| Country name |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: falkland islands (islas malvinas) |
| 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 howard pearce (since 3 december 2002); chief executive chris simpkins (since na march 2003); financial secretary derek 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 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 |