<P> The United Kingdom and Argentina both claim the Falkland Islands . The UK's position is that the Falklanders have not indicated a desire for change, and that there are no pending issues to resolve concerning the islands . The UK bases its position on its continuous administration of the islands since 1833 (except for 1982) and the islanders' "right to self - determination as set out in the UN Charter". Argentine policy maintains that Falkland Islanders do not have a right to self - determination, claiming that in 1833 the UK expelled Argentine authorities (and settlers) from the Falklands with a threat of "greater force" and, afterwards, barred Argentines from resettling the islands . Argentina posits that it acquired the Falklands from Spain when it achieved independence in 1816, and that the UK illegally occupied them in 1833 . </P> <P> In 2009, British prime minister Gordon Brown had a meeting with Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and said that there would be no further talks over the sovereignty of the Falklands . In March 2013, the Falkland Islands held a referendum on its political status, with 99.8 percent of voters favoured remaining under British rule . Argentina does not recognise the Falkland Islands as a partner in negotiations; consequently, it dismissed the Falkland Islands' sovereignty referendum . </P> <P> The Falkland Islands have a land area of 4,700 square miles (12,000 km) and a coastline estimated at 800 miles (1,300 km). Two main islands, West Falkland and East Falkland, and about 776 smaller islands constitute the archipelago . The islands are predominantly mountainous and hilly, with the major exception the depressed plains of Lafonia (a peninsula forming the southern part of East Falkland). The Falklands are continental crust fragments resulting from the break - up of Gondwana and the opening of the South Atlantic that began 130 million years ago . The islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean, on the Patagonian Shelf, about 300 miles (480 km) east of Patagonia in southern Argentina . </P> <P> The Falklands are situated approximately at latitude 51 ° 40 ′--53 ° 00 ′ S and longitude 57 ° 40 ′--62 ° 00 ′ W . The archipelago's two main islands are separated by the Falkland Sound, and its deep coastal indentations form natural harbours . East Falkland houses Stanley (the capital and largest settlement), the UK military base at RAF Mount Pleasant, and the archipelago's highest point: Mount Usborne, at 2,313 feet (705 m). Outside of these significant settlements is the area colloquially known as "Camp", which is derived from the Spanish term for countryside (Campo). </P>

The falkland islands are off the coast of what south american country