Currently, in order to reach the Falkland Islands, you must either take a flight from Punta Arenas, Argentina, or arrive via cruise ship in the port of Port Stanley, the islands’ only city.
When was the last time you walked with penguins? When was the last time you found yourself nearly 2000km further south than the southernmost tip of South Africa? Somewhere so remote and mystical that trees never took root? If your answer to any of these questions was ‘never’, then a trip to the Falkland Islands may be something to add to your bucket list!
The Falkland Islands are easy to miss on a map. Located off the coast of southern Argentina, the islands are about twice the size of the Greater Toronto Area, but with only 0.06% of the population at only 3,662 people. Most people who live here are native Falkland Islanders, but there is also a significant portion of the population who are British and Saint Helenian immigrants. And if Saint Helena rings a bell, that’s because it was the second and final place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte! Bonus points if you can find Saint Helena on a map!
One place you may have heard of the Falkland Islands is on the news. It has been a hotly contested landmass for over 250 years! It has been fought over by the French, the Spanish, and the British for centuries and that conflict extends to today with Argentina still asserting that it has claim to the islands. Presently, it is a self-governed British Overseas Territory where citizens speak English, pay in Pounds Sterling, hold British Passports and attend university in England for free, with tuition paid for by the Falklands government.
However, one type of bird tends to steal the show: the penguin! The Falkland Islands are home to over 1 million penguins of 6 different species. It is one of the most accessible places in the world to view penguins and, as a result, a major destination for anyone who loves these flightless birds. Although rare, you can even spot Macaroni Penguins among crowds of rockhoppers, jumping from rock to rock with both feet. Definitely a sight you do not want to miss!
As we’ve uncovered, the Falkland Islands offer a unique blend of history, culture, and remarkable wildlife, all set against a backdrop of untouched natural beauty. We hope that you enjoyed this article and look forward to continuing to inspire you as we Journey together.
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Patagonia, Argentina, Chile & the Falkland Islands
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