Blue: Argentina, Red: Britain, Dark Red: Falklands Islands
Where are the Falkland Islands?
The Falklands Islands are a collection of 778 islands in South America, the two largest being EastFalkland Island and WestFalkland Island. The islands contain little to attract settlers; large rocks and hills dominate the otherwise baron landscape; even trees had to be introduced. The islands do not have any dangerous wildlife.
At the time of the conflict the islands had total inhabitants of just under 2 500. The islands were not important to either nation which makes the reasoning for the whole conflict baffling. As Ronald Reagan argued on the outbreak of war, why would two nations fight over "an ice cold bunch of rocks" with their entire armed forces, including 30000 service personnel.
The answer lies in soveriegnty. In essence the economic value of the islands was irrelevant and both nations believed so strongly in their claim to ownership of the islands that they were willing to fight for it.
The Falklands Islands capital city 'Port Stanley'
The Falkland Islands are famous for their penguins that nest there and on the nearby island of South Georgia