The Falkland Islands, also called the Malvinas, are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located 300 miles (483 kilometres) from the coast of South America. They consist of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, together with about 700 smaller islands. Stanley, on East Falkland, is the capital and largest city. The islands are a self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, but have been the subject of a claim to sovereignty by Argentina since the early years of Argentina's independence.

In 1982 the islands were invaded by Argentina, precipitating the two-month-long undeclared Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom, which resulted in the defeat and withdrawal of Argentine forces. Since the war there has been strong economic growth in both fisheries and tourism.

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The islands are referred to in the English language as "^* Falkland Islands". This name dates from an expedition led by John Strong in 1690, who named the islands after his patron, Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland. The Spanish name for the islands, "Islas Malvinas", is derived from the French name "ÃŽles Malouines", bestowed in 1764 by Louis Antoine de Bougainville, after the mariners and fishermen from the Breton port of Saint-Malo who became the island's first known human settlers.

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L.A. Times - Latin America

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Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
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World Briefing
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
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Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
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Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
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Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Airport and federal officials have made adjustments in the international terminal after an elevator mechanic was arrested on suspicion of helping illegal immigrants enter the country. Airport officials and federal authorities said Thursday that they have tightened security at Los Angeles International Airport because of the recent arrest of an elevator mechanic suspected of smuggling illegal immigrants into the United States.

UN News Centre - Americas

UN rushing aid to Caribbean nations hit hard by severe weather
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations is providing assistance to a number of countries in the Caribbean that have been badly affected by recent severe weather, particularly Haiti which has been the worst hit, the world body's top humanitarian official said today.
Emergency aid expected to reach stranded Haitians, says UN agency
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations food agency expects to be able to send emergency assistance today to Haitians stranded in the flooded northern city of Gonaïves, which was battered by Tropical Storm Hanna on Monday night.
Floating clinic brings vital health care to Ecuador's refugee communities - UN
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Isolated communities living in northern Ecuador are now able to receive urgently-needed health care thanks to a new floating clinic launched with the help of the United Nations refugee agency.

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