This one comes from Marije in the Netherlands. 🙂
The Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas) are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about 500 km east of South America’s southern Patagonian coast, at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago, with an area of 12,200 km², comprises East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 smaller islands. As a British overseas territory, the Falklands have internal self-governance, with the United Kingdom taking responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The islands’ capital is Stanley, on East Falkland.
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, although Argentina maintained its claim to the islands. In 1982, after Argentina’s invasion of the islands, the Falklands War resulted in the surrender of Argentine forces and the return of the islands to British administration.
The world in my mailbox... 