II.

The Land

Geologically, the Falkland Islands are a part of Patagonia in Argentina, being connected with the mainland by a raised submarine plateau. East Falkland is divided by two deep fiords and is traversed in the north by Wickham Heights, which rise on Mount Usborne to 705 m (2,312 ft) above sea level. The remainder of the terrain is low and rolling, forming either marshlands or grazing pastures. West Falkland is hilly, especially in the east, where the Hornby Mountains (including Mount Adam, 700 m/2,297 ft above sea level) extend parallel to Falkland Sound. The low-lying areas of the Falklands are composed of clay, slate, and soft sandstone, and the hills and ridges are formed of hard sandstone and white quartzite. Some galena, with a high percentage of silver, is found on the islands. Fine white sand, suitable for glassmaking, and fairly large peat deposits are also located here. The temperature varies from an average of 2.8° C (37° F) in the winter to 8.3° C (47° F) in the summer. The humidity is constantly high, with rainfall approximately 250 days of the year, November being the only nearly dry month. The Falklands are to a large extent windswept, and the terrain is almost devoid of trees. Attempts at large-scale tree planting have not met with success. The shores of the main islands are deeply indented, providing numerous sheltered harbours. A lighthouse is maintained at Cape Pembroke, East Falkland, near Stanley (population, 1989 estimate, 1,329), the chief town and main port. An airport is located near Stanley. The population of the islands as a whole (1991) is 2,121.