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Situated  in the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands
lie some 400 miles (483 km) East of the South American mainland and 850 miles (1,365 km) north of the Antarctic circle. The Islands are located between Latitude 51° and 53° S and Longitude 57° and 62° W; approximately the same latitude south as London lies north.
The Falkland Islands comprise two main Islands (East and West Falkland) and some 700 smaller islands, a total land area of approximately 4,700 square miles (12,173 square km). The distance from Stanley, on the extreme east, to New Island, on the extreme west, is some 148 miles (238 km).
The climate is characterised by a narrow temperature range, which varies from a maximum of around 24°C (76°F) in January, to a minimum of minus 5°C (22°F) in July, with a mean annual temperature of approximately 5.6°C (42°F). Strong winds are common, but the rainfall pattern is comparatively
low and evenly distributed throughout the year, averaging 625 mm (24 inches). The climate is influenced by the cold surface current from the Antarctic, which is much colder than the polar cap of the north.
Key economic activities are fishing, tourism and agriculture for further information
visit our website at www.falklands.gov.fk
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