Definition of Falkland Islands

Known in English as the Falkland Islands, the Falkland Islands are an archipelago located south of Argentina, in the sea of ​​that country.

Archipelago located in the south of Argentina

These islands are particular in terms of their history since several countries have disputed their dominion, mainly Argentina and England, the latter being the one that has owned them since the 19th century. Today, the Falkland Islands are inhabited by kelpers, citizens belonging to the English Crown who, however, do not consider themselves either Argentine or English.

The Falkland Islands are made up of two major islands: Gran Malvina Island to the west and Soledad Island to the east. In addition to them we find in this archipelago an endless number of small islands that are located around the two mentioned. The city of Stanley, located on Soledad Island, is the capital of the islands. The population of these islands barely exceeds three thousand inhabitants, most of them descendants of British or pure British.

Obviously, these islands have landscapes and a privileged nature, almost virgin due to the remoteness of their location in the sea. Meanwhile he weather of the region is sub-arctic maritime (that is, it has great influence from the sea in terms of temperature, rainfall and the presence of winds), the landscapes of the islands are certainly beautiful with low mountains, green plains and an incredible sea around.

The main activities carried out in the area are fishing and tourism, although in recent times the discovery of oil may have a profound influence on the development of the region. extraction of such material.

Dispute between Argentina and England for the sovereignty of the Islands

The Falkland Islands are undoubtedly a unique and very particular geographical space. The history of these islands has always been marked by invasions, struggles and confrontations between different peoples who sought to dominate them.

And when we talk about military confrontations on the islands, we cannot ignore one of the most relevant that has occurred in recent history and which is known as The Falklands War.

In April 1982, the Malvinas war pitted the Argentine army against the British for sovereignty in the region.

It has been undoubtedly the strongest and hardest event that the people of these islands had to suffer in recent decades, and on the side of Argentina was also an event that had a tremendous negative impact since thousands of young people died in the confrontation. soldiers.

The superiority of England and the precariousness of the Argentine army

Because at that moment when the dispute between England and Argentina for sovereignty in the Islands breaks out, Argentina, it was governed by a military dictatorship that made the decision to go to war to improve its image but did not really have the resources nor with an army prepared to face one of the greatest naval powers in history like England.

The superiority of the United Kingdom was very remarkable compared to Argentina in every way.

The decision of the Argentine military junta to go to war was unconscious and was only substantiated by the need to demonstrate to its people a power and force non-existent.

This was amply demonstrated on the battlefield where hundreds and hundreds of young soldiers died who not only did not have the experience and the preparation that a war demands, but they also did not have basic elements of struggle such as weapons, clothing, among others.

During the two months that the war lasted, the Argentine dictatorship blatantly lied to its people, making them believe that they were winning when in fact they were far from doing so.

Consequences of the British victory and the Argentine defeat

On June 14, 1982 the war formally ended with a resounding British victory.

The consequences that it will have will have a very different impact in each country, the defeat of Argentina was the reason that hastened the departure of the military junta from power and the return to power. democracy, while for the United Kingdom it implied the re-election of English Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

But for Argentina there was an even worse consequence, because the thousands of young unprepared soldiers who returned from the war they did not receive the containment or the help they deserved and then the horror ended up fatally impacting many who were they committed suicide.

At present, Argentine Malvinas veterans carry out various protests in which they demand that they be recognized for benefits that later governments never recognized.

To date, the United Nations continues to consider the Falkland Islands as a territory without determined sovereignty.

Themes in Falkland Islands