/) is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 300 miles (483 kilometers) east of South America‘s southern Patagonian coast, and about 752 miles (1,210 kilometers) from the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago, with an area of 4,700 square miles (12,000 square kilometers), comprises East Falkland, West Falkland, and 776 smaller islands. As a British overseas territory, the Falklands have internal self-governance, and the United Kingdom takes responsibility for their defense and foreign affairs. The Falkland Islands’ capital is Stanley on East Falkland.
Controversy exists over the Falklands’ discovery and subsequent colonization by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements. Britain reasserted its rule in 1833, although Argentina maintains its claim to the islands. In April 1982, Argentine forces occupied the islands. British administration was restored two months later at the end of the Falklands War. Almost all Falklanders favor the archipelago remaining a UK overseas territory. Its sovereignty status is part of an ongoing dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
The population (3,398 inhabitants in 2016) primarily consists of native-born Falkland Islanders, the majority of British descent. Other ethnicities include French, Gibraltarian, and Scandinavian. Immigration from the United Kingdom, the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena, and Chile has reversed a population decline. The predominant (and official) language is English. Under the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983, Falkland Islanders are British citizens.
The islands lie on the boundary of the subantarctic oceanic and tundra climate zones, and both major islands have mountain ranges reaching 2,300 feet (700 m). They are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on the main islands because of competition from introduced species. Major economic activities include fishing, tourism and sheep farming, with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports. Oil exploration, licensed by the Falkland Islands Government, remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina.
The Falklands are the administrative center for British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and they are a base of operations for the British Antarctic Survey – the organization that links the territories to the Falkland Islands. For this project, all mail destined for the latter two territories are routed through Stanley.
address
N. Guem
27 Front St
Stanley
FIQQ 1ZZ
Falkland Islands
I have not noted the country “South Atlantic Ocean” in connection with addresses in Stanley, proper, only with the smaller territories. In some instances, e.g. for domestic mail, the postcode is absent.