Falkland Island

Why in news?

• Britain rejected a statement from China that affirmed Beijing’s support for Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, as relations between London and China remain strained.

About Falkland Island:

• Falkland Islands, also called Malvinas Islands or Spanish Islas Malvinas, internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic Ocean.
• It lies about 300 miles northeast of the southern tip of South America and a similar distance east of the Strait of Magellan.
• The capital and major town is Stanley, on East Falkland, there are also several scattered small settlements as well as a Royal Air Force base that is located at Mount Pleasant.
• The two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, and about 200 smaller islands. The government of the Falkland Islands also administers the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, including the Shag and Clerke rocks.
• The islands lie on the boundary of the subantarctic oceanic and tundra climate zones, and both major islands have mountain ranges.

What is the basis of different claims on the island?

• Controversy exists over the Falklands' discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times, the islands have had French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements.
• Britain reasserted its rule in 1833, but Argentina maintains its claim to the islands.
• In April 1982, Argentine military forces invaded the islands. British administration was restored two months later at the end of the Falklands War.
• Almost all Falklanders favour the archipelago remaining a UK overseas territory.
• Its sovereignty status is part of an ongoing dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Falkland Island, widely discussed in news, is located in:

(a) Atlantic Ocean

(b) Pacific Ocean

(c) Indian Ocean

(d) Arctic Ocean

Answer