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[[Image:Falkland Islands map.gif|right|thumb|250px|Map of the Falkland Islands]]

[[Image:Falkland Islands map.gif|right|thumb|250px|Map of the Falkland Islands]]

The '''Falkland Islands''' are a small group of islands situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, 300 miles from the coast of [[Argentina]].  The two major islands, West and East Falkland, are separated by Falkland Sound.  There are numerous smaller islands.  The [[capital]] is Stanley, on East Falkland.

The '''Falkland Islands''' are a small group of islands situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, 300 miles from the coast of [[Argentina]].  The two major islands, West and East Falkland, are separated by Falkland Sound.  There are numerous smaller islands.  The [[capital]] is Stanley (sometimes referred to as Port Stanley), on East Falkland.

==Sovereignty==

==Sovereignty==

The Islands have been a territory of the [[United Kingdom]] for 170 years, but the British claim to sovereignty is disputed by Argentina. A war was fought over the issue when Argentina seized the islands on April 2nd, 1982 without warning.  Argentina was run by a military junta at that time and was experiencing a time of economic difficulties and social unrest at home.  The British, under [[Margaret Thatcher]], put together a naval expedition to travel half way around the world and retake the islands.  The Argentines had a great deal of time to solve the conflict peacefully as the British slowly came closer, but eventually conflict broke out when the British arrived.  The Argentines were no match for the British forces, who had a quick victory once their ground troops reached the island, although a weakness in the British vessels from missiles was uncovered during the conflict.  On June 15th the Falkland Islanders were liberated.  The embarrassing defeat for Argentina helped to hasten the downfall of the military government while in Britain Thatcher's party surged to victory in elections the following year.  255 British lost their lives in the war.  Argentina admits to the loss of 655 soldiers, but the actual count is unknown as it counted on accurate figures from the Argentine government.  Argentina maintains its claim to the islands, although it has not tried to take them by force again. Since the war, Britian has declined Argentinian requests for sovereignty talks.  The 3,000 residents of the islands are strongly supportive of continued British rule.

The Islands have been a territory of the [[United Kingdom]] for 170 years, but the British claim to sovereignty is disputed by Argentina, which refers to the territory as the ''Islas Malvinas''. A war was fought over the issue when Argentina seized the islands on April 2nd, 1982 without warning.  Argentina was run by a military junta at that time and was experiencing a time of economic difficulties and social unrest at home.  The British, under [[Margaret Thatcher]], put together a naval expedition to travel half way around the world and retake the islands.  The Argentines had a great deal of time to solve the conflict peacefully as the British slowly came closer, but eventually conflict broke out when the British arrived.  The Argentines were no match for the British forces, who had a quick victory once their ground troops reached the island, although a weakness in the British vessels from missiles was uncovered during the conflict.  On June 15th the Falkland Islanders were liberated.  The embarrassing defeat for Argentina helped to hasten the downfall of the military government while in Britain Thatcher's party surged to victory in elections the following year.  255 British lost their lives in the war.  Argentina admits to the loss of 655 soldiers, but the actual count is unknown as it counted on accurate figures from the Argentine government.  Argentina maintains its claim to the islands, although it has not tried to take them by force again. Since the war, Britian has declined Argentinian requests for sovereignty talks.  The 3,000 residents of the islands are strongly supportive of continued British rule.

France and Spain have previously laid claim to the islands.

France and Spain have previously laid claim to the islands.