GENERAL
Capital
Port Stanley.
Geography
As a country located in South America according to naturegnosis, the Falkland Islands are 650 km from the southeast coast of South America. The archipelago consists of two main islands and around 200 small islets. The two large islands are mountainous in the north and flat in the south. Mount Usborne is the highest point (712 m).
Government
British overseas territory since 1837. 1985 Constitution, last amended in 1998. Parliament: Legislative Council with 10 members. The area is claimed as the Islas Malvinas of Argentina.
Head of state
The British monarch is represented by the Governor Colin Roberts (since April 2014).
Electricity
240 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
Falkland Islands Summer Time: CET -4
MONEY
Currency
1 Falkland Islands pound = 100 pence. Currency abbreviation: FI £, FKP (ISO code). British banknotes and coins are legal tender. Banknotes are available in denominations of 50, 20, 10 and 5 FI £; Coins in denominations of 2 and 1 FI £ and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence.
Credit cards
Visa and MasterCard are generally accepted, American Express and Diners Club only partially. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
There are no ATMs.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
There are no restrictions on the import and export of local and foreign currency. Obligation to declare when entering from a non-EU country and when leaving a non-EU country with an equivalent value of € 10,000 or more (all means of payment).
Currency Exchange
Banks and exchange offices are available in Stanley, where the most popular foreign currencies can be exchanged.
Outside the Falkland Islands, the Falkland Pounds are difficult to convert into other currencies.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is English.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into the Falkland Islands duty-free:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (people aged 16+);
1 l alcoholic beverages over 22% or 2 l up to 22% and 2 l sparkling wine or wine and 10 l beer (people 18+).
Import regulations
Import permits are required for weapons, ammunition, meat, dairy products, poultry products and plants.
Prohibited imports
Drugs, pornographic products and all kinds of counterfeits.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Appointments should be made in advance, punctuality is expected. Knowledge of English is essential.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Economy
Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC)
PO Box 580, Stanley
Tel: 2 72 11.
Business contacts
Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC)
PO Box 580, Stanley
Tel: 2 72 11.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service. Cable & Wireless (Internet: www.cwfi.co.fk) arranges telephone connections from the islands via satellite. There are card phones in Stanley. Telephone cards are available in the Cable & Wireless offices, which are open Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Cellphone
There is currently no cellular network in the Falkland Islands.
Internet
There is an internet café in Stanley. The main internet providers are U-Net and Cable & Wireless plc.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes around 4-7 days.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
The goods on offer are quite expensive as almost everything has to be imported. However, smaller luxury items are often inexpensive. The postage stamps from the Falkland Islands are of collector’s value and can be obtained from the Philatelic Bureau. The Home Industries Cooperative sells beautiful woolen items. Photographers should bring enough films with them. Shop opening times: Mon-Sun 8 am-12pm and 1 pm-5pm; some shops are open until 8 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Stanley has pubs, cafes and restaurants. The various clubs and associations are also open to visitors.
CULINARY
CULTURE
Religion
Protestants.
Social rules of conduct
The way of life on the Falkland Islands is reminiscent of small, secluded English or Scottish villages. Tourism has increased and islanders enjoy the added facilities that the presence of British troops has brought. Tip: 10% is appropriate if the invoice does not include service charges. Taxi drivers expect tips.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Temperate climate with mild winters and cool summers. Antarctic currents affect the water temperature.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +500 Area (sqkm) 12173 Population 2931 Population density (per sqkm) 0 Population in 2014 Member of the EU No main emergency number 999
