a group of over 100 islands in the S Atlantic: a UK Overseas Territory; invaded by Argentina, who had long laid claim to the islands, on 2 April 1982; recaptured by a British expeditionary force on 14 June 1982. Chief town: Stanley. Pop: 3140 (2008 est). Area: about 12 200 sq km (4700 sq miles)
Spanish name: Islas Malvinas
Falkland Islands in American English
(ˈfɔklənd)
British crown colony consisting of a group of islands in the S Atlantic, east of the tip of South America: also claimed by Argentina: 4,700 sq mi (12,173 sq km); pop. 2,100