Country Name: conventional long form: none; conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Dependency Status: overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina

Government Type: NA

Capital: Stanley

Administrative Divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

National Holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Constitution: 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998

Legal System: English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952). elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch. head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); Financial Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA). cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor

Legislative Branch: unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor. elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005). election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8; note - 71% voter turnout

Judicial Branch: 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: none; all independents

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders: none

International Organization Participation: ICFTU

Diplomatic Representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Diplomatic Representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Flag Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is 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