Westfalkland

West Falkland (Spanish Gran Malvina ) is the second largest of the Falkland Islands 4532 km ² ( 5413 km ², including the small islands ). The hilly island is separated by the Falklandsund of East Falkland. The highest point of the island is 700 m high Mount Adam.

Compared to the main island of the population is much lower with 144 inhabitants. The residents are concentrated in a few settlements on the coast. The largest town is Port Howard, where also the main runway is located. Other settlements are Albemarle, Chartres, Dunnose Head, Fox Bay, Fox Bay West, Hill Cove, Port Stephens and Roy Cove, which are connected in most cases with roads and also have airstrips and ports.

The island's economy is based mainly on sheep farming and fishing, which is operated in the two rivers Warrah and Chartres. The first settlement of Port Egmont on Saunders Iceland founded the British in 1766.

In the Falklands War in 1982, the island was to a lesser extent area of ​​operations. Most important military action and only military action on the ground was the Skirmish at Many Branch Point. It was a British SAS officer, Gavin Hamilton, died. The Royal Air Force operates two reconnaissance stations on the mountains of Mount Alice and Mount Byron. Due to the low population density, the nature of the island is still intact in large parts. West Falkland is known for its large penguin, cormorants and sea elephant colonies.