Country name
conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Data code FA

Dependency status dependent territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina

Government type NA

National capital Stanley

Administrative divisions none (dependent territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)

Independence none (dependent territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)

National holiday Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Constitution 3 October 1985; amended 1997

Legal system English common law

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Richard RALPH (since 29 January 1996); Chief Executive A. GURR (since NA); First Secretary R. T. JARVIS (since NA)
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen

Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats, 8 elected, 2 ex officio; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held NA October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2002)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8

Judicial branch Supreme Court, chief justice is non-resident

Political parties and leaders none; all independents

International organization participation ICFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US none (dependent territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (dependent territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)

Flag description blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

NOTE: The information regarding Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.