Malvinas

The Malvinas Islands, known in English as the Falkland Islands, are a remote archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, situated about 480 kilometres (300 miles) east of the coast of southern Argentina. The islands are the subject of a long-standing sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom, which culminated in the Falklands War of 1982. The name Malvinas derives from the French Îles Malouines, referring to sailors from the port of Saint-Malo who first settled there.

Geographical Overview

The Malvinas archipelago consists of two main islands—East Falkland and West Falkland—along with over 770 smaller islands and islets. Together they cover an area of approximately 12,200 square kilometres. The islands feature rugged terrain, rolling moorlands, and a cold, windy maritime climate with frequent rain and strong westerly winds.

• Capital: Stanley (on East Falkland)
• Population: About 3,600 (mostly of British descent)
• Official language: English
• Currency: Falkland Islands pound (equivalent to the British pound sterling)

The islands’ economy historically relied on sheep farming, but since the late twentieth century, it has diversified into fishing, tourism, and oil exploration.

Early Discovery and Settlement

The earliest recorded sighting of the islands dates back to the sixteenth century, though it remains unclear which European navigator first discovered them. Both Spanish and British explorers later claimed discovery rights.
The first known landing was made by John Strong, an English captain, in 1690, who named the islands after Viscount Falkland, the Treasurer of the Royal Navy. In 1764, Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French navigator, established a settlement and named the islands Îles Malouines after the sailors from Saint-Malo. The Spanish adopted this name as Islas Malvinas.
Spain acquired the islands from France in 1767 and maintained a small settlement until the early nineteenth century.

The Question of Sovereignty

The sovereignty of the Malvinas has been disputed since the early nineteenth century.

• In 1833, Britain reasserted control over the islands, expelling the small Argentine garrison that had been stationed there since Argentina’s independence from Spain.
• Argentina has since maintained that Britain’s occupation constitutes an illegal act of colonial appropriation, asserting that the islands form part of its national territory.
• The United Kingdom, on the other hand, argues that it has continuously administered the islands since 1833 and that the current population wishes to remain under British governance.

This sovereignty conflict has persisted for nearly two centuries and remains one of the most contentious territorial disputes in the modern world.

The Falklands War (1982)

Tensions between Argentina and Britain over the Malvinas escalated into armed conflict in April 1982, when Argentina’s military junta, under General Leopoldo Galtieri, invaded and occupied the islands. The Argentine government justified the invasion as a step towards reclaiming national territory.
In response, Britain dispatched a naval task force of about 100 ships to retake the islands. After intense air, sea, and land battles lasting ten weeks, British forces recaptured Stanley on 14 June 1982, and Argentina surrendered.
Casualties:

• Argentina: over 600 soldiers killed.
• United Kingdom: 255 military personnel killed.

The war ended with Britain re-establishing control, but it deeply affected both nations. In Argentina, the defeat led to the fall of the military regime and a return to democracy, while in Britain, it strengthened Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s leadership and boosted national morale.

Post-war Developments

Following the war, Britain enhanced its military presence on the islands, constructing an airbase at Mount Pleasant and improving defences. The islanders were granted British citizenship in 1983, and the Falkland Islands Government was given greater autonomy over local affairs.
Argentina, meanwhile, continues to assert its sovereignty claim through diplomatic channels and international forums. It maintains that the islands are part of its Tierra del Fuego Province, referring to them exclusively as the Islas Malvinas.
In 2013, a referendum was held in the islands, in which over 99% of residents voted to remain a British Overseas Territory. Argentina rejected the result, arguing that the inhabitants are a transplanted colonial population and therefore lack the right to self-determination under international law.

Economy and Strategic Importance

The Malvinas possess significant strategic and economic importance due to their location in the South Atlantic and potential natural resources.

• Fishing: The islands’ surrounding waters contain rich fish stocks, particularly squid, forming a key source of revenue.
• Oil Exploration: Surveys suggest the presence of offshore hydrocarbon reserves, which have attracted foreign investment, although exploration remains politically sensitive.
• Tourism: The islands attract visitors for their natural beauty, wildlife—especially penguins and seals—and historical war sites.

The islands also serve as a strategic outpost for Britain’s naval presence in the South Atlantic, offering logistical support for ships operating near Antarctica.

International Law and Diplomacy

The United Nations has recognised the dispute as a matter of decolonisation, urging both Argentina and the United Kingdom to negotiate a peaceful settlement. The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation has repeatedly passed resolutions calling for dialogue between the two nations.
However, the UK maintains that self-determination—the right of the islanders to choose their own political status—is paramount, while Argentina insists that sovereignty must first be restored before such a right can be exercised.
The disagreement remains unresolved, with diplomatic relations between the two countries often fluctuating in response to political developments and resource exploration activities.

Cultural and National Symbolism

For Argentina, the Malvinas represent a symbol of national identity and anti-colonial struggle. The phrase “Las Malvinas son argentinas” (“The Malvinas are Argentine”) is a recurring slogan in Argentine politics, education, and culture. Memorials, street names, and national observances commemorate the soldiers who fought and died in the 1982 war.
For Britain and the islanders themselves, the Falklands embody resilience, self-determination, and loyalty to British heritage. The population celebrates events such as Liberation Day (14 June), marking the end of Argentine occupation.