The Falkland Islands (known as the Malvinas among Argentines) are an archipelago 300 miles off the coast of South America. Two main islands and hundreds of smaller ones make up the territory, which was reportedly first sighted in 1592.
The French, Spanish, and British all established settlements there, but after Argentina declared independence, the South American nation laid claim to the islands in 1820. The British then claimed sovereignty in 1833, and have ever since.
Today about 3,000 people live there. Residents have enjoyed full British citizenship since 1983. Their economy, with a GDP of about $165 million a year, is fueled by fishing and sheep farming. Tourists are also drawn to the view of millions of breeding penguins.
