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Nearly 30 years on from the Falklands War, the islands are a hot topic once again as Argentina ups the sabre-rattling.

Falklander Rob Burnett fills you in on the islands...

Falklands myths debunked

1. The Falkland Islands are in Northern Scotland

Wrong. The Falkland Islands are located off the southern tip of South America, some 300 miles from the coast or Argentina.

2. There are lots of Argentineans in the Falklands.

Wrong. The population is made up of around 61 per cent Falkland Islanders (mostly of British descent), 29 per cent British, 6.5 per cent Chilean and 3.5 per cent other.

3. It is always cold and bleak

Wrong. The climate is similar to that of the UK, but with, on average, less rainfall and more hours of sunshine. The prevailing westerly wind is the most dominant characteristic of Falklands weather.

4. They cost the UK tax-payer millions of pounds to maintain.

Wrong. The Falklands are entirely financially self-sufficient, except for the cost of defence, which is only necessary in light of the threat from Argentina - the cost of which amounts to some 0.177% of the total UK defence budget.

5. The Falklands are a British colony or dependency

Wrong. The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory – and there is a crucial difference. Colonialism is an out-dated concept that suggests one large nation dominating the people of a far-off land. The Falklands are democratic and self-governing, except for matters of defence and foreign affairs, and are a British Overseas Territory by choice.

6. Everyone in the Islands is a sheep-farmer

Wrong. Before the 1982 conflict sheep farming was by far the dominant industry. Now though, the offshore fishing industry, an expanding tourism trade and a vibrant private sector contribute to the Islands economy.

7. Everyone speaks Spanish

Wrong. While there are some Spanish-speakers and it is taught in school as a second language, English is the spoken language.

Falklands Facts of Life

1. The population is around 3,000 – almost all British by birth or descent.

2. There are 500,000 sheep on the Islands.

3. There is only one town: the capital, Stanley. Other residents live in small settlements on remote farms.

4. There are no cash points, and only one bank.

5. There is no McDonalds, no Tesco, no Starbucks – in fact no chain shops or restaurants of any kind.

6. Just like in Britain, you drive on the left, there are red telephone boxes in Stanley, and the currency is the Falkland Islands pound, which is worth exactly the same as British pound sterling.

7. There are seven pubs in Stanley, but you’ll struggle to get a pint in any of them. Beer is mostly sold by bottle.

8. There is little in the way of crime – many people leave the keys in the ignition of their cars and many houses don’t even have locks on the doors.

9. There are few trees in the Islands, and those that are there have all been planted by man.

10. The Falklands is a favourite destination for wildlife fans: you will find thousands of penguins in colonies all over the archipelago, as well as a host of other birds including over 65% of the world’s black-browed albatross population, plus sea lions, elephant seals, dolphins, killer whales and much more.

11. Up to around 15 years ago, peat was the primary source of fuel for homes, with most houses having a peat burning stove in the kitchen which was used for cooking, hot water and heating. These have largely been replaced by kerosene boilers.

12. The internet was first available in 1997, with broadband following in 2006, while mobile phones were first introduced in 2005.