Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina

Government type NA

Capital Stanley

Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Independence none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

National holiday Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Constitution 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998

Legal system English common law

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
head of government: Governor Donald LAMONT (since NA May 1999); note - Howard PEARCE was elected governor on 24 January 2002, but will not take office until October 2002; Chief Executive A. M. GURR (since NA); Financial Secretary D. F. HOWATT (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

Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor
elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8; note - 71% voter turnout

Judicial branch Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Political parties and leaders none; all independents

Political pressure groups and leaders none

International organization participation ICFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas 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 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.