Falkland Islands:
Government

Other pages in this profile of the Falkland Islands:
Geography, People, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Country name	Definition conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Dependency status	Definition overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
Government type	Definition NA
Capital	Definition name: Stanley geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April
Administrative divisions	Definition none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Independence	Definition none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
National holiday	Definition Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution	Definition 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998
Legal system	Definition English common law
Suffrage	Definition 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch	Definition chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch	Definition unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
Judicial branch	Definition Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders	Definition none; all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders	Definition Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes)
International organization participation	Definition UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US	Definition none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation from the US	Definition none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Flag description	Definition blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Falkland Islands: Government

Falkland Islands:
Government