10 things you never knew about the Falkland Islands

Here are 10 things which you might not know about the Falkland Islands, and why it deserves to be at the top of any intrepid traveller’s wish list.

1. Not one, not two but.... Over 740 individual land masses make up the Falkland Islands archipelago. Calculating the exact number of islands is tricky due to water levels fluctuating throughout the year. The largest islands are East and West Falkland. The majority of the population (just over 2,000) live in the capital Stanley located on East Falkland.

2. Poles apart! The Falklands are the same distance from the South Pole as London is from the North Pole. The Islands lay between latitude 51º and 53 ºS and longitude 57º and 62ºW.

3. Sunnier spots. The Falklands enjoy more sunshine than the UK (on average). The weather in the Falklands is warmer in winter and cooler in summer when compared to the UK, also they have less rainfall.

4. King of the “most southerly”! The world’s most southerly capital is home to an array of southern most events and attractions in the world. Visit the world’s most southerly cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, or take part in the most southerly AIMs certified marathon, the challenging Stanley Marathon takes place every March.

5. Camping? Anywhere outside the Falkland’s capital of Stanley is known locally as ‘camp’ derived from ‘el campo’ which means countryside in Spanish. The countryside is home to some stunning beaches, historical battlefields and working sheep farms such as Long Island – a popular excursion for cruise passengers and day trippers.

6. Ppppick up a penguin holiday... There are more than 300 penguins per Islander in the Falklands! The main species of penguin on the Islands are gentoo, rockhopper, king and Magellanic. King penguins cut a classic ‘ppppick up a penguin’ form – tall and regal, gentoos look like mini versions of the kings, Magellanic have a distinctive horseshoe stripe across their front, while rockhoppers have the most unique hairstyle in the penguin family – you can see rockhoppers ‘showering’ under cliffs on Saunders Island! Over 770,000 penguins reside in the Falklands in total and it is possible to see up to five species in one day!

7. Darwin. Charles Darwin visited the Falklands twice; in 1833 and in 1834 also. Darwin was onboard the RMS Beagle and undertook a zoological survey of the Islands; in East Falkland there is a settlement named after him.

8. Feathered flocks. Over 65 per cent of the global population of black-browed albatross reside in the Falkland Islands, known locally as the ‘mollymawk’. At Steeple Jason, northwest of West Falkland, you can see the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world. There are over 227 listed species of bird that reside in the Falklands, making the Islands a top spot for wildlife enthusiasts.

9. Sound as a pound! The Falklands pound is the official currency for the Islands and the value of this tracks UK sterling. UK sterling is accepted on the Islands as valid tender and some retailers and attractions even accept Euros. For a full list of practical advice visit www.falklandislands.com.

10. Hey Diddle Diddle... Diddle-dee berries are endemic to the Falkland Islands. These tiny, red, bittersweet berries grow on the Diddle dee shrub which bears fruit in the autumn. Often used to make jam, one of the best places to sample Diddle dee is at the charming Sea Cabbage Cafe in Bluff Cove Lagoon, an easy day trip from Stanley. At the cafe you can sample homemade treats and watch the penguins busying about the cove. Island Hopping: On an island-hopping holiday your pilot will often be the postman and the baggage handler! Journey Latin America (www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk / 0208 747 8315) offers an eight-day itinerary visiting Darwin, Pebble and Sea Lion Islands and Stanley, from £1,261 per person. The price includes accommodation, domestic flights, some meals and most guided excursions. International flights excluded.

For further information on the Falklands Islands plus a downloadable taster guide, please visit www.falklandislands.com. Media enquiries should be directed to Suzanne Holiday and Tryph Greenwood at Keene on 020 7839 2140 or falklandstourism@keenepa.co.uk.

Notes for Editors:
•The Falklands are a self-governing Overseas Territory which lie 400 miles off the south eastern tip of South America.
• The Islands have a raw, unspoilt quality that entices locals and tourists back time and again. Visitors to the Islands are spoilt for choice with more than 227 species of identified birds (including several of the world’s largest endangered breeding colonies), as well as whales, dolphins, elephant seals, sea lions, delicate flora and rugged geographical formations.
• The best time to visit the Islands and experience the local culture and wildlife is October to April, this is when the cruise season also runs. The average summer temperature (December to March) is 15º Celsius (59º Fahrenheit) and the Falklands has more sunshine hours and less rainfall than the UK.
• There are over 40 international tour operators offering tailor-made packages and escorted tours to the Falkland Islands. See www.falklandislands.com for the latest list.
• Visitors can reach the Falklands on the weekly LAN Airways flight via Chile or the charter flight operated twice weekly from RAF Brize Norton in the UK by the Ministry of Defence.