Falkland Islands 5-PENCE (KM4.2)¶
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Reverse BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
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Obverse Queen Elizabeth II
- Composition
- Copper-Nickel
- Country
- Falkland Islands
- Approx. Size
- 18mm
- Area
- South America
- Animal Class
- Birds
- Species
- Black-browed Albatross
- KM#
- 4
There are 13 species of Albatross, and the Black-browed Albatross is the smallest. Still, it is a large bird (the largest seabird in the Falklands) with a wingspan up to 200 cm. This amazing bird can easily cover a territory up to 900 km in diameter in its search for food. They can fly for thousands of kilometers without landing. They do this by gliding for many kilometers at a time without flapping their wings. On the islands, where up to 85% of these birds live, they are known as the Mollymawk.
Falkland Islands¶
- Area
- South America
The Falkland Islands are located on the continental shelf off the east coast of the tip of South America. There are two main islands, called East Falkland and West Falkland and a bunch of other smaller islands. France, Spain, the UK and Argentina have tussled over ownership of the islands since they were discovered over 400 years ago. Pretty much all of them claimed to have discovered them first. France and Spain dropped out of the ring long ago, leaving the UK in possession and Argentina claiming their sovereignty over the islands.Argentina occupied the islands in 1982, leading to a month long war with the UK before they surrendered. Since the war, British military spending has become a major part of the Falkland Islands economy, along with farming and fishing. As of 2003 the population was less than 3,000 people. Reportedly, most of these people wish to remain British citizens. Many areas of the island are still filled with land mines and ordnance from the Falkland War. If you visit, be sure to pick up a free map from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) office in Stanley, West Falkland, detailing where not to step.
