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106-645: Matthew Brisbane (1787 – 8 August 1833) was a Scottish mariner, sealer and notable figure in the early history of the Falkland Islands . Little is known of Brisbane's early life. He was born in Perth, Scotland in 1787 but his exact birth date is unknown. It appears that he was a merchant sailor during the Napoleonic Wars but there is no record of his service in the Royal Navy . His brother

212-560: A British overseas territory , the Falklands have internal self-governance , but the United Kingdom takes responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. The capital and largest settlement is Stanley on East Falkland. The islands are believed to have been uninhabited prior to European discovery in the 17th century . Controversy exists over the Falklands' discovery and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At various times,

318-448: A self-governing British Overseas Territory . Under the 2009 Constitution , the islands have full internal self-government; the UK is responsible for foreign affairs, retaining the power "to protect UK interests and to ensure the overall good governance of the territory". The Monarch of the United Kingdom is the head of state, and executive authority is exercised on the monarch's behalf by

424-655: A UK expeditionary force retook the territories in June. After the war the UK expanded its military presence, building RAF Mount Pleasant and increasing the size of its garrison. The war also left some 117 minefields containing nearly 20,000 mines of various types, including anti-vehicle and anti-personnel mines. Due to the large number of deminer casualties, initial attempts to clear the mines ceased in 1983. Demining operations recommenced in 2009 and were completed in October 2020. Based on Lord Shackleton 's recommendations,

530-486: A UK overseas territory. The territory's sovereignty status is part of an ongoing dispute between Argentina and the UK . The population (3,662 inhabitants in 2021) is primarily native-born Falkland Islanders , the majority of British descent. Other ethnicities include French, Gibraltarians , and Scandinavians. Immigration from the United Kingdom, the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena , and Chile has reversed

636-534: A brief search they found him. Ventura tried to flee but was shot down. Helsby witnessed the murder and attempted his own escape but was soon caught by Felipe Salagar, who was on horseback. Convinced he was about to be killed he complied with their instructions, and was allowed to live. I was ordered by them into Captain Brisbane's house, and there first saw his body lying dead upon the floor, he appeared to have been making towards his pistols before he fell, and there

742-807: A dispute related to fishing and hunting rights led to a raid by the American warship USS Lexington in 1831, when United States Navy commander Silas Duncan declared the dissolution of the island's government. Buenos Aires attempted to gain influence over the settlement by installing a garrison in October 1832, which mutinied within a month and was followed the next year by the arrival of British forces, who reasserted Britain's rule . The Argentine Confederation (headed by Buenos Aires Governor Juan Manuel de Rosas ) protested against Britain's actions, and Argentine governments have continued since then to register official protests against Britain. The British troops departed after completing their mission, leaving

848-415: A killing spree which resulted in the deaths of Brisbane and the senior leaders of the settlement. Thomas Helsby, a clerk in the employ of Vernet, wrote an account of the murders. At around ten in the morning, Helsby departed Brisbane's house to buy some oil from William Dickson, whom he found at the house of Antonio Wagner. Other people there included Daniel McKay and Joseph Douglas. On leaving, as he passed

954-416: A leased floating production, storage and offloading unit". A final investment decision had been targeted for early 2024, though it was somewhat delayed. A public consultation on the project took place in the summer of 2024 and was reported to have garnered widespread support from Falkland Islanders. Since Britain's newly elected Labour Government banned similar oil projects in the United Kingdom, this created

1060-535: A low population density . According to the 2012 census, the average daily population of the Falklands was 2,932, excluding military personnel serving in the archipelago and their dependents. A 2012 report counted 1,300 uniformed personnel and 50 British Ministry of Defence civil servants present in the Falklands. Stanley (with 2,121 residents) is the most-populous location on the archipelago, followed by Mount Pleasant (369 residents, primarily air-base contractors) and Camp (351 residents). The islands' age distribution

1166-725: A military base aiding control of the South Atlantic. In the First World War Battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914, a Royal Navy fleet defeated an Imperial German squadron. In the Second World War , following the December 1939 Battle of the River Plate , the battle-damaged HMS Exeter steamed to the Falklands for repairs. In 1942, a battalion en route to India was redeployed to

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1272-423: A negative reputation due to cargo-shipping losses; only in emergencies would ships rounding Cape Horn stop at the port. Nevertheless, the Falklands' geographic location proved ideal for ship repairs and the "Wrecking Trade", the business of selling and buying shipwrecks and their cargoes. Aside from this trade, commercial interest in the archipelago was minimal due to the low-value hides of the feral cattle roaming

1378-494: A population decline. The predominant (and official) language is English. Under the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 , Falkland Islanders are British citizens . The islands lie at the boundary of the subantarctic oceanic and tundra climate zones, and both major islands have mountain ranges reaching 2,300 ft (700 m). They are home to large bird populations, although many no longer breed on

1484-487: A record for the furthest voyage south that lasted till James Clark Ross 's voyage of 1842. During the voyage around the South Orkney Islands the expedition had tried sealing but with little success. In February, with the season drawing short, Weddell made the decision to head North toward South Georgia. After spending a month there, the two ships sailed to the Falkland Islands to spend the winter. Whilst

1590-613: A rescue. In Buenos Aires, he met Luis Vernet from whom he chartered the American Brig Betsy to rescue the remaining crew members. Brisbane's third and final shipwreck was aboard the sealer Bellville under the command of Captain Bray. This wrecked on the east coast of Tierra del Fuego. Again the crew constructed a shallop from the wreckage but were hampered in the task by the local Fuegians who constantly pilfered tools and supplies. Supplies were exhausted in early April and

1696-747: A small British town with a variety of clubs and organisations covering many aspects of community life". Despite its small size, the Falkland Islands compete in the Commonwealth Games and Island Games . The Falkland Islands national cricket team is a member of the International Cricket Council . Lat. and Long. 51°42′S 57°51′W  /  51.700°S 57.850°W  / -51.700; -57.850 (Stanley) 51°44′S 59°13′W  /  51.73°S 59.22°W  / -51.73; -59.22 Rio Negro (Argentina) It originates from

1802-566: A very social place, and stopping for a chat is a way of life". The islands have one weekly newspaper, The Penguin News , and television and radio broadcasts generally feature programming from the United Kingdom. Wagstaff describes the local cuisine as "very British in character with much use made of the home-grown vegetables, local lamb, mutton, beef, and fish". Common between meals are "homemade cakes and biscuits with tea or coffee". Social activities are, according to Wagstaff, "typical of that of

1908-501: Is pegged to the British pound sterling . Economic development was advanced by ship resupplying and sheep farming for high-quality wool. The main sheep breeds in the Falkland Islands are Polwarth and Corriedale . During the 1980s, although ranch under-investment and the use of synthetic fibres damaged the sheep-farming sector, the government secured a major revenue stream by the establishment of an exclusive economic zone and

2014-527: Is also memorialised by Cape Brisbane and Mount Beaufoy on Henderson Island in Tierra del Fuego and by Brisbane Heights on Coronation Island in the South Orkney Islands . Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands ( / ˈ f ɔː ( l ) k l ə n d , ˈ f ɒ l k -/ FAW(L)K -lənd, FOLK - ; Spanish: Islas Malvinas [ˈislas malˈβinas] ) is an archipelago in

2120-499: Is cultivated both for human consumption and for feeding cattle , which is the most important activity. In spite of its name of Negro ("black") the colour is more greenish than black. Nevertheless, the name is the literal translation of its aboriginal Mapuche name of Curú Leuvú . The river was also known by the name of Río de los Sauces ("River of Willows") for the abundant weeping willows along its lower course. The Regata del Río Negro (Black River Regatta), run in this river,

2226-511: Is debated by historians. In 1766, France surrendered its claim on the Falklands to Spain , which renamed the French colony Puerto Soledad the following year. Problems began when Spain detected and captured Port Egmont in 1770. War was narrowly avoided by its restitution to Britain in 1771. The British and Spanish settlements coexisted in the archipelago until 1774, when Britain's new economic and strategic considerations led it to withdraw

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2332-518: Is latitude 51°40′  – 53°00′ S and longitude 57°40′  – 62°00′ W . The archipelago's two main islands are separated by the Falkland Sound , and its deep coastal indentations form natural harbours . East Falkland houses Stanley (the capital and largest settlement), the UK military base at RAF Mount Pleasant, and the archipelago's highest point: Mount Usborne , at 2,313 ft (705 m). Outside of these significant settlements

2438-660: Is skewed towards working age (20–60) . Males outnumber females (53 to 47 per cent), and this discrepancy is most prominent in the 20–60 age group. In the 2012 census, most islanders identified themselves as Christian (66 per cent), followed by those with no religious affiliation (32 per cent). The remaining 2 per cent identified as adherents of other religions, including the Baháʼí Faith , Buddhism , and Islam . The main Christian denominations are Anglicanism and other Protestantism , and Roman Catholicism . Education in

2544-1048: Is the area colloquially known as "Camp", which is derived from the Spanish term for countryside ( Campo ). The climate of the islands is cold, windy, and humid maritime . Variability of daily weather is typical throughout the archipelago. Rainfall is common over half of the year, averaging 610 mm (24 in) in Stanley, and sporadic light snowfall occurs nearly all year. The temperature has historically stayed between 21.1 and −11.1 °C (70.0 and 12.0 °F) in Stanley, with mean monthly temperatures varying from 9 °C (48 °F) in January and February (summer) to −1 °C (30 °F) in July (winter). Strong westerly winds and cloudy skies are common. Although numerous storms are recorded each month, conditions are normally calm. The Falkland Islands are biogeographically part of

2650-462: The Antarctic zone , with strong connections to the flora and fauna of Patagonia in mainland South America. Land birds make up most of the Falklands' avifauna . The only endemic bird species on the Falkland Islands are the flightless Falkland steamer duck and Cobb's wren . 63 species breed on the islands, including 14 endemic subspecies . There is also abundant arthropod diversity on

2756-576: The Beaufoy set sail to return to England arriving on 29 March 1826. On 16 June 1826, Brisbane became the master of the 103 ton schooner Prince of Saxe-Coburg outfitted for sealing in the South Orkney Islands. This voyage proved to be disastrous: first meeting atrocious weather and then pack ice that damaged the ship, Brisbane made the decision to run for Tierra del Fuego in order to make repairs. There on 16 December 1826, whilst anchored in Fury Bay on

2862-668: The British Packet and Argentine News of Vernet's fishing claims and warnings to sealers. The British consul in Buenos Aires, Woodbine Parish , warned Brisbane not to interfere with British commerce in the islands. In July 1831, Brisbane and Vernet seized the American vessels Superior , Breakwater and Harriet . The Breakwater escaped and the Superior was allowed to continue sealing on Vernet's terms. Vernet returned in

2968-740: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office , is largely based on English law , and the constitution binds the territory to the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights . Residents have the right of appeal to the European Court of Human Rights and the Privy Council . Law enforcement is the responsibility of the Royal Falkland Islands Police (RFIP). Defence of the islands is provided by

3074-625: The Harriet to Buenos Aires to arrange for a trial. The seizure of the American ships proved to be a disastrous move for the small settlement at Port Louis. The USS Lexington had been sent to reinforce the Brazil Squadron to protect American commerce, in part a response to Argentine proclamations on sealing and fishing in the South Atlantic. Under the command of Silas M. Duncan the Lexington sailed for Port Louis to put an end to what

3180-522: The Jane was prepared for winter gales, the Beaufoy was used to scout for fur seals. In October, the decision was made to sail south again to the South Orkney Islands but found the conditions were terrible with both vessels damaged by ice and the men frostbitten. Both set sail North for Tierra del Fuego and continued sealing along the Patagonian coast. The ships then split up, with Brisbane sailing for

3286-534: The National Capital of the Tomato . Outside the valley, on the more arid lands around town such as Chimpay and Darwin , some cattle is also raised. Although the term is not as used term as the previous two, Valle Inferior refers to Viedma and all the cities on the province's coast. Fruit is also produced but is not a primary activity. Onion is cultivated as well as some cereals. Alfalfa and maize

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3392-654: The South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf . The principal islands are about 300 mi (480 km) east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and about 752 mi (1,210 km) from Cape Dubouzet at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula , at a latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago, with an area of 4,700 sq mi (12,000 km ), comprises East Falkland , West Falkland , and 776 smaller islands. As

3498-576: The USS Warren . Brisbane and the others were later released on the orders of Commodore Rodgers. Brisbane soon returned to the Falkland Islands acting as pilot for Major Pinedo commander of the ARA Sarandi , which transported Major Esteban Mestivier to the islands to take up his post as governor and to establish a penal colony. Shortly after the Sarandi left to survey the islands Mestivier

3604-669: The United Nations General Assembly , the Fourth Committee determined that, in all languages other than Spanish, all UN documentation would designate the territory as Falkland Islands (Malvinas) . In Spanish, the territory was designated as Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands) . The nomenclature used by the United Nations for statistical processing purposes is Falkland Islands (Malvinas) . Although Fuegians from Patagonia may have visited

3710-563: The governor , who appoints the islands' chief executive on the advice of members of the Legislative Assembly . Both the governor and the chief executive serve as the head of government . Governor Alison Blake was appointed in July 2022 and Chief Executive Andy Keeling was appointed in April 2021. The UK minister responsible for the Falkland Islands since 2024, Stephen Doughty , administers British foreign policy regarding

3816-569: The schooner Rapid , at the time of the first visit by HMS Beagle under the command of Captain Fitzroy and with Charles Darwin on board as naturalist . Brisbane was reunited with one of the officer who had saved his life when he was wrecked in the Prince of Saxe-Coburg . Brisbane visited the Beagle presenting his papers to Captain Fitzroy showing that he was acting as Vernet's private agent and

3922-552: The 143 ton schooner Hope and left once more for the South Atlantic on 17 January 1828. In April 1829, the Hope was wrecked off the coast of South Georgia. Brisbane and the crew constructed a shallop from the wreckage and sailed for Montevideo. On 9 April he made landfall in Rio Negro, then sailed North in the smack Triunfo arriving in Buenos Aires on 2 May. Ten of his crew remained at South Georgia, so Brisbane set about organising

4028-403: The 221st largest out of 229 in the world by GDP ( PPP ), but ranks 10th worldwide by GDP (PPP) per capita . The unemployment rate was 1% in 2016, and inflation was calculated at 1.4% in 2014. Based on 2010 data, the islands have a high Human Development Index of 0.874 and a moderate Gini coefficient for income inequality of 34.17. The local currency is the Falkland Islands pound , which

4134-562: The Anglo-Saxon term "folkland" (land held by folk-right ). The name "Falklands" was not applied to the islands until 1765, when British captain John Byron of the Royal Navy claimed them for King George III as "Falkland's Islands". The term "Falklands" is a standard abbreviation used to refer to the islands. The common Spanish name for the archipelago, Islas Malvinas , derives from the French Îles Malouines —the name given to

4240-722: The Antarctic voyage, whilst Brisbane headed for Bonavista in the Cape Verde islands for a cargo of salt with which to cure seal skins. In December, they met up at Port St Elena in what is now Chile. Brisbane sailed south to hunt for seals arranging to rendezvous with Weddell at Penguin Island on the Patagonian coast. On New Year's Day 1823, they met up once again before sailing south to the South Orkney Islands . Discovered by Nathaniel Brown Palmer and George Powell in 1821, little

4346-512: The Argentine navy in the conflict with Brazil). Meanwhile, Brisbane continued to organise the survivors sending out patrols in the remaining two boats and setting the crew to work constructing a vessel from the wreck of the Prince of Saxe-Coburg . On 3 March 1827, one of the boats was spotted by HMS Beagle who rescued the survivors. Brisbane returned to London in 1827, finding another command

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4452-594: The EEZ of Argentina. The UK and Argentina both assert sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The UK bases its position on its continuous administration of the islands since 1833 and the islanders' "right to self-determination as set out in the UN Charter ". Argentina claims that, when it achieved independence in 1816, it acquired the Falklands from Spain. The incident of 1833 is particularly contentious; Argentina considers it proof of "Britain's usurpation" whereas

4558-574: The Environmental Impact Statement required "further discussion" and that any development and production program would need to be considered separately by the Executive Council. Development projects in education and sports have been funded by the Falklands government, without aid from the United Kingdom. The primary sector of the economy accounts for most of the Falkland Islands' gross domestic product, with

4664-528: The Falkland Islanders as a partner in negotiations. However, in May, 2024, newly elected Argentine president Javier Milei , expressed general acceptance and tolerance for British rule, for the time being, noting it could take decades for Argentina to gain control of the islands. Though asserting “We [will not] relinquish our sovereignty" over the islands, Milei said they would not "seek conflict with

4770-703: The Falkland Islands , which follows England's system , is free and compulsory for residents aged between 5 and 16 years. Primary education is available at Stanley, RAF Mount Pleasant (for children of service personnel) and a number of rural settlements. Secondary education is only available in Stanley, which offers boarding facilities and 12 subjects to General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level. Students aged 16 or older may study at colleges in England for their GCE Advanced Level or vocational qualifications. The Falkland Islands government pays for older students to attend institutions of higher education, usually in

4876-471: The Falkland Islands and South Georgia in January. The two intended to rendezvous in March off the coast of Patagonia but, having missed each other, sailed back to London. Brisbane in the Beaufoy arrived there on 20 June 1824, some two weeks before Weddell. On 23 August 1824, Brisbane set sail in the Beaufoy for another sealing voyage along the Patagonian coast and the Falkland Islands. On 15 January 1826,

4982-596: The Falkland Islands are independent ; no political parties exist on the islands. Since the 2013 general election , members of the Legislative Assembly have received a salary and are expected to work full-time and give up all previously held jobs or business interests. As a territory of the United Kingdom, the Falklands were part of the overseas countries and territories of the European Union until 2020 . The islands' judicial system, overseen by

5088-501: The Falkland Islands in prehistoric times, the islands were uninhabited when Europeans first explored them. European claims of discovery date back to the 16th century, but no consensus exists on whether early explorers sighted the Falklands or other islands in the South Atlantic. The first undisputed landing on the islands is attributed to English captain John Strong, who, en route to Peru and Chile 's littoral in 1690, explored

5194-639: The Falkland Sound and noted the islands' water and game. The Falklands remained uninhabited until the 1764 establishment of Port Louis on East Falkland by French captain Louis Antoine de Bougainville and the 1765 foundation of Port Egmont on Saunders Island by Captain John Byron ; the latter settlement being expanded by British captain John MacBride a year later. Whether or not the settlements were aware of each other's existence

5300-445: The Falklands as a garrison amid fears of a Japanese seizure of the archipelago. After the war ended, the Falklands economy was affected by declining wool prices and the political uncertainty resulting from the revived sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina. Simmering tensions between the UK and Argentina increased during the second half of the century, when Argentine President Juan Perón asserted sovereignty over

5406-499: The Falklands basin. Landmine clearance work restarted in 2009, in accordance with the UK's obligations under the Ottawa Treaty , and Sapper Hill Corral was cleared of mines in 2012, allowing access to an important historical landmark for the first time in 30 years. Argentina and the UK re-established diplomatic relations in 1990, but neither has agreed on the terms of future sovereignty discussions. The Falkland Islands are

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5512-440: The Falklands became a Crown colony and Scottish settlers subsequently established an official pastoral community. Four years later, nearly everyone relocated to Port Jackson, considered a better location for the government, and merchant Samuel Lafone began a venture to encourage British colonisation. Stanley , as Port Jackson was soon renamed, officially became the seat of government in 1845. Early in its history, Stanley had

5618-409: The Falklands diversified from a sheep-based monoculture into an economy of tourism and, with the establishment of the Falklands exclusive economic zone , fisheries. The road network was also made more extensive, and the construction of RAF Mount Pleasant allowed access to long haul flights. Oil exploration also began in the 2010s, with indications of possible commercially exploitable deposits in

5724-746: The Falklands with the Erebus and Terror . A simple wooden memorial was erected inscribed with: To the MEMORY of M Matthew Brisbane who was barbarously murdered on the 26 August 1833 —————— In the command of the Beaufoy Cutter he was the Zealous and able Companion of Capt James Weddell during his enterprising Voyage to beyond the 74 degree of South Latitude in February 1823 —————— His remains were removed to this spot by

5830-526: The Gauchos). A third man, Don Ventura, had been left for dead, wounded in the throat by a musket, his head split and his hand almost severed by a sword, but he had since escaped by a back window and headed toward the house of Antonina Roxa . Helsby then heard two musket shots from the house of Antonio Wagner: Wagner and Dickson had been killed, witnessed by Joseph Douglas and Daniel McKay. The gang then returned to Brisbane's house to find Ventura missing. After

5936-687: The National Route #22. Together with San Carlos de Bariloche , this is the most prosperous part of the province. Most pear and apple plantations are at the Alto Valle , but many also at the Valle Medio . Next to Choele Choel is the Choele Choel Island, in which are Lamarque , Luis Beltrán and Pomona , all of them on National Route #250. Besides apple and pear cultivation, tomato is also an important crop, being Lamarque

6042-409: The Río Negro province to produce 70% of the pears and 72% the apples of Argentina. The main area of orchards lie in the middle and upper course of the river. About 48% of the Southern Hemisphere 's pears are produced in Río Negro. Besides irrigation, the river is also source of hydroelectricity with small dams on its course. The river's lower 400 km are naviglable. In 1604 the inland area of

6148-399: The UK and mainland South America. Port Stanley Airport provides internal flights. Despite COVID-19 pandemic restrictions causing suspensions of flights from Santiago and São Paulo and prohibited cruise ship tourism, the economy of the islands remains stable and healthy. The Falkland Islands population is homogeneous, mostly descended from Scottish and Welsh immigrants who settled in

6254-457: The UK discounts it as a mere reassertion of its claim. In 2009, the British prime minister, Gordon Brown , had a meeting with the Argentine president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner , and said that there would be no further talks over the sovereignty of the Falklands. In March 2013, the Falkland Islands held a referendum on its political status: 99.8% of votes cast favoured remaining a British overseas territory. Argentina does not recognise

6360-404: The United Kingdom" over them, preferring to resolve the dispute "within the framework of peace." The Falkland Islands have a land area of 4,700 sq mi (12,000 km ) and a coastline estimated at 800 mi (1,300 km). The archipelago consists of two main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland, and 776 smaller islands. The islands are predominantly mountainous and hilly, with

6466-477: The United Kingdom. Falklands culture is based on the cultural traditions of its British settlers but has also been influenced by Hispanic South America . Falklanders still use some terms and place names from the former Gaucho inhabitants. The Falklands' predominant and official language is English, with the foremost dialect being British English ; nonetheless, some inhabitants also speak Spanish. According to naturalist Will Wagstaff , "the Falkland Islands are

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6572-422: The United Kingdom. A British military garrison is stationed on the islands, and the Falkland Islands government funds an additional platoon to company -sized light infantry Falkland Islands Defence Force . The Falklands claim an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extending 200 nmi (370 km) from its coastal baselines, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ; this zone overlaps with

6678-496: The archipelago was visited only by fishing ships; its political status was undisputed until 1820, when Colonel David Jewett , an American privateer working for the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata , informed anchored ships about Buenos Aires ' 1816 claim to Spain's territories in the South Atlantic. Since the islands had no permanent inhabitants, in 1823 Buenos Aires granted German-born merchant Luis Vernet permission to conduct fishing activities and exploit feral cattle in

6784-438: The archipelago. The sovereignty dispute intensified during the 1960s, shortly after the United Nations passed a resolution on decolonisation which Argentina interpreted as favourable to its position. In 1965, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2065 , calling for both states to conduct bilateral negotiations to reach a peaceful settlement of the dispute. From 1966 until 1968, the UK confidentially discussed with Argentina

6890-400: The archipelago. Vernet settled at the ruins of Puerto Soledad in 1826, and accumulated resources on the islands until the venture was secure enough to bring settlers and form a permanent colony. Buenos Aires named Vernet military and civil commander of the islands in 1829, and he attempted to regulate sealing to stop the activities of foreign whalers and sealers. Vernet's venture lasted until

6996-421: The area without formal government. Vernet's deputy, the Scotsman Matthew Brisbane , returned to the islands that year to restore the business, but his efforts ended after, amid unrest at Port Louis, gaucho Antonio Rivero led a group of dissatisfied individuals to murder Brisbane and the settlement's senior leaders; survivors hid in a cave on a nearby island until the British returned and restored order. In 1840,

7102-501: The beginning of the river, Valle Medio (Medium Valley) near Choele Choel , and Valle Inferior (Lower Valley) near its end. The river crosses the steppe plains of the province through a forest of around 3 km (1.9 mi) in the Alto Valle , and as wide as 20 km (12 mi) towards the Valle Inferior . In the dry plain it is possible to find seashells and pebble . The main cities in Alto Valle are: General Roca , Cipolletti , Cinco Saltos , followed by many others on

7208-422: The corpse. This was the fate of an honest, industrious, and most faithful man: of a man who feared no danger, and despised hardships. He was murdered by villains, because he defended the property of his friend; he was mangled by them to satisfy their hellish spite; dragged by a lasso, at a horse's heels, away from the houses, and left to be eaten by dogs. Brisbane was reburied in 1842 by James Clark Ross , then in

7314-407: The creation of direct air links with the United Kingdom and South America. Tourists, mostly cruise ship passengers, are attracted by the archipelago's wildlife and environment, as well as activities such as fishing and wreck diving ; the majority find accommodation in Stanley. The main international airport, located at RAF Mount Pleasant on East Falkland, provides flights to RAF Brize Norton in

7420-446: The crew nearly starved surviving on a diet of hides, putrid blubber, berries, limpets and fish. The shallop was finished on 1 May and the voyage in a very leaky boat began. Cape Meredith on West Falkland was sighted four days later and the crew arrived in Port Louis on 30 May. At Port Louis, Brisbane once again met the entrepreneur Luis Vernet and became his director of fisheries. In 1830, he visited Buenos Aires and gave notice in

7526-413: The crews of H.B.M. ships "Erebus" and "Terror" on the 25 August 1842 The wooden marker remained until 1906 by which time it had become illegible through weathering, it was replaced with another marked with the same inscription. In 1933, it was replaced with a marble slab laid by Governor O'Grady. The replacement wooden marker is now in Stanley museum. There is a Brisbane Road in Stanley. Brisbane

7632-512: The expense of maintaining the Falkland Islands in an era of budget cuts, the UK again considered transferring sovereignty to Argentina in the early Thatcher government . Substantive sovereignty talks again ended by 1981, and the dispute escalated with passing time. In April 1982 the Falklands War began when Argentine military forces invaded the Falklands and other British territories in the South Atlantic , briefly occupying them until

7738-406: The fishing industry alone contributing between 50% and 60% of annual GDP; agriculture also contributes significantly to GDP and employs about a tenth of the population. A little over a quarter of the workforce serves the Falkland Islands government, making it the archipelago's largest employer. Tourism, part of the service economy, has been spurred by increased interest in Antarctic exploration and

7844-706: The garrison from the islands, leaving a plaque claiming the Falklands for King George III. Spain's Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata became the only formal presence in the territory. West Falkland was left abandoned, and Puerto Soledad became a penal colony. Amid the British invasions of the Río de la Plata during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, the islands' governor evacuated the archipelago in 1806; Spain's remaining colonial garrison followed suit in 1811, except for gauchos and fishermen who remained voluntarily. Thereafter,

7950-403: The government has tried to contain, remove or exterminate foxes, rabbits and rats. Endemic land animals have been the most affected by introduced species, and several bird species have been extirpated from the larger islands. The extent of human impact on the Falklands is unclear, since there is little long-term data on habitat change. As of 2023 , the economy of the Falkland Islands is ranked

8056-481: The hope of finding more islands but made slow progress due to the combination of adverse weather and the need to heave to at night to avoid collision with ice floes. By 27 January they had reached 64° 58' S, where the decision was made to sail north to look for islands between the South Orkney and South Sandwich Islands . Finding none, the pair headed south again and on 20 February 1823 reached 74° 15' S, setting

8162-541: The house of Santiago Lopez, Helsby encountered the murderers. The gang was led by Rivero and comprised José María Luna, Juan Brasido, Manuel Gonzales, Luciano Flores, Manuel Godoy, Felipe Salagar and Lattorre. They were armed with "muskets, pistols, swords, dirks and knives". Alarmed, Helsby ran to Brisbane's house for aid, but he found it locked and could raise no response. He was informed by other residents that Brisbane had been killed, along with Juan Simon (the Capitaz of

8268-474: The islands by French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville in 1764. Bougainville, who founded the islands' first settlement, named the area after the port of Saint-Malo (the point of departure for his ships and colonists). The port, located in the Brittany region of western France, was named after St. Malo (or Maclou), the Christian evangelist who founded the city. In 1965, at the 20th session of

8374-404: The islands have had French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements. Britain reasserted its rule in 1833 , but Argentina maintains its claim to the islands. In April 1982, Argentine military forces invaded the islands . British administration was restored two months later at the end of the Falklands War . In a 2013 sovereignty referendum , almost all Falklanders voted in favour of remaining

8480-417: The islands' economic focus, with an increase in population as workers migrate from Camp. Fear of dependence on fishing licences and threats from overfishing , illegal fishing and fish market price fluctuations led to increased interest in oil drilling as an alternative source of revenue. As of 2001 exploration efforts had yet to find "exploitable reserves". By 2023, oil exploration was still proceeding off

8586-409: The islands' population decline has reduced, thanks to immigrants from the United Kingdom, Saint Helena , and Chile. In the 2012 census, a majority of residents listed their nationality as Falkland Islander (59 per cent), followed by British (29 per cent), Saint Helenian (9.8 per cent), and Chilean (5.4 per cent). A small number of Argentines also live on the islands. The Falkland Islands have

8692-529: The islands. The governor acts on the advice of the islands' Executive Council , composed of the chief executive, the Director of Finance and three elected members of the Legislative Assembly (with the governor as chairman). The Legislative Assembly, a unicameral legislature , consists of the chief executive, the director of finance and eight members (five from Stanley and three from Camp ) elected to four-year terms by universal suffrage . All politicians in

8798-511: The islands. The Falklands' flora consists of 163 native vascular species . More than 400 species of lichens and lichen-dwelling fungi have been recorded. The islands' only native terrestrial mammal, the warrah , was hunted to extinction by European settlers. The islands are frequented by marine mammals , such as the southern elephant seal and the South American fur seal , and various types of cetaceans ; offshore islands house

8904-603: The junction of the Limay River and Neuquén River at the border with the Neuquén Province , and flows southeast incised through steppes to the Atlantic Ocean at 41°01′20″S 62°47′25″W  /  41.0223°S 62.7903°W  / -41.0223; -62.7903 , near El Cóndor beach resort some 30 km (19 mi) downstream from Viedma , Río Negro province's capital. The river allows

9010-479: The main islands due to predation by introduced species . Major economic activities include fishing, tourism and sheep farming , with an emphasis on high-quality wool exports. Oil exploration, licensed by the Falkland Islands Government , remains controversial as a result of maritime disputes with Argentina. The name "Falkland Islands" comes from Falkland Sound , the strait that separates

9116-487: The major exception being the depressed plains of Lafonia (a peninsula forming the southern part of East Falkland). The Falklands consists of continental crust fragments resulting from the break-up of Gondwana and the opening of the South Atlantic that began 130 million years ago. The islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean , on the Patagonian Shelf , about 300 mi (480 km) east of Patagonia in southern Argentina. The Falklands' approximate location

9222-483: The pastures. Economic growth began only after the Falkland Islands Company , which bought out Lafone's failing enterprise in 1851, successfully introduced Cheviot sheep for wool farming, spurring other farms to follow suit. The high cost of importing materials, combined with the shortage of labour and consequent high wages, meant the ship repair trade became uncompetitive. After 1870 it declined as

9328-541: The prospect for a potential conflict between the Falkland Island's government and the British government. Nevertheless, the authority to approve oil development around the islands was said to rest solely with the Falkland Island's government. In November 2024, the Falkland's government Executive Council indicated that, while the public consultation process had been successfully concluded, "some matters" related to

9434-576: The rare striated caracara . There are also five different penguin species and a few of the largest albatross colonies on the planet. Endemic fish around the islands are primarily from the genus Galaxias . The Falklands are treeless and have a wind-resistant vegetation predominantly composed of a variety of dwarf shrubs . Virtually the entire land area of the islands is used as pasture for sheep. Introduced species include reindeer , hares, rabbits, Patagonian foxes , brown rats , and cats. Several of these species have harmed native flora and fauna, so

9540-641: The replacement of sail ships by steamships was accelerated by the low cost of coal in South America; by 1914, with the opening of the Panama Canal , the trade effectively ended. In 1881, the Falkland Islands became financially independent of Britain. For more than a century, the Falkland Islands Company dominated the trade and employment of the archipelago; in addition, it owned most housing in Stanley, which greatly benefited from

9646-678: The river was reached by Spanish explorers departing from Buenos Aires in search of the mythical City of the Caesars . The river served briefly as a natural demarcation between "civilization" and the indigenous territories in the late 1870s and early 1880s during the Conquest of the Desert . In the 1900s Welsh settlers from Chubut were granted land in Choele Choel . The river is divided into three parts: The Alto Valle (High Valley) near

9752-566: The sale of fishing licences to "anybody wishing to fish within this zone". Since the end of the Falklands War in 1982, the islands' economic activity increasingly focused on oil field exploration and tourism. All large settlements are now connected by road and, since 2008, a ferry links West and East Falkland. The islands' major exports include wool, hides, venison, fish and squid; its main imports include fuel, building materials and clothing. The port settlement of Stanley has regained

9858-672: The settlement tried to rebuild Vernet's business interests. He recommenced paying the Gauchos in promissory notes issued by Vernet, which led to conflict within the settlement. The Gauchos resented the reimposition of authority and wanted to be paid in silver as Captain Onslow of the Clio had done. The situation was exacerbated by the devaluation of the promissory notes as a result of Vernet's reduced status. On 26 August 1833, five Indian convicts and three gauchos led by Antonio Rivero embarked on

9964-461: The shelf of the islands with a deepwater project led by Rockhopper Exploration . In 2023, Rockhopper (working with Tel Aviv-listed Navitas Petroleum) indicated that it had been presented with a new development plan for its Sea Lion project that aimed to cut costs and proceed in phases. It was stated that: "If realized, the new plan – with a total price tag of $ 2.2 billion – could lead to 80,000 barrels per day of production (up to 100,000 b/d at peak) via

10070-567: The southern end of the Cockburn Channel the schooner was driven ashore by violent williwaws . Brisbane survived with his entire crew, managing to salvage three of the schooner's boats and provisions. A camp was set up on shore and then Brisbane set about organising a rescue, whilst simultaneously dealing with an increasingly mutinous crew. Seven of the crew volunteered to take the largest boat to make for Rio Negro over 1000 miles away (they succeeded and immediately volunteered to serve in

10176-409: The territory after 1833. The Falkland-born population are also descended from English and French people , Gibraltarians , Scandinavians, and South Americans. The 2016 census indicated that 43% of residents were born on the archipelago, with foreign-born residents assimilated into local culture. The legal term for the right of residence is "belonging to the islands". In 1983, full British citizenship

10282-526: The transfer of the Falklands, assuming its judgement would be accepted by the islanders. An agreement on trade ties between the archipelago and the mainland was reached in 1971 and, consequently, Argentina built a temporary airfield at Stanley in 1972. Nonetheless, Falklander dissent, as expressed by their strong lobby in the UK Parliament , and tensions between the UK and Argentina effectively limited sovereignty negotiations until 1977. Concerned at

10388-595: The two main islands. The name "Falkland" was applied to the channel by John Strong , captain of an English expedition that landed on the islands in 1690. Strong named the strait in honour of Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland , the Treasurer of the Navy who sponsored his journey. The Viscount's title originates from the town of Falkland , Scotland—the town's name probably comes from a Gaelic term referring to an "enclosure" ( lann ), but it could less plausibly be from

10494-546: The wool trade with the UK. In the first half of the 20th century, the Falklands served an important role in Britain's territorial claims to subantarctic islands and a section of Antarctica. The Falklands governed these territories as the Falkland Islands Dependencies starting in 1908 and retained them until their dissolution in 1985. The Falklands also played a minor role in the two world wars as

10600-418: Was given to Falkland Islanders under the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 . A significant population decline affected the archipelago in the 20th century, with many young islanders moving overseas in search of education, a modern lifestyle, and better job opportunities, particularly to the British city of Southampton , which came to be known in the islands as "Stanley North". In recent years,

10706-456: Was known at the time about the islands and Weddell intended to explore them for seals and to conduct a hydrographic survey. They arrived in the islands on 12 January 1823 and began sealing but with little success. Brisbane conducted a rough survey of the southern coasts of the islands and in response Weddell named the cliffs on the north point of Powell Island Brisbane's Bluff (now known as Cape Faraday ). Weddell and Brisbane sailed further south in

10812-425: Was murdered, leaving the settlement in uproar. Pinedo returned and had put down the mutiny with the assistance of the British schooner Rapid when on 3 January HMS Clio appeared off Port Louis and delivered the message that the UK intended to re-assert sovereignty over the islands. Brisbane returned to Buenos Aires in the Sarandi where he resigned as pilot. Brisbane returned to the Falklands in March 1833 aboard

10918-700: Was regarded by the US as a "nest of pirates". On 31 December 1831, the Lexington came to anchor off Port Louis, Brisbane and six others were arrested on charges of piracy, the guns of the settlement spiked and the powder magazine blown. Duncan also offered passage to any from the settlement who wished to leave, and the majority of the population took up this opportunity to leave the islands. The Lexington arrived in Montevideo on 3 February 1832, where those given passage were released, but Brisbane and six others remained as prisoners until 16 April, when they were transferred to

11024-457: Was smile of contempt or disdain very strongly marked in his countenance. They dragged his body with a horse to a considerable distance, and plundered the house. Brisbane was buried in a shallow grave. Visiting the Falklands a year later on the Beagle 's second visit to the islands, Captain Fitzroy was appalled to find that Brisbane's feet were protruding from the ground, and that dogs had fed on

11130-458: Was the master of a brig that traded between Liverpool and Quebec . Brisbane first rose to public attention though his association with James Weddell , the famous Antarctic explorer. Brisbane was the commander of the small cutter Beaufoy with a crew of thirteen; the Beaufoy being owned by Weddell. Weddell in the Jane and Brisbane in the Beaufoy left England on 17 September 1822. Weddell initially sailed for Madeira for provisions for

11236-469: Was there to look after the remains of Vernet's private property. Brisbane and Fitzroy had a natural affinity and discussed a broad range of subjects; Fitzroy notes his diary his gratitude for a great deal of information about the Falklands. However, on leaving Fitzroy expressed his concern for the settlement with its lack of regular authority in a virtually lawless group of islands. Brisbane resumed his position as Vernet's agent and with other senior members of

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