The Falkland Islands swarm with subantarctic wildlife, ranging from tiny tussac birds to penguins and gigantic marine mammals. The beaches, headlands and rolling moorlands of the Falkland Islands (or Las Islas Malvinas, as they are known in Argentina, which lays claim to them) are reminiscent of northern Scotland.
The islands are increasingly prosperous thanks to a thriving squid fishery and are far removed from the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina that dramatically—albeit temporarily—ended their quiet isolation. Also, with improved communications, a steady stream of cruise-ship passengers and independent travelers are making their way to a scenic archipelago whose population of kelpers (as natives of the Falkland Islands are known) is ready to greet them. Tourism is now the islands' principal source of revenue.
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