Politics of the Falkland Islands

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Data code: FA

Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina

Government type: NA

Capital: Port 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

Legal system: English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor 9 October 1997 (next to be held NA October 2001)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is a nonresident

Political parties and leaders: none; all independents

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 in a white disk 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

See also : Falkland Islands