Country name
conventional long form : Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Data code FA

Dependency status dependent territory of the UK

Government type NA

National capital Stanley

Administrative divisions none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Constitution 3 October 1985

Legal system English common law

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state : Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Richard RALPH (since 29 January 1996)
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council,two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), andthe governor
elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen

Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats, 8 elected; members are electedby popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held NA October 1993 (next was to be held NA October 1998)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8

Judicial branch Supreme Court, chief justice is non-resident

Political parties and leaders NA

International organization participation ICFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US none (dependent territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag description blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and theFalkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half ofthe flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered theislands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

NOTE: The information regarding Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.